The recently introduced Manshaa from DeVANS Modern Breweries took first place in one of the most prominent whisky contests in the world this year. At Meininger's International Spirits Award (ISW) in Germany, Manshaa won a Grand Gold and the coveted titles of International Whisky of the Year 2025. At the International Whisky Competition (IWC) 2025 in Las Vegas, USA, Adambaraa had previously won the Best Indian Whisky and Best Single Malt Indian Whisky titles.
India‘s ascent in the global whisky arena has been nothing short of remarkable. Here are the other 5 Indian whiskies you could try
Amrut Peated Single Malt Cask Strength
Bangalore's Amrut Peated Single Malt Cask Strength won Gold and the coveted Best Indian Single Malt title at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. It is known as the industry leader in Indian whisky. Amrut's pioneering status since their ground-breaking debut on the international scene in the early 2000s is reaffirmed by this recognition. Bottled at a potent 62.8% ABV, this non-chill-filtered whisky has a lot to offer, from sweet to zesty fruit, vanilla, and other confectionery, with some peat notes.
Indri Refill Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Cask 03
Piccadilly Distilleries’ Indri Single Malt claimed Gold 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; after that, it made its rapid, impressive ascent. This particular whisky is unique because it strikes a balance between sherry influences, the distillery's house style, and the freshness driven by the Himalayan climate. It was matured in a refill Oloroso sherry cask and bottled at 58.5% ABV.
Royal Tiger 'The Original'
Royal Tiger "The Original" won the coveted Gold Medal in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024, drawing attention to this artisanal Goan distillery on a global scale. The family-run business Ocean King Distillers carries on a tradition that began in 1962, when Antonio Henriques was one of the first whisky pioneers in India. 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.
Rampur Asava
Rampur Asava was named Best World Whisky at the John Barleycorn Awards 2023, beating competitors from classic whisky-producing countries, which is a testament to the creativity at work in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, established in 1943 on the foothills of the Himalayas, whose first finished single malt in Indian Cabernet Sauvignon casks married its tropical fruit notes with subtle wine influences. The non-chill-filtered expression comes bottled at 45% ABV.
Mithuna by Paul John
In 2021, Mithuna from Paul John Distillery in Goa received a score of 97 out of 100 in the book "Whisky Bible" by whisky expert Jim Murray. Mithuna was listed as one of the world's top three new whiskies in this decade. This whisky is aged in first-fill American virgin oak and then finished in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. While coffee, orange peel, dark chocolate, ginger, pepper, and cinnamon dominate the palate for a long, dry, and intensely sweet finish, the nose is filled with aromas of liquorice, beeswax, sweet honey, crunchy toast, and vanilla.
These are the five exceptional whiskies from India, which showcase the remarkable diversity and quality of manufacturing from Indian distilleries. So, let's pick a bottle today for your cabinet.
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