India’s ascent in the global whisky arena has been nothing short of remarkable. Once overlooked by connoisseurs fixated on Scottish and American spirits, Indian whiskies are now commanding international spotlight. From the foothills of the Himalayas to the tropical climate of Goa, India’s diverse geography creates unique maturation conditions that produce distinctive flavor profiles impossible to replicate elsewhere.

In an extraordinary showing at recent competitions, Indian distilleries have outperformed traditional whisky nations, taking home category wins and gold medals against renowned global brands. Here we explore five exceptional Indian whiskies that have earned significant recognition from industry experts and are encouraging whisky drinkers everywhere to sit up and pay attention to Indian whisky. 

Amrut Peated Single Malt Cask Strength

Bangalore’s Amrut continues to set the standard for Indian whisky, with their Peated Single Malt Cask Strength earning Gold and the coveted title of Best Indian Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2025. This recognition reaffirms Amrut’s pioneering status since their groundbreaking entry onto the global stage in the early 2000s.

Bottled at a potent 62.8% ABV, this non-chill filtered expression showcases what happens when Scottish peated barley meets India’s tropical climate. The judges highlighted its remarkable complexity, noting it “has a lot to offer, from sweet to zesty fruit, vanilla and other confectionery, with some peat notes. Earthy and crisp go well together here.”

The nose offers gristy smoked barley and salted butter, while the palate delivers an explosive maltiness before transitioning to oak spice. Tasting notes from Mavla describe the finish as “one of the best finishes of the year.” 

Indri Refill Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask 03

A relative newcomer making extraordinary strides, Piccadily Distilleries’ Indri Single Malt claimed Gold and Category Winner as Best Indian Single Cask Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2025. Located near the Himalayas in Haryana, this distillery only launched the Indri brand in 2021, making its rapid ascent all the more impressive.

This single cask expression, matured in a refill Oloroso sherry cask and bottled at 58.5% ABV, impressed judges with its distinctive character. They described a “piney nose with meaty edges” complemented by frangipane, raspberry jam and green woody notes, while the palate delivers “intensely fruity” jam-like red fruits layered with cooling eucalyptus.

What makes this whisky special is how it balances sherry influences with the distillery’s house style and Himalayan climate-driven freshness. 

Royal Tiger “The Original”

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 awarded its prestigious Gold Medal to Royal Tiger “The Original”, bringing international attention to this artisanal Goan distillery. Ocean King Distillers’ family-owned operation continues a legacy dating back to 1962, when Antonio Henriques became one of India’s first whisky pioneers.

This unpeated expression (43% ABV) undergoes a distinctive double-barrel aging process – after initial maturation, the whisky is re-casked into new charred American white oak for further aging. Goa’s tropical climate accelerates maturation, concentrating flavors as the angel’s share claims roughly 10% annually.

Tasters describe a profile of ripe orchard fruit, cherry, and a subtle hint of smoke, likely from the charred barrels. The palate showcases roasted nuts, vanilla, and woody spices, with hints of pine forest adding complexity to the medium-long, sweet oaky finish – a balance that clearly resonated with SFWSC’s expert judges.

Rampur Asava

In a landmark achievement, Rampur Asava claimed the title of Best World Whisky at the 2023 John Barleycorn Awards, triumphing over entrants from traditional whisky nations. This recognition highlights the innovation happening at Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, which has roots dating back to 1943 at the foothills of the Himalayas.

Rampur Asava made history as the world’s first single malt finished in Indian Cabernet Sauvignon casks. This creative approach marries the distillery’s signature tropical fruit notes with subtle wine influences. Bottled at 45% ABV, the non-chill filtered expression delivers “manuka honey sweetness highlighted by spicy oak, vanilla and balanced with dryness Indian red wine,” on the palate, according to the brand. 

As reviewer Jonny McCormick noted on Whisky Advocate, “With Asava, Rampur has beautifully captured the spirit of Indian whisky,” praising its “immediate and compelling” jammy fruit and spice notes that remain integrated without being overwhelmed by the wine influence.

Godawan Century

The craft-focused Godawan Century achieved an extraordinary feat at the 2024 London Spirits Competition, not only winning Gold with 96 points but being crowned ‘Single Malt Whisky of the Year’ – outperforming entries from traditional whisky nations.

Produced by Diageo India at their Alwar, Rajasthan distillery, Godawan Century (also called Godawan 100) is an ultra-limited release of just 100 bottles, symbolizing the approximately 100 Great Indian Bustards remaining in the wild – the endangered bird that inspired the brand’s name.

London Spirits Competition judges were captivated by its “pronounced tropical notes” and a fascinating flavor journey that begins with bright tropical fruits and “very sweet” caramel before culminating in “a long dry finish” – a profile that perhaps mirrors Rajasthan’s desert climate. 

The whisky reportedly undergoes “meticulous maturation in carefully selected casks infused with Indian botanicals,” adding another layer of distinctive character that helped secure its position as the world’s top single malt.

The Rise of Indian Whisky

These five exceptional whiskies showcase the remarkable diversity and quality emerging from Indian distilleries. From pioneering peated expressions to innovative cask finishes, they demonstrate how India’s unique climate advantages and creative approaches are creating impossible-to-replicate flavor profiles.

As international accolades mount, Indian whisky’s future looks exceptionally bright. Traditional whisky nations now watch India’s rapid evolution with newfound respect, perhaps concerned for their long-held dominance.

So, why not pick up a bottle of Indian whisky next time you are refreshing your drinks cabinet, and get a taste of what whisky can be when made on the Indian subcontinent?

Read the full article at 5 Award-Winning Indian Whiskies That Are Impressing Experts