Words by Chandreyi Bandyopadhyay
In the past few years, a new phenomenon has taken over the alco-bev industry in India and, no, we are not talking about gin. The country that appreciated scotch for centuries has moved on to make way for ambrosial and redolent single malts, aged well and made with local barley. There is now an array of full-bodied, rich and nuanced collections of whiskies that are making themselves known to the world with accolades at global competitions.
If you’re looking to discover some new single malts, take a look at the best Indian offerings in the single malt category below.
Indri by Piccadily Distilleries
Recently launched, the Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2023 has been awarded the Best in Show, Double Gold at the prestigious Whiskies of the World Awards. Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2023 is a peated Indian single malt made with six-row barley, distilled in traditional copper pot stills crafted in India. Carefully matured in PX Sherry Casks for a significantly long time amidst the sub-tropical climate of north India, this unique expression entices you with a whiff of smoke and awakens your senses to myriad flavours such as candied dried fruits, toasted nuts, subtle spices, oak and bittersweet chocolate.
The journey of Indri began with Indri-Trini, India’s first triple cask single malt. With a mission to put quality homegrown liquids on the world map, Piccadily Distilleries introduced the one-of-its-kind single malt two years ago. Since its launch in 2021, the brand has won over 14 global awards. It is available in 17 countries including the UK.
Godawan Single Malt
India has an extremely rich history, culture and tradition regarding distillation techniques, and so creating a single malt, with deep provenance at its heart, was the genesis for Godawan. In order to bring this to life, the brand selected a distillery at Alwar in Rajasthan as the Home of Godawan. Rajasthan has extremely deep-rooted connections to craft, artisanal values and bespoke distillation techniques and, from a terroir standpoint, represents one that is the stark opposite of what people imagine when they think of artisanal single malts.
With temperatures reaching 101 degrees Fahrenheit, being water-starved and resource-challenged, it presented an opportunity to create a single malt that would be as bespoke as it would be precious. In essence, Godawan represents the spirit of the desert – beauty in scarcity, also deriving its name for the rare and endangered species of the Great Indian Bustard, called Godawan locally.
Godawan 100
The company also introduced Godawan 100, a bespoke 100-bottles-batch of collector’s edition single malt, paying homage to the Great Indian Bustard on its first anniversary. The bird was once a ubiquitous sight across India but has now dwindled to just a little over a hundred in number. Every single addition to the Godawan flock counts, and the brand is working wholeheartedly for the environmental conservation and ecological preservation of the bird.
Rampur Double Cask
From the house of Radico Khaitan, this beautiful expression is crafted by maturation in handpicked American Bourbon barrels and European oak sherry casks. Delicate balsamic vanilla notes from the American white oak complement the full-bodied aroma of the tipple. Rich caramel, dried dark fruits and spicy tonality from European oak add to the depth, providing a tantalisingly long, lingering and generous finish. Rampur Double Cask is available in over 20 countries.
Paul John Brilliance
From the Goan shores of India, this unpeated Indian single malt whisky with hues of sparkling copper invites you to relish its sweet notes touched with a gentle whiff of spice. The honey-like smoothness entices the palate with its rare, cocoa-flavoured crispiness, leading you to the deep woody finish of American oak blended with creamy tones of intense vanilla. Experience a taste of handcrafted, non-chill-filtered brilliance with its rich accents of vanilla and subtle hints of spice. This single malt is the ideal accompaniment to luscious fruit pies and Indian grilled meat dishes.
Amrut Peated Indian Whisky
From the award-winning distiller Amrut comes a peated Indian expression. The nose consists of an unusually dry peat, not dissimilar to peat reek absorbed by an old leather armchair with a hint of citrus. Despite the nose, the immediate sensation is one of being caressed by molasses and then a ratching up of the peat notes. As they get more forceful, the experience becomes slightly drier and spicier, though not without the molasses refusing to give way.
According to Hemanth Rao of Singla Malt Amateur’s Club in India, this whisky is perfect to go with the winter chills. A smoky and robust dram is a preferred choice for evening celebrations, and a pairing with a barbeque or a bonfire, this whisky will etch itself in your mind. Allowing the whisky to air in the glass for around five to six minutes will allow it to open up those phenols.
Kamet
A collaboration between Nancy Fraley (Still Austin Whiskey Co.’s master blender) and Surrinder Kumar, master blender from India, Kamet is a new age single malt whisky by Madya Beverages, a joint venture between Peak Spirits and Piccadily Distillery.
Right from the label, the brand and the whisky reflect Indian styles. Kamet single malt is a product of double distillation using copper pot stills and artfully blended together using the Kamet philosophy of wine influence. Distilled using six-row barley grown in the foothills of the Himalayas, it is aged in a combination of ex-Bourbon American oak, ex-wine French oak, and ex-Sherry casks (Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso). Kamet has a long, warm, complex nutty finish with a balanced dry and sherried sweetness. While it is not available in the UK, it could be your choice of ‘bring back home’ from India, Europe or the Americas.
