While most Indian whiskies hover around 42.8% ABV (alcohol by volume), a new wave of premium single malts is pushing those limits. High-proof whiskies – especially cask-strength releases – are gaining popularity among connoisseurs who crave bold flavors, richer textures, and an authentic dram straight from the barrel.
In this curated 2025 list, we explore the top 10 Indian whiskies with the highest ABV, based on verified bottle releases, tasting panels, and award-winning profiles.
What Is Alcohol By Volume?
ABV or alcohol by volume is the standard measurement for how much pure alcohol there is in a given volume of an alcoholic drink. This measurement is expressed as a percentage. ABV is different for different kinds of spirits. Which means that beer, gin, vodka, etc all have different levels of alcohol content. The higher the ABV, the more ‘potent’ and ‘stronger’ it is. Whereas, the lower the ABV, the less ‘potent’ and ‘weaker’ it is.
For beer, ABV is typically around 4 to 6% and for wine it is about 12 to 15%. For spirits like whisky and vodka, ABV starts at about 30 to 35% and can go as high as 50% or even 60%.
High ABV Whiskies in India
1. Indri-Trini DRU Cask Strength – 57.2% ABV
- Distillery: Piccadilly Distilleries (Haryana)
- Tasting Notes: Caramel, spice, and toasted oak
- Why It Stands Out: Currently the strongest whisky made in India, Indri DRU was awarded Best World Whisky 2025 at the Miami Global Spirit Awards. It’s non-chill filtered and bottled straight from ex-bourbon casks.
2. Paul John Single Cask Select Series – ~57% ABV
- Distillery: John Distilleries (Goa)
- Tasting Notes: Tropical fruit, vanilla, dark chocolate
- Why It Stands Out: These small-batch, limited releases vary by cask but regularly hit the 56–57% ABV mark. Each bottle has a unique cask number and aging story.
3. Rampur Jugalbandi No. 6 (Madeira Cask) – 55.8% ABV
- Distillery: Radico Khaitan (Uttar Pradesh)
- Tasting Notes: Raisins, nuts, caramel, spice
- Why It Stands Out: This is the highest ABV from Rampur’s Jugalbandi series and showcases masterful finishing in rare Madeira casks.
4. Paul John Mithuna (Select Bottlings) – Up to 58% ABV
- Distillery: John Distilleries (Goa)
- Tasting Notes: Liquorice, coffee, honeycomb
- Why It Stands Out: Limited-release editions of Mithuna, part of Paul John’s Zodiac series, have crossed 58% ABV. It was also featured in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible.
5. Amrut Fusion X (Limited Edition) – ~50% ABV
- Distillery: Amrut Distilleries (Bangalore)
- Tasting Notes: Dried fruits, spice, oak
- Why It Stands Out: Fusion X takes the classic Fusion up a notch, celebrating Amrut’s anniversary with higher ABV and special decanters.
6. Amrut Kurinji Indian Single Malt – 50–51% ABV
- Distillery: Amrut Distilleries (Bangalore)
- Tasting Notes: Floral notes, berries, citrus peel
- Why It Stands Out: Inspired by the blue Kurinji flower that blooms once every 12 years, this limited malt was awarded Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025.
7. Paul John Port Cask / Oloroso / PX Cask – ~52–53% ABV
- Distillery: John Distilleries (Goa)
- Tasting Notes: Red berries, leather, cocoa
- Why It Stands Out: Cask-finished variants like Port or Pedro Ximénez casks push ABVs higher while imparting complex dessert-like flavors.
8. Rampur Asava or IPA Cask Finish – ~52–53% ABV
- Distillery: Radico Khaitan (Uttar Pradesh)
- Tasting Notes: Malt, citrus zest, tropical hops
- Why It Stands Out: Known for innovation, Rampur’s special finish editions have climbed above 52% ABV, especially their export-strength versions.
9. Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt – 45% ABV
- Distillery: Radico Khaitan
- Tasting Notes: Honey, dry fruits, American oak
- Why It Stands Out: While not cask strength, it stands taller than most commercial Indian whiskies in ABV and complexity. A great entry into Rampur’s portfolio.
10. Godawan 01 ‘Rich & Rounded’ (Limited Editions) – Up to 50% ABV
- Distillery: Diageo India (Rajasthan)
- Tasting Notes: Dates, sandalwood, spice
- Why It Stands Out: Godawan has started releasing special-edition whiskies at higher ABVs targeting collectors and enthusiasts.
Summing Up
India’s whisky scene in 2025 is not just about volume – it’s about character. The rising popularity of cask-strength whiskies like Indri DRU, Paul John, and Rampur Jugalbandi proves that Indian distillers are moving into serious global territory.
Whether you're a seasoned sipper or a bold beginner, these high-ABV whiskies offer depth, complexity, and a rare chance to experience whisky in its most unfiltered form. Just remember – sip slowly and enjoy responsibly.
FAQs
What Does 5% ABV Stand For?
5% ABV means that 5% of the total drink volume consists of pure alcohol. ABV is a standard measure used to measure the alcohol level of beverages and indicate their strength.
Is Higher ABV Better?
Higher ABV doesn’t necessarily mean that the alcohol is ‘better’. However, it does mean that the alcohol has more potency due to a high alcohol content.
Is Vodka Stronger Than Whiskey?
There is no definite answer to this question because it depends on the ABV of individual vodka and whiskey expressions. Most vodka brands and whiskey brands keep their ABV at around the same level, i.e. 40% to 50%.
