Premium Indian whiskies have been gaining global ground, with the likes of Indri, Paul John and Amrut winning accolades and admirers
According to the UK-based Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), India is the world’s biggest Scotch whisky-consuming country by volume, dethroning France from the top spot, and is fifth on the list of the world’s largest buyers of Scotch whisky in terms of value. SWA, which publishes an annual list of countries that consume the most Scotch, both by volume and value, further highlights that Scotch whisky exports to India have grown by more than 200 percent in the past decade alone.
The term ‘whisky’ is derived from the original Gaelic ‘uisce beatha’ or ‘usquebaugh’, meaning ‘water of life’. It is made by fermenting a mash of grains, some of which may undergo the malting process. The grains include barley, corn, rye and wheat, each contributing distinct characteristics to the final product. The whisky is further refined by ageing it in wooden casks, often made of charred white oak, which adds to its complexity of flavours and aromas. Whisky is categorised into single malt and blended varieties, each comprising a spectrum of nuanced sub-varieties.
Novelist and screenwriter Raymond Chandler had said, “There is no bad whisky. There are only some whiskies that aren’t as good as others.” Surrinder Kumar, master blender and distiller at Piccadily Distilleries, makers of Indri whisky, which recently ranked number 1 at the Whiskies of the World Awards 2023, agrees. Kumar, who worked at Amrut Distilleries till 2019, is of the view that each whisky brand, Indian or international, brings something unique to the table. When it comes to Indian whiskies specifically, he believes brands such as Indri, Paul John, Amrut and GianChand are bolstering the growth of Indian whiskies and positioning India among the top players around the world.
According to the International Wine and Spirit Research (IWSR) organisation, whisky accounts for nearly two-thirds of spirits sales in India. Kumar says the Indian whiskey sector is experiencing strong expansion, thanks to its innovative offerings. In 2022, the performance of Indian single malts was impressive, with sales reaching just over 2 million cases of 9 litres, he says. “I anticipate this growth rate will soar even higher, approaching nearly 30 percent annually in the years to come.”
(This story appears in the 17 November, 2023 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)