Whisky (without an e) is a popular beverage in India, drunk at home or on special occasions like weddings and festivals. In India, whisky is often drunk with mixers and served in a tall glass over ice, sometimes garnished with a slice of lemon or lime. Traditionally, whisky is also mixed with spices such as cinnamon or cardamom and sugar to create a “masala” (a curry-like preparation) cocktail.
Whisky was first introduced to India by the British during the colonial era but it has only recently gained popularity. Whisky is particularly popular in the southern state of Goa, which has a long history of producing wine and spirits. The warm weather and lack of humidity make it easier to age whiskey in wooden barrels. The water used in the process is said to give it its distinctive taste as well as brown coloring due to tannins released by peaty soil near the springs.
In the South, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Fenny or Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) is very popular. One of the most famous brands is Old Tavern. The quality of locally produced foreign liquor has gone up significantly and there are a lot of cheap local brands too.
Here’s our list of the best brands of whisky in India:
11. Old Tavern – Reserve Whisky
Old Tavern Reserve is a very popular whisky in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It’s made using malted barley and triple distilled in copper stills to give it the unique flavor that makes it stand out from other Indian whiskies. The price is also more than reasonable considering the brand’s popularity and good quality. Old Tavern is usually served with cola as part of an “Indian Fenny” (whisky mixed with cola) drink which you might want to try if you like this brand.
10. McDowell’s No.1 Celebration
A new brand, but an old recipe brought back to life by the same company that first produced it more than a century ago. The spirit is matured in oak barrels for at least 8 years and then blended with vanilla beans and spices like cinnamon and cardamom before being bottled as McDowell’s No 1 Celebration Whisky.
9. Imperial Blue Group – Old Reserve Whisky
Old Reserve is one of the best Indian whiskies you can get your hands on, made from pure malted barley and triple distilled in copper stills to give it a smooth finish. This expensive whisky is made by blending several different blends of single malt whiskies with an average age of 12 years. The company claims the high cost comes from using only natural ingredients like malted barley and pure water that is filtered through granites in the Himalayas.
8. Blender’s Pride Special Reserve Whisky
A smooth blend of malts with a hint of citrusy flavor that comes from its long maturation period in oak barrels, this whisky has won several awards at international spirit competitions. The price is also reasonable considering some whiskies that are priced more than double what you pay for Blender’s Pride.
7. Eclipse
Eclipse is one of the most popular brands in India and its whisky is considered to be among the best Indian whiskies you can get your hands on. Buy this bottle only if you want something smooth that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. It has a unique blend of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves which give the whisky a sweet finish.
6. Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker is one of the most well-known brands in India and arguably among its best whiskies too. The iconic Black Label blend is made from more than 40 different whiskies to create an aromatic blend with hints of citrus notes along with some smokiness that comes from its unique production method. It’s on par with premium Scotch blends like Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s.
5. Bagpiper – Peated Indian Single Malt
The company claims that this is the only peated single malt whisky in India made from malted barley distilled in a pot still using traditional methods but then matured in oak barrels to enhance its smoothness and flavor. The smokiness of the whisky comes from using peat smoke during the kilning process which gives it a unique taste not found in most Indian whiskies.
4. Black Dog – American Single Malt
This is the first single malt whisky produced in India and it has a very complex flavor that includes floral notes from its maturation process along with hints of dried fruits, honey, and vanilla.
3. Director’s Special Whisky
This whisky is made by blending Indian and Scottish malt whiskies to create a smooth taste with notes of orange peel and clove. The brand also has an older 12-year old version which you can try if you like this one but don’t want to spend as much money on it.
2. Royal Challenge Whisky
Royal Challenge is one of the most popular brands when it comes to Indian whiskies and this is perhaps its best product yet. It’s made from a blend of malts aged between 5-7 years that are blended with single malt whiskies matured between 10-12 years which gives it an incredibly smooth finish unlike other Indian whiskies on the market right now.
1. Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky
This is one of the best Indian single malts you can get your hands on and it might just be a contender to some of the top Scotch blends like Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s as well. It’s also one of India’s most expensive whiskies but if you’re looking for a smooth introduction to the world of single malts then this is a great place to start.
Conclusion
India has a long whiskey or whisky tradition, which can be traced back to the 18th century. While the first commercial distillery was set up in 1729 by the British East India Company, it wasn’t until the 1800s that it became popular among locals. After independence from Britain, whisky production picked up significantly and today brands like Bagpiper Whisky and Blender’s Pride Whiskey are some of the best-selling Indian whiskies in the market.