In the premium Indian spirits market, the standard 42.8% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) is no longer the ceiling for enthusiasts. As Indian single malts dominate the global stage, "Cask Strength" expressions – bottled without dilution – have become the gold standard for those seeking the strongest whiskey in India.
This guide explores the highest alcohol percentage whisky in India, meticulously updated for 2026.
The "Strength" of a whisky is determined by the highest abv whiskey in India that a distillery can produce while maintaining flavor. In India's tropical climate, the "Angel's Share" (evaporation) is high, but so is the concentration of sugars and oils. This results in high alcohol whisky that feels richer and more viscous than its lower-proof counterparts.
Under the updated FSSAI Alcoholic Beverage Regulations (2026), whiskies above 42.8% are categorized as high-strength spirits, with specific labeling requirements to ensure consumer safety.
Rank | Whisky Name | Type | Alcohol Percentage (ABV) |
1 | Amrut Peated Cask Strength | Single Malt | 62.8% |
2 | Amrut Cask Strength | Single Malt | 61.8% |
3 | Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2025 | Single Malt | 58.5% |
4 | Paul John Mithuna | Single Malt | 58.0% |
5 | Indri Dru | Single Malt | 57.2% |
6 | Paul John Peated Select Cask | Single Malt | 55.5% |
7 | Paul John Classic Select Cask | Single Malt | 55.2% |
8 | Rampur Jugalbandi #3 | Single Malt | 54.8% |
9 | Single Malt | 50.0% | |
10 | Paul John Kanya | Single Malt | 50.0% |
Consistently holding the crown for the highest alcohol percentage whisky in India, this Bangalore icon is a powerhouse. The 62.8% ABV delivers a massive hit of peat smoke balanced by the sweetness of Indian six-row barley. It is often cited as the definitive strongest whiskey in India.
While early previews suggested a round 60%, the final 2025/2026 market release of this Marsala Cask Finish was bottled at 58.5% ABV. It remains one of the most decorated whiskies globally and a prime example of a maximum alcohol percentage in whisky that doesn't compromise on elegance.
From the shores of Goa, Mithuna is part of Paul John’s Zodiac series. At 58%, it is a sophisticated highest alcohol percentage whiskey that offers a creamy mouthfeel with notes of licorice and orange peel.
Dru (meaning "wood" in Sanskrit) is matured in ex-bourbon casks. The 57.2% ABV provides a significant "zing" on the palate, making it a favorite for those who track the highest abv whiskey in India for home collections.
Radico Khaitan’s Rampur distillery uses a unique "Jugalbandi" (duet) of casks. The Port Cask finish (Series #3) sits at 54.8%, offering a dark, fruity intensity that holds up exceptionally well against its high alcohol content.
Choosing the highest alcohol whisky in India is about more than just the numbers on the label; it is about the intensity of the experience. High-ABV whiskies preserve the natural oils that are often stripped away during chill-filtration in standard 40-42.8% bottlings.
Expert Tip: When drinking the strongest whiskey in India, add a teaspoon of room-temperature water. This "breaks" the surface tension of the alcohol, allowing the trapped esters to escape and revealing complex aromas of fruit and spice that the high ABV might otherwise mask.
