In what can be considered a milestone achievement for the Indian spirits industry, Amrut Expedition – 15-year-old single malt has bagged the title of the ‘Third Finest Whisky in the World’ by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible for 2025-2026. This accomplishment marks only the second time in history that an Indian whisky has achieved this distinction – the first time was also by an Amrut expression!
Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2025-26 has named India’s Amrut Expedition, the 15-year-old Single Malt, as the ‘Third Finest Whisky in the World.’ This prestigious achievement has placed Amrut Distilleries on the global map yet again, standing alongside reputed whisky producers from Japan, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States.
While the achievement is monumental, it is only the second time in history that an Indian whisky has earned this title. The first distinction was given to Amrut Fusion in 2009! This momentous achievement did not only put Amrut on the global map but also showed the caliber of Indian spirits on a global stage.
Amrut Distilleries was founded in 1948 in Bangalore by the late JN Radhakrishna Rao Jagdale. The brand takes its name from the word ‘amrut’, a mystical, elixir-like drink mentioned extensively in Hindu mythology. Neelakanta Rao Jagdale joined the company in 1972 and is often credited with spearheading the movement of premiumization of Indian whisky.
Today, Rakshit N Jagdale has taken over the reins of the family business – in fact, we had the opportunity to strike a heartfelt conversation with the third-generation owner of Amrut Distilleries!
The whisky launched in India in 2010, before which it was available only outside India (2004 to 2010). Despite initially starting its business abroad, Amrut is proudly 100% Indian. The journey of each bottle begins in the fertile lands of northwest India, specifically Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Rajasthan. High-quality barley is sourced and malted near Delhi before it makes its way to Bangalore. The city has a stable climate, making it ideal for the aging and maturation of the whisky expressions produced by Amrut Distilleries.
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Jim Murray is a renowned name in the global whisky industry. The internationally-acclaimed author and whisky critic is celebrated for his discerning taste and critique. He began curating an annual list of the world’s finest whiskies, starting in 2003, through his Whisky Bible. Tasting thousands of whiskies each year and shortlisting and assessing them, he provides an honest, independent, and constructive critique.
In Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2025-2026, Amrut Distilleries’ Amrut Expedition 15-year-old Single Malt Whisky has earned a coveted distinction. It has been named the Third Finest Whisky in the World’, a pathbreaking achievement not just for Amrut’s expressions but also Indian single malts.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Amrut Distilleries, the brand launched India’s oldest and most expensive single malt titled Amrut Expedition in February 2025. The whisky has been aged for 15 years, and only 75 bottles have been made available. Each of these 75 bottles have been priced at INR 10.5 lakh per bottle, making them the most expensive single malts in India!
Amrut Expedition stands out for its maturation process. The whisky is first aged for eight years in European sherry casks, after which it is aged in American ex-bourbon casks for the next seven years. This unique maturation process adds a significant depth and complexity to the whisky. With an alcohol by volume of 62.8%, Amrut Expedition has been launched in India, the US, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Singapore, and Australia. However, it will have limited availability, with more than 60% of the 75 bottles already pre-booked at the time of its launch.
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The Amrut Expedition from the House of Amrut Distilleries is a decadent, 15-year-old expression that continues to win global recognition. Now, it has been named the world’s third finest whisky according to Jim Murray’s annual Whisky Bible. It is India’s most expensive and oldest single malt whisky and is representing Indian whisky on the global map unlike any of its competitors.
