In what can only be described as a dawn of a new era in the chronology of whisky, India seems to be emerging as a hotbed for some truly remarkable and, yes, award winning whisky brands. Without going into hyperbolic overdrive, it is safe to say that Indian whiskies have garnered significant international recognition in recent years, with several indigenously produced whisky brands leading the charge.
This mercurial rise of Indian whisky can be attributed to a combination of craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and a commitment to excellence. Several Indian distilleries are now winning prestigious awards at international spirits competitions, further solidifying the country’s reputation and prowess as a whisky producer.
Moreover, the growing interest in craft spirits and premium offerings has paved the way for Indian whiskies to enter global markets, where they are increasingly featured in bars and private collections. As more of us seek out unique, diverse and luxurious drinking experiences, Indian whiskies are surely carving out a significant niche, blending tradition with modern techniques.
Here’s our curated list of the top five game-changing whiskies from India you need to try.
Indri Drú Cask Strength
We simply couldn’t kick-start a list like this without the much-fêted Indri Drú Cask Strength from Piccadily Distilleries in Patiala, Punjab. Having recently been awarded the prestigious title of ‘Whisky of The Year’ at the USA Spirit Rating Awards 2024, this monumental win for Indri Drú Cask Strength not only sets a new standard of excellence, but also firmly places India at the forefront of the global whisky industry, surpassing both international and domestic Indian competitors.
Additionally, it has earned a coveted spot in the ‘Top 15 Whiskies of the Year’ at the 2024 International Whisky Competition, further augmenting its status as a world-class spirit. Imbued with a strong cask influence, this whisky has a punchy, oily mouthfeel, and a medium to long finish. We’d describe it as a lovely, balanced whisky with a bounty of sweet spice, dried fruit, dark chocolate and burnt coconut taste notes.
Castle Hill Dark Knight Corn Whiskey
Entering the burgeoning Indian-made whisky scene a little over a decade ago in 2013, with the launch of Castle Hill Rare Reserve Whiskey, the Assam-Based Radiant Manufacturers have a new ace up their sleeve – or in their glass, we should say! The recently launched 100 per cent corn Castle Hill Dark Knight Small Batch Whiskey pays tribute to the great American whiskey tradition, ergo their spelling of whisky as ‘whiskey’.
Castle Hill Dark Knight is made using corn sourced from the neighbouring state of Nagaland, which is one of the largest producers of corn in India. Allowed to mature in charred, new American oakwood casks – for either two- or four-year expressions – the whisky is made not just from the aforementioned Naga corn, but also with water channelled directly to the distillery from the Dhansiri, a tributary of the Brahmaputra river. Getting in more local nuances to its production, the spirit is then filtered through bamboo charcoal, that helps absorb impurities from the whisky, leaving it with a distinct mineral-like, full-bodied flavour. One that has sweet and slightly spicy taste notes, with hints of coffee and blackberries.
GianChand Single Malt
Enjoying it’s recent outing as the first premium single malt whisky from the house of the Jammu-based DeVANS, GianChand is named after the company’s founder, Dewan Gian Chand. As one of the most delicate Indian malts we’ve savoured in a while, this one has a pineapple drop candy sweetness carried hand-in-hand by barley and a firm vanilla backbone softened by thin oils that ensure the tannin build.
The flavours in this single malt have been optimised by unique distilling systems developed over decades while the ideal Jammu weather and topography has also played its part in the process. GianChand is far more delicate and refined than any other Indian single malt, with soft barley and spice taking divergent, but vital paths as the complexity increases. Although the casks have matured for several years in high heat, the oak involvement is gloriously restrained, affording the fragile malt and exotic fruit notes the space to perform brilliantly.
Longitude 77’ Single Malt
Crafted in small batches in a distillery in Dindori, Maharashtra – with utmost care for seekers of authentic contemporary Indian luxury – Seagram’s Longitude 77’ Indian Single Malt Whisky, from the House of Pernod Ricard India, is an homage to the enchanting spirit of India and reimagines an India of unparalleled luxury and sophistication.
The flavour profile of this single malt is rich and mellow with notes of oak, vanilla, and a subtle hint of fruit. Interestingly, the brand gets its name from the 77° East meridian that passes through India. This, seeking to represent India’s richness of ingredients, historical craftsmanship, her diverse culture, and rich terroir. A line that connects India’s glorious past, enchanting present and vibrant future. Besides every pack of Longitude 77 paying tribute to the colour indigo – India’s unique gift to the world, the pack also features a stamp. A symbol that commemorates the best of what India has to offer to the world through the art of whisky-making.
Mithuna by Paul John
The second from their Zodiac range, Mithuna is the proverbial jewel in the crown of Goa-bases distillery, Paul John. It was rated as one of the three best new whiskies on the planet, scoring an impressive 97 out of 100, by whisky guru Jim Murray in 2021.
Named after Mithuna the Indian counterpart of Gemini, this whisky is matured in first-fill American virgin oak and then finished in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. Bottled in 2020, Mithuna offers aromas of liquorice, beeswax, sweet honey, crunchy toast and vanilla that fill the nose, complemented by notes of coffee, orange peel, dark chocolate, ginger, pepper and cinnamon throughout the palate for a finish that is long lingering, dry and intense with subtle sweetness.
