Whisky holds a special place in the hearts of Indians, and among the many brands available, McDowell’s No.1, which is crafted near Nashik, Maharashtra, stands out as one of the oldest and most successful. With a rich heritage dating back decades, this whisky has maintained its position as a trusted companion at celebrations and everyday moments alike. Known for its smooth yet distinctive taste, McDowell’s No.1 continues to capture the spirit of India. From price to variants, here's everything about McDowell’s that you should know.
McDowell’s No.1 Whisky holds a strong legacy, originating from a Scottish entrepreneur’s brand that evolved under Indian ownership. It is today the world’s largest-selling whisky brand by volume. The brand is renowned for its smooth taste, rich texture, and balanced flavor profile.
Rooted in India’s spirits industry, McDowell’s No.1 Whisky has a very rich history. In 1826, Angus McDowell, a Scottish entrepreneur, established McDowell and Company in India. That is how the brand got its name. This company was acquired by Vittal Mallya’s United Breweries (UB) Group in 1951.
Mallya established the first distillery at Cherthala, Kerala, in 1959. He pioneered the Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) category. In 1963-64, McDowell’s No.1 began as a brandy brand and later in 1968 was launched as a whisky brand. This whisky was a blend of Indian malt whiskies and imported Scotch.
McDowell’s No.1 grew to become the largest umbrella spirits brand worldwide over the decades. In this period, it expanded into many spirits, including rum, and also became a part of the United Spirits Limited, a Diageo subsidiary. The brand, today, is known for its strong presence in both Indian and global markets.
McDowell’s No.1 Whisky is known for its rich and vibrant character and mellow taste profile. It offers fresh aromas of oak, vanilla, and caramel, which lead to a soft palate. The flavor notes include dried fruits, butterscotch, honey, toffee, and a tinge of spice. It is beautifully complemented by tinges of baking spices, pear, and green apple.
This whisky offers a slightly creamy texture. It is smooth with balanced earthiness and maltiness that help in adding a little extra depth. McDowell’s No.1 Whisky offers a finish that is lingering, smooth, and warm. It has sweet and spicy notes that later lighten down to hints of cinnamon, white pepper, and cocoa. Hence, the whisky is perfect for sipping neat, on the rocks, or for making classic cocktails.
McDowell’s No.1 Whisky is crafted at one of India’s largest distilleries located near Nashik, Maharashtra. The grains are selected carefully, primarily malted barley and sometimes other grains, to begin the production process.
All the ingredients are then soaked and fermented for about 72 hours. This helps in developing a fruity profile. After this, the liquid is distilled using copper pot stills. This helps in bringing smoothness to the whisky. The brand is a blend of Indian malt and grain whiskies, which are partly matured in oak casks. Ex-bourbon, virgin oak, and even wine casks are the casks in which whiskies are matured.
McDowell’s No.1 Whisky is bottled at an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 42.8%.
McDowell’s No.1 Whisky | Mumbai | Delhi | Bangalore |
180 ml | ~INR 170 | ~INR 150 | ~INR 235 |
375 ml | ~INR 340 | ~INR 260 | ~INR 480 |
750 ml | ~INR 680 | ~INR 480 | ~INR 960 |
Indians have a deep affection for whisky, making it one of the nation's favorite spirits. McDowell’s No.1 Whisky, among all the whiskies, has been a staple in Indian households for decades. What are your thoughts about it? Have you ever tried it? Let us know!
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