India’s growing dominance in the premium single malt category has just received another golden endorsement. DeVANS GianChand Manshaa has been crowned International Whisky of the Year 2025 at the prestigious Meininger’s International Spirits Award (ISW) in Germany. Not only did it secure the coveted Grand Gold – awarded to only 11 of the 450 spirits evaluated – but it also became the only Indian whisky to earn this honour, outshining celebrated labels from Scotland, Ireland, the USA, and beyond.
The Meininger’s International Spirits Award (ISW) is considered one of the most respected competitions in the global liquor industry, with a jury of seasoned experts blind-tasting and evaluating hundreds of entries. The Grand Gold distinction is reserved for spirits that demonstrate exceptional balance, complexity, and character.
In 2025, GianChand Manshaa didn’t just claim a spot among these elite few – it took home the fiercely contested title of International Whisky of the Year, proving that Indian distilling is more than capable of holding its own against long-established whisky-making nations.
GianChand Manshaa marks a bold step for DeVANS as its first-ever peated single malt, introducing a smoky, complex flavour profile that has captivated both judges and whisky enthusiasts. The ISW jury described it as offering “long medicinal peat smoke, perfectly framed by citrus and spicy flavours.”
International whisky authority Jim Murray, author of The Whisky Bible, praised its “charming smokiness, with peat in sparkling form” – a rare compliment that underscores its finesse.
Crafted in the foothills of Jammu, GianChand Manshaa draws its distinct character from a combination of pure Himalayan spring water, a unique mountain microclimate, and time-honoured distilling techniques. The whisky is matured in carefully selected oak casks, allowing the peat to integrate seamlessly with bright citrus notes and warm spice.
This terroir-driven approach, combined with DeVANS’s meticulous attention to detail, gives Manshaa a flavour profile unlike any other Indian whisky currently on the market.
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The ISW win is only one part of DeVANS’s remarkable awards streak in 2025. At the International Whisky Competition (IWC) in Las Vegas, the brand’s other flagship single malt – GianChand Adambaraa – won Best Indian Single Malt Whisky 2025 and Best Indian Whisky of the Year 2025.
While Manshaa is bold, smoky, and peated, Adambaraa is refined, elegant, and unpeated, giving DeVANS a versatile portfolio that caters to diverse whisky palates.
For now, both GianChand Manshaa and GianChand Adambaraa are available exclusively in Delhi and Hyderabad duty-free stores, priced at around INR 9,500 for a 750 ml bottle. The brand has confirmed that retail availability in Haryana and Goa is on the horizon – news that will please collectors and enthusiasts alike.
DeVANS Chairman & Managing Director Prem Dewan called the award “a great recognition of our passion, craft, and commitment to quality, and a reflection of India’s expanding role in the global perspective.”
Indeed, this milestone is more than just a win for DeVANS – it’s a sign of the changing dynamics in the global spirits market. Indian single malts, once considered niche, are now attracting serious attention from critics and connoisseurs worldwide.
The rise of GianChand Manshaa is not just a triumph for DeVANS but a symbol of India’s evolving whisky identity – bold, world-class, and rooted in its own terroir. By claiming the International Whisky of the Year 2025 title, DeVANS has proven that Indian distillers can craft spirits that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best in the world.
With Manshaa’s smoky charm and Adambaraa’s refined elegance, DeVANS isn’t just making whisky – it’s making history.
