The growth that homegrown spirits and liquor of India have seen over the last few years is nothing short of remarkable. India went from being the world’s largest volume market for IMFL (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor) to a world-class producer of internationally celebrated single malts. Today, our country offers a wide range of whisky types for all kinds of whisky enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for accessible molasses-assisted everyday blends or for 100 percent two-row malted barley single malts, India now offers it all. For any curious mind looking to try the best of what India has to offer when it comes to whisky, this unsobered guide will surely prove to be indispensable.
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Indri whisky is matured in three distinct casks: ex-Bourbon, ex-French Wine, and ex-PX Sherry. Each cask adds a layer of flavor and fragrance that marry beautifully with each other. This particular whisky is fruit-forward and has notes of dried raisins, vanilla, and subtle oak.
Distillery Location: Haryana
Which Ones To Try: Indri Trini, Indri Agneya (Peated).
Price: INR 3,500 onwards (Mumbai), INR 3,400 onwards (Delhi)
On the list of original whisky trailblazers of India, Amrut arguably stands at the top. It is known for blending Indian barley with peated Scottish barley for a complex spice and smoke balance.
Distillery Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Which Ones To Try: Amrut Fusion, Amrut Indian Single Malt.
Price: INR 5,500 onwards (Mumbai), INR 4,290 onwards (Delhi)
Paul John whisky delivers an unpeated profile that has honeyed and sweet notes. In addition to this, it also delivers heavily peated Islay-style expressions that offer a wildly different, earthy flavor profile. It is coastal-aged in Goa, which adds certain unique dimensions to the whisky.
Distillery Location: Goa
Which Ones To Try: Paul John Brilliance, Paul John Port Select Cask.
Price: INR 3,475 onwards (Mumbai), INR 2,690 onwards (Delhi)
Also Read: Ladyburn 58-Year-Old Scotch: The Story Behind The $301,624 Whisky
Any whisky connoisseur worth their salt would easily concede that this is easily one of the most elegant whiskies that India has to offer. With a wine-cask finish and Speyside-like smoothness, Rampur’s premium price tag is a reflection of the intricacy of its distillation process, which takes place in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Distillery Location: Uttar Pradesh
Which Ones To Try: Rampur Select, Rampur Asava (Indian Cabernet Sauvignon cask finish).
Price: INR 12,500 onwards (Mumbai), INR 7,210 onwards (Delhi)
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Godawan is a brilliant desert-matured whisky. It utilizes local Indian botanicals and arid maturation conditions to yield roasted nut and date profiles. The dimension that the whisky gets owing to its desert terroir is unparalleled.
Distillery Location: Rajasthan
Price: INR 4,135 onwards (Mumbai), INR 5,400 onwards (Delhi)
Another whisky with an elevated, more complex expression of the classic Blenders Pride, this whisky offers dark honey aromas, toasted maltiness, and subtle peat smoke. The smoke is derived from reserve Scottish malt concentrates that have been blended with grain spirits.
Distillery Location: Kolkata, Maharashtra
Which Ones To Try: Blenders Pride Rare Select, Blenders Pride Reserve Collection
Price: INR 1,600 onwards (Mumbai), INR 1,240 onwards (Delhi)
Royal Ranthambore Heritage Collection is inspired by the tigers of Ranthambore. The spirit has a rich, sweet nose of honey, vanilla, burnt butter, and roasted almonds. When it comes to the palate, this spirit manages to deliver a creamy mouthfeel dominated by custard, vanilla shortbread, and subtle citrus notes.
Distillery Location: Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
Which Ones To Try: Royal Ranthambore Heritage Collection Royal Reserve (housed in an iconic tall, heavy-bottomed crystal-cut bottle).
Price: INR 2,700 onwards (Mumbai), INR 1,410 onwards (Delhi)
Note: The prices listed here are as of the date of publication, collated from online sources like Livcheers. Please note that the prices are subject to change without prior notice.
Also Read: American Whiskey Vs Canadian Whisky: Key Differences Explained
Whiskies distilled in India have seen significant improvement throughout the manufacturing process. The spirit is no longer defined merely by volume, but rather, it has earned a permanent place for itself among the global luxury spirits table. The list of whiskies mentioned here is absolutely a must-try for those looking to sample what India has to offer in premium spirits. Upon sampling, it is not very difficult to understand why India is so rapidly becoming one of the biggest producers of premium spirits in the world. The terroir of India has really done wonders for the uniqueness of the flavor profile of any whisky distiller.
