When most individuals consider whisky, they image the Highlands of Scotland, the rickhouses of Kentucky, or the distilleries of Japan. However India, typically ignored in international whisky discussions, is quietly reshaping the panorama. Not solely is it the world’s largest whisky market by quantity, it’s additionally house to a number of the most progressive and acclaimed producers within the trade as we speak.
Whether or not you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned fanatic, this information breaks down seven key insights that specialists need you to learn about Indian whisky. From what it’s actually product of to the way it’s matured in a number of the most excessive ageing situations on earth.
1. Not all Indian whisky is technically whisky by worldwide requirements
In India, the phrase “whisky” covers a broad vary of spirits, lots of which might not qualify as whisky in the USA or Europe. The explanation comes all the way down to what they’re made out of. Most Indian whisky by quantity is what’s generally known as Indian Made International Liquor (IMFL). These spirits typically embody a big proportion of impartial alcohol distilled from molasses, a byproduct of the sugar trade, blended with a small quantity of grain or malt whisky to supply taste.
Below U.S. and EU laws, molasses-based spirits wouldn’t be categorised as whisky in any respect.
The important thing takeaway for shoppers is that not all Indian whisky is created the identical. Manufacturers on the decrease finish of the market are sometimes molasses-based, whereas premium Indian whiskies, particularly single malts, adhere to worldwide definitions by utilizing malted barley and conventional strategies.
2. Indian single malts are competing with the most effective on the earth
India’s premium whisky scene took off in 2004 when Amrut launched the nation’s first single malt within the UK. It was a daring transfer aimed toward gaining worldwide credibility earlier than introducing it to the home market. The gamble paid off. Amrut Fusion, made out of Indian and Scottish barley, went on to obtain excessive scores from revered critics and helped change perceptions of Indian whisky.
Since then, producers like Paul John (Goa), Rampur (Uttar Pradesh), and Indri (Haryana) have joined the motion. Their single malts have gained worldwide awards and gained a loyal following. These whiskies are made out of malted barley, distilled in pot stills, and aged in oak, identical to scotch or American single malts, however they provide one thing distinctively Indian.
As one instance of Indian whisky’s award-winning nature (of which there are various), Godawan Century Single Malt was named finest single malt whisky on the earth by the London Spirits Competitors in 2024 with a rating of 96 factors.
3. India’s local weather matures whisky rapidly, however not evenly
Heat temperatures throughout India speed up whisky maturation, however situations fluctuate extensively by area.
Indian whisky researcher Charnelle Martins defined to Whisky Advocate, “Our hotter temperatures create distinctive fermentation and maturation kinetics which might be very totally different from these in Scotland… [This] causes a really fast extraction of wood-derived compounds that contributes to the uniquely spicy be aware we regularly style in Indian whiskies.”
In Goa, Paul John’s Michael D’Souza describes a special problem to The Spirits Enterprise: “We lose a considerable quantity of alcohol as a result of angel’s share (shut to eight%). In locations like Amrut and Rampur, ABV will increase due to dry situations. For us, being in Goa, it goes down due to the humidity.”
Wherever it’s made, warmth performs a central position. However the way it shapes the whisky relies upon totally on the area.
4. Indian whisky has roots stretching again to the 1800s
India’s whisky story started within the 1820s, when Edward Dyer established a brewery and distillery in Kasauli, within the Himalayan foothills. Utilizing Scottish tools and native spring water, he aimed to duplicate the whisky acquainted to British colonial officers.
That authentic distillery, later moved to close by Solan, continues to be in operation as we speak below Mohan Meakin, making it the oldest working distillery in Asia. It produced what grew to become generally known as Solan No. 1, certainly one of India’s first industrial whiskies.
Whereas mass-market whisky took over within the twentieth century, the only malt motion didn’t start till 2004, when Amrut launched its first single malt in Glasgow earlier than promoting it in India. It marked a turning level, paving the best way for India’s fashionable whisky renaissance.
5. Regulation and taxation have formed how Indian whisky is made and bought
India’s advanced tax and regulatory system has had an enormous affect on its whisky trade. Alcohol is regulated on the state degree, that means each state can impose totally different legal guidelines, excise duties, and distribution guidelines. This patchwork system impacts pricing, labeling, and even availability throughout the nation.
The usual bottling power (42.8% ABV) is one other legacy of colonial-era tax brackets based mostly on alcohol content material. Most producers nonetheless use this customary to streamline compliance.
Import duties have additionally performed a job. For years, tariffs as excessive as 150% protected home manufacturers from international competitors. That gave Indian distillers house to develop, but in addition led to controversy in international commerce talks. These boundaries are slowly shifting as India’s premium single malt producers achieve recognition overseas.
6. Indian single malts are booming at house and overseas
The previous decade has seen a significant shift within the reputation of Indian single malts. In India alone, they’ve grown from solely 15 p.c of the single-malt market 5 years in the past to roughly 33 p.c as we speak. Gross sales of homegrown single malts have surged yearly by round 42 p.c, far outpacing imports.
This fast progress isn’t confined to India. Manufacturers like Amrut, Paul John, Rampur, and Indri have captured international consideration with daring, regionally distinctive flavors and reasonably priced pricing. Paul John and Amrut are among the many top-selling single malt manufacturers domestically, even outselling in style scotch whiskies like Glenlivet 12-year, in response to The Drinks Enterprise.
India now produces a compelling various to conventional whisky types. As Vinod Giri of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Corporations instructed The Guardian, gross sales of homegrown single malts are booming as a brand new technology sheds outdated notions concerning the superiority of imported manufacturers.
7. There are numerous Indian whiskies so that you can strive
India’s whisky scene is extra numerous than ever, and there has by no means been a greater time to discover it. Whether or not you’re into daring, spicy malts or smoother, fruit-forward drams, Indian distilleries are producing bottles that may rival the most effective from wherever on the earth.
Undecided the place to begin? Attempt Amrut Fusion, a pioneering single malt that blends Indian and Scottish barley. Paul John Brilliance presents a softer, honeyed profile with no peat. For one thing coastal and complicated, Godawan 01 from Rajasthan delivers dried fruit and autumnal spice. Indri Trini combines three cask finishes for a layered, accessible dram, and Rampur brings wealthy, tropical fruit notes with a northern aptitude.
These are only a few of the whiskies placing India on the worldwide map. Whether or not you’re a newcomer or a collector, there’s a dram right here price discovering.
