Nothing compares to a comforting glass of whiskey – whether you’re toasting to a win, dealing with heartbreak, or simply surviving another bad day at work. In India, whiskey isn’t just a drink; it’s an emotion loved by millions of people. From smooth single malts to bold blended whiskies, here is the team unsobered rounding up the top whiskey brands in India! Worry not, there’s a bottle out there for every mood and budget!
Premium, high-quality whisky
Amrut Fusion is a celebrated single malt whisky made by Amrut Distilleries in Bangalore. Since its launch in 2009, the brand has only gained international acclaim for its unique craftsmanship and complex flavor profile. The Amrut Fusion is a complex, spiced, and subtly fruit-flavored whisky with a light hint of smoke. So, when are you trying out this award-winning whisky?
Price: INR 5200 for 750 ml in Mumbai
Premium, high-quality whisky
From the shores of Goa comes an award-winning selection of malts – welcome, Paul John! Established in 1996, John Distilleries has emerged as a global leader hailing from the Indian soil. Goa’s tropical climate makes it a perfect destination for the brand’s whiskey expressions that are oh-so-rich, velvety, and flavorful, plus they are aged in ex-bourbon casks! The company owns a robust portfolio of brands across various categories, including whiskies, rums, gin, and brandy, among others.
Price: Starting INR 3,295 onwards in Mumbai
Affordable yet good quality
Royal Stag is a popular name in the Indian spirits market and has a rich legacy in India. The whisky, produced by Pernod Ricard, is known for its smooth blend and rich heritage. It combines an immaculate blend of imported Scotch malts and Indian grain spirits, assuring you a premium mouthfeel in every sip. Its balanced flavors and pocket-friendly prices make it a go-to whisky for beginners and consumers who value affordability.
Price: Starting INR 250 onwards in Mumbai
With a rich legacy comes a great responsibility of serving premium quality drinks consistently. And Black Dog Reserve has been capable of doing that for years. A distinguished name in the Indian spirits market, Black Dog Reserve began in 1883 in Scotland and has been marketed in India since 1992. Decades later, it is one of the most respected whisky brands in the country, known for its diverse portfolio and premium-looking and rich-in-taste offerings. Which one do you wish to try?
Price: INR 650 onwards in Mumbai
Next on our list of top 10 brands of whiskey in India is a brand that needs no introduction – thanks to its iconic blue packaging and countless marketing campaigns. Imperial Blue, owned by Pernod Ricard, is known for its exceptional smoothness achieved by blending Indian grain spirits and imported malts. Its taste alone hasn’t contributed to the success of the brand in India – its marketing campaigns, particularly the ‘Men Will Be Men’ ads, go down as some of the most iconic advertising campaigns in recent years. Pair it with affordable prices and accessibility, and you have a brand that is known in almost every Indian household.
Price: INR 220 onwards in Mumbai
Launched in 1994 by United Spirits Limited, Signature has emerged as one of the top 10 whiskey brands in India. This classic Indian blend whiskey with a velvety texture and notes of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of spice is the perfect drink to have on almost any occasion. Be it an intimate brunch with friends or a day alone with your furry friends, a hearty glass of Signature whiskey is all you need. Even if you didn’t need it, here’s your cue to get your hands on this Indian whiskey!
Price: INR 340 onwards in Mumbai
Sterling Reserve is a range of premium and semi-premium whiskies produced by Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD). The Sterling Reserve portfolio includes the Sterling Reserve B7, as well Reserve B10 as well as the Sterling Reserve B7 Rare Blend, and the Sterling Reserve B7 Cola Classic Mix. The range of premium whiskies is affordable and accessible, and definitely a good choice for those looking for a premium experience on a budget.
Price: INR 190 onwards in Mumbai
Bagpiper is a household name in the world of Indian whisky. Manufactured by United Spirits and launched in 1976, the brand is known for its whiskey with a characteristic light, malty aroma and a hint of a smooth woody character. The whiskey is also matured in pre-identified American oak casks that lend it its signature taste and texture. Serve it on the rocks or swirl it up in a delicious cocktail. Bagpiper Whisky is one of those reliable whiskies that you can always go back to after a long day of work.
Price: INR 170 onwards in Mumbai
With a legacy that traces itself to 1824, The Glenlivet is one of the most famous whiskies in the world today. It is made in the Scottish Highlands and uses mineral water from the Cairngorms National Park. Distilled in traditional stills and matured in oak casks, The Glenlivet is matured in oak casks and which lends it a distinct, smooth, and refined flavor. Now part of the Pernod Ricard group since 2001, The Glenlivet is a delicious whiskey that you can’t get enough of!
Price: INR 4965 onwards in Mumbai
From the foothills of the Himalayas comes a luxurious Indian single malt that has taken the global whisky scene by storm – Rampur Indian Single Malt. Produced by Radico Khaitan, one of India’s oldest distilleries, Rampur is aged in the extreme terroir of North India, which accelerates the maturation process and gives the whisky a rich, fruity, and oaky profile with a hint of spice. Smooth on the palate with notes of tropical fruits, honey, and dried apricots, Rampur is a whisky best enjoyed slowly, neat, and in good company. Perfect for connoisseurs who enjoy elegance in a glass as well as premium whiskey consumers!
Price: INR 8600 onwards in Mumbai
Did you take note of these top 10 best whiskey brands in India? Be it the silky smooth Signature whiskey or the premium Amrut Fusion, these best whiskey brands are some of the best whiskey brands you can find in India. Plus, we’ve listed out options for you in every budget, be it pocket-friendly whiskies or ultra-premium ones. So, which one do you plan to buy?
