Indian Whisky You Must Try
Amrut While the brand produces everything from blended whiskies to port rum and sherry, it is its selection of single malts that has put India on the whisky map of the world. Whether you go with the Peated Indian, Fusion, Greedy Angels Chairman's Reserve: 12 YO, Kadhambam, or their newest Little Greedy Angels 8 YO based on your palate, you can't go wrong.
GianChand Launched in 2022, one of India’s latest single malts is distilled in the cool climes of Jammu. Produced by DeVans Modern Breweries, GianChand Single Malt Whisky is an ode to the company’s eponymous founder.
Godawan This pale yellow spirit by Diageo India pays homage to the namesake bird Godawan or the Great Indian Bustard. The whisky was launched in Jaipur in 2022. It is an ode to Rajasthan’s culture and heritage, and also draws from the land's geography to create an artisanal single malt. Made using six-row barley that thrives in Rajasthan, it is matured in temperatures reaching 100°F for a deep and rich flavour.
Indri Trini This international award-winning whiskey was launched in 2021 in a riverbank village in Haryana. Right next to the Yamuna, the Piccadilly distillery in Indri village distils the traditional Indian six-row barley, then blends and matures in three different barrels–ex-bourbon, ex-French wine and PX sherry casks. These three barrels lend the word ‘Trini’ to its name.
Kamet Kamet is inspired by all things Indian. The single malt draws from Mount Kamet in Uttarakhand, one of the highest peaks in the country. The brand’s mascot which is the Indian parrot is an important part of the culture in the villages surrounding the distillery near Kurukshetra.
Paul John Distilleries With a catalogue as deep and rich as the flavour profiles of its single malts, you could spend some time figuring out which one is your favourite. But at least the process will be an enjoyable one. You can try Nirvana, with its heady notes of bourbon mixed in with caramel custard.
Rampur Distillery The precursor to the parent company that today owns it, this brand was born in 1943 in the principality of Rampur State, today a part of Uttar Pradesh. Still distilled in the original copper pots like back in the day, this distillery on the foothills of the Himalayas benefits from cool winters and hot summers that give the whisky a unique richness.
Woodburns Contemporary Whisky What this gorgeous smoky, peaty whisky lacks in heritage, it makes up for in sheer boldness of flavour profile. You get hints of dark chocolate with a sweet after taste. Made by Goa-based Fullarton Distilleries in Candepar, this blended whisky is aged in handcrafted charred oak barrels that gives it its distinctive dark caramel shade.