In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 best Indian whiskies in 2024. If you also want to check out the top whiskies from Japan, here are the 20 Best Japanese Whiskies in 2024.
Whisky has been the favorite spirit of Indians for over a century now. In fact, by a per-capita metric, the South Asian nation leads the world in whisky consumption, with a nearly ten-fold magnitude over the United States. Up until a couple of decades ago, India’s domestically produced whisky sector was dominated by molasses-derived spirits, which according to EU legislation, could not be classified as ‘whisky’ at all. However, things have changed rapidly over the years, and thanks to a higher percentage of grain being used, better quality liquid, packaging, and above all some astute marketing, Indian single malts have now slowly made their way into the upper echelons of the global whisky market.
The Rise of Indian Whisky:
According to the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, Indian single malts finally overtook their imported counterparts and commanded a jaw-dropping 53% of total sales in the domestic market in 2023. Out of a total of 675,000 9-liter cases of single malts sold in India last year, local whiskey makers sold around 345,000 cases, while Scottish and other foreign brands sold the remaining 330,000.
The CIABC stated that India’s local brands experienced a growth of around 23% last year, while the imported ones grew at a more conservative rate of 11%. According to IWSR, for the period until 2027, the consumption of Indian malts is set to grow at a rate of 13% a year, compared to 8% for Scotch.
The Entry of International Spirits Giants:
The skyrocketing popularity of ‘Made in India’ single malts hasn’t gone unnoticed, prompting some global industry behemoths to enter the Indian market with their own local brands, instead of relying on single malts sourced from Scotland like they did before.
Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO), owner of Renowned Scotch whisky Brands like Johnnie Walker and Talisker, launched its first artisanal Indian single malt named Godawan in 2022. Hailing from the arid lands of Rajasthan, Godawan is carefully crafted using Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)’s whisky-making process that involves slow-trickle distillation from locally sourced six-row barley, maturing at over 38°C, and finishing in special casks selectively curated with Indian botanicals.
Similarly, Pernod Ricard – another industry giant that owns brands like Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, and many others – launched its first luxury Indian single malt named Longitude 77 in December 2023. Produced in small batches in a distillery in Maharashtra, the brand personifies Pernod Ricard’s commitment to India and its focus on investing in the country as the company completes its 30 years of presence there. Following its triumphant debut in its country of origin, Longitude 77 was also launched in Dubai in March, marking its presence and intent to expand in the international market.
Both Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) and Pernod Ricard are included among the Most Valuable Alcohol Companies in the World.
Most Popular Indian Whisky in the World:
With global sales of 30.8 million 9-liter cases in 2022, McDowell’s No.1 is not only the Best-Selling Indian Whisky but also the Most Popular Whiskey Brand in the World. Made by blending whisky and select Indian malts, McDowell’s No. 1 has created a unique bond with its 25+ million consumers over its 120 years of history.
What’s more is that 4 of the top 5 most popular whisky brands in the world hail from India, clearly depicting the South Asian country’s dominance in the global whisky market.
With that said, here are the Best Indian Whiskies in the World.
Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we have referred to a number of sources, such as Liquor, Tasting Table, Reddit etc., looking for the Top Indian Whiskies. To make sure we give you the best of the best, we shortlisted whiskies that appeared multiple times in the aforementioned sources, assigned them a score of 1 each time they were recommended on these websites, and then summed up the scores and ranked our list accordingly. When two or more whiskies had the same score, we ranked them by the price (excluding tax) of their 750 ml bottles.
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20. Downing Street
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Downing Street Whisky was launched by the recently-established NeuWorld Spirits, catering to the premium whisky segment in India. Created by the company’s in-house team of Master Blenders, Downing Street is a premium Indian whisky blended with Scotch for an extremely smooth and full-bodied palate.
19. Paul John Oloroso Select Cask
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Hailing from the sunny coasts of Goa, this unpeated Indian single malt has been sublimely finished in Oloroso sherry casks and offers up a wealth of dried fruit and baking spice notes.
John Distilleries, the owner of Paul John Whisky, sold 57,000 cases of single malts in 2022, accounting for a 13% share of the overall premium malt whisky category in India.
18. Crazy Cock Rare Single Malt
Insider Monkey Score: 2
This rare and exquisite single malt whisky is distilled from 6-row Indian barley and matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks for a full-bodied and complex flavor profile. A few batches of this whisky are also smoked for a mildly peaty experience and set aside for Crazy Cock Dhua.
17. Paul John Mithuna
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Part of Paul John’s iconic Zodiac series, Mithuna is named after the Indian counterpart of Gemini. Matured in virgin American oak casks and finished in ex-Bourbon casks, this single malt whisky is bottled at a substantial ABV of 58%.
16. Kurinji Single Malt
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Kurinji is the second edition in the Single Malts of India series by the whisky producer Amrut – one of the most highly regarded Indian whisky brands in the international market. Inspired by the purple-blue Kurinji flower that blooms once every 12 years, the Kurinji Single Malt is aged in ex-Bourbon casks for five years.
15. Paul John Peated Select Cask
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Produced using peat imported all the way from Scotland (since there isn’t any in India), this single malt whisky has been matured in ex-Bourbon barrels before being bottled at cask strength (a pleasing 55.5% ABV) without chill filtration.
Sazerac, the privately-held American alcohol company, acquired a 43% minority stake in John Distilleries in 2018, marking its entry into the flourishing Indian market.
14. Paul John Brilliance
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Released in early 2013, this unpeated Indian single malt whisky is made using barley from the foothills of the Himalayas. Since it is distilled and matured in the warm climate of Goa, it takes less time to mature compared to its Scottish cousins.
Paul John Brilliance was proclaimed the Best Indian Single Malt Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards in 2020.
13. GianChand Single Malt
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Fuelling the Indian appetite for all things smoke and oak, GianChand is a smooth, light, and easy-to-drink whisky, hand-crafted in a distillery situated in the lap of the Himalayas and matured in ex-Bourbon casks. This single malt is made by Devans Modern Breweries, which also produces lager beers and a blended whisky called Old Vat.
12. Longitude 77
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Pernod Ricard India announced the launch of its first premium Indian single malt, Longitude 77, in December last year. Produced in small batches in a distillery in the state of Maharashtra, this small-batch whisky is aged in ex-Bourbon and wine casks.
11. Paul John Nirvana
Insider Monkey Score: 4
A fruity, lively, unpeated single malt from Paul John, the Nirvana arouses the senses with a soft whiff of Bourbon, fruitcake, and an enticing caramel pudding. Introduced in 2019, this fabulous no-age and low-price statement is one of the Best Indian Whiskies for Beginners.
It was announced in December 2023 that John Distilleries is increasing the capacity of its single malts by almost threefold by investing Rs. 1 billion (around $12 million) into its distillery in Goa.
10. Rampur Select
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Distilled and matured in the foothills of the Himalayas, this non-chill-filtered whisky is the Kohinoor of Indian single malts. Produced by Radico Khaitan, Rampur whiskies are distilled in traditional copper pot stills in the oldest distillery in India.
A revamped, limited edition of Rampur Select was launched last year catering exclusively to the American market.
9. Woodburns
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Woodburns is a rich, full-bodied Indian malt whisky aged in handcrafted barrels made by the finest coopers in the country. Included among the Top 10 Indian Whisky Brands in our list, Woodburns offers a bold, smoky front, balanced by a well-rounded peated malt finish.
8. Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2023
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2023 is a peated Indian single malt made with six-row barley, distilled in traditional copper pot stills, and matured in Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks for a significantly long time amidst the subtropical climate of North India.
Exclusive to just 450 bottles, this Indian single malt has garnered well-deserved recognition by winning the coveted ‘Best in Show, Double Gold’ award at the esteemed Whiskies of the World Awards 2023.
7. Indri Drú Cask Strength
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Bottled at a natural cask strength of 57.2%, Drú is an Indian single malt distilled and matured in northern India where it was selected from hand-picked ex-Bourbon casks.
Indri Drú was the winner of the ‘Best Indian Single Malt’ category at the World Whiskies Awards 2024.
6. Godawan 01 Rich and Rounded
Insider Monkey Score: 6
An exquisitely crafted single malt from the state of Rajasthan, the 01 Rich and Rounded whisky is matured in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and then placed into Bourbon barrels treated with two Indian botanicals – Rasna and Jatamansi.
It was announced in April that the Diageo-owned Godawan brand has also entered the states of Punjab, Chandigarh, and Madhya Pradesh – a move that strengthens its national presence across 7 markets in India.
5. Rampur Double Cask
Insider Monkey Score: 7
Another exquisite Indian single malt from Rampur, the Double Cask spent two-thirds of its life in American oak Bourbon barrels, and the other third in European oak sherry casks. Included among the top 5 Indian whiskies in our list, this rich and complex expression presents delicate balsamic vanilla notes mixed with rich caramel, dried dark fruits, and spicy tonalities for an incomparable depth of flavor.
Owned by Radico Khaitan, Rampur made history last year by becoming the only Indian Whisky brand in the prestigious Top 100 Premium Wine and Spirits Brands of the World 2023.
4. Amrut Cask Strength
Insider Monkey Score: 8
Continuing the run of impressive cask-strength Indian single malts, this edition from Amrut clocks in at a whopping 61.8% ABV. Made from selected Indian barley and nurtured by waters flowing from the Himalayas, this whisky is distilled in small batches to preserve its natural aromas and then matured in oak barrels in Bangalore.
Established in 1948, Amrut Distilleries are the proud makers of Amrut Indian Single Malts, with 25 expressions available in 44 countries around the world.