India is known for many things, but few would say whiskey.
Curries, yes. Incredible culture, naturally. And of course, there’s the technicolour glamour of Bollywood. But a wee dram? It rarely makes it onto any top ten list.
But whiskey made in India is very much a thing, especially for fans of the spirit who are looking to expand their palate beyond Scotch and American bourbon.
If you’re ready to join them, we’ve collated a list of the best of them below. We believe knowledge deepens appreciation especially when it comes to spirits. So we quizzed esteemed whiskey experts on why Indian varieties are the hot new thing.
What makes Indian whiskey special?
The Whisky Exchange’s Buying Director, Dawn Davies MW, says that though there are many styles in the category, “for me there is always this lovely soft core of fruit that you find in Indian whiskies that make them approachable to consumers”.
What sets it apart from Scotch?
Geography and climate are the major factors. Rampur is one of the leading brands in the Indian whiskey category. Sanjeev Banga, President of International Business at Radico Khaitan, which counts Rampur in its portfolio, reveals what makes the dram so special.
“Rampur is made with six-row north Indian barley, which boasts sweeter, maltier, and subtly spicier attributes thanks to its elevated protein content compared to two-row Barley,” he says.
Soft water from Himalayan glaciers, climate and the location of the Rampur’s distillery, nestled between the Himalayan foothills and the Indo-Gangetic plains, also play a role. Banga says: “The extremes of North Indian weather, from chilly winters of 2℃ to scorching 46℃ summers, provoke an intense interplay between wood and spirit, fostering oxidation, extraction, and high rates of evaporation known as the Angel's Share.”
Davies agrees, saying “Climate, taste and culture are so different between India and Scotland. Like any whisky, its sense of place comes through in the serve’s eventual character. The lovely lift of spice in Indian whiskies allows them to pair well with Indian food. The rich fruit and oak that come from ageing in a hot climate all make Indian whiskies special.”
How does it pair with Indian food? What dishes might be best?
For Banga, dishes from the heat of the tandoor and the country’s famous curries both make fitting partners for a measure of Rampur.
Davies adds that the sweet spicy notes often found in Indian whiskies stand up to the cuisine’s big, bold flavours. She suggests “light to moderate curries, daal, butter chicken – all need a lovely ripe fruit character. For the stronger curries, the peated whiskies of India are a good partner. The sweet desserts of India work best with the more sherry cask-driven styles.” The variety on offer makes them a fun food-pairing spirit, Davies adds.
Who is a typical Indian whiskey drinker?
Both Banga and Davies agree there’s a lot of love for Indian whiskies in the Subcontinent, but plenty from abroad too. Banga points out “Of the seven expressions [of Rampur] available globally, only one is available in India.” The brand is sold in more than 40 countries and is one of the most picked-up Indian malts at airport Duty-Free outlets around the world.
Davies says determining a buyer profile is harder, but Indian whiskies also find their way into the hands of “drinkers that tend to be more adventurous and open to trying whiskies from the non ‘classical’ countries. They also often appeal to novice whisky drinkers as they can be quite affordable and approachable as a style.”
Raring to try a measure? Have it neat first to fully appreciate the notes and complexity before adding ginger ale or soda if you need to soften it.
Shop the best Indian whiskey now
Rampur Asava Indian Single Malt Whisky
Matured in ex-bourbon casks and former-Cabernet Sauvignon casks, Rampur's 45 per cent ABV single malt is rich and sweet with notes of lychee, honeysuckle and marmalade mixed with cinnamon, clove and black pepper. It's a smoky yet smooth serve with its stint in wine casks imbuing it with a unique flavour.
Buy now £68.75, The Whisky Exchange
Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt Whisky
A brand bestseller, this single malt has done a mini world tour before making it into the bottle. Aged in old oak bourbon barrels and sherry casks from Europe, the result is a balanced pour teeming with tropical notes. Think stewed banana, raisins, honey and vanilla.
Buy now £62.49, Master of Malt
Amrut Fusion
A meeting of nations lays waiting in Amrut's fusion bottle, with Indian barley as well as Scottish peat barley used in its creation. It's a bartender favourite, picking up awards since it launched in 2009. Expect rich, fruity notes of orange, peach and mango with cinnamon and black pepper for balance.
Buy now £62.95, The Whisky Exchange
Paul John Bold - Peated
If you want to see what else a classic peated Scotch can do, take a punt on Paul John's Bold. Made in Goa, the single malt was created with Indian barley smoked using Islay peat, offering an exotic twist on familiar flavours.
Buy now £45.95, The Whisky Exchange
Rampur Sangam
Everyone's invited to join the party in Rampur's Sangam blend. The name, which means 'confluence' in Hindi, is perfect for this iteration, which blends world whiskies including the brand's own Indian single malts. You might think that's too many cooks, but the result is magnificent, with apricot, apple and salted chocolate flavours dancing with peat.
Buy now £54.95, The Whisky Exchange
Paul John Mithuna Whisky 70cl
Another bottle from Goa's Paul John, Mithuna is part of the brand's Zodiac range and represents Gemini on the calendar. The strong serve - it's got an ABV of 58 per cent - has been aged in American oak casks before being finished in ex-bourbon casks (both first-fill), to impart a warm, baked taste.
Buy now £190.91, Master of Malt
Kamet Indian Single Malt Whisky
Beautifully presented, this is a lovely whiskey to give someone who fancies themselves a connoisseur. Fruity and spicey, Kamet comes from the shadows of the Himalayas (the name refers to Mt. Kamet, the country's third-highest peak). The single malt is an intrigue, with raisins, golden sultanas, dried apricots, oak, vanilla, caramel and milk chocolate treating tastebuds.
Buy now £54.95, The Whisky Exchange
Amrut Single Malt
Distilled from selected Indian barley and made with pure Himalayan water, this peated single malt carries an ABV of 46 per cent. It's not just the strength that means it should be reserved for special occasions: the deep and complex flavours are worth savouring at leisure. Expert citrus, spice and milky chocolate on your journey. As one customer puts it; "All of the flavours leave one by one as if they are taking a bow."
Buy now £47.99, Amazon
Other noteworthy Indian spirits
Crazy Gin Punjabi Chai Gin 500ml
The small-batch gin is the result of blending British and Indian cultures. As its name reveals, it's spicy with hints of coconut cream black tea and pepper making it a great option for shaking up a typical G&T.
Buy now £38.00, Harvey Nichols
Desi Daru No.2 Mango Vodka
Using the Hindi word for booze, this fun vodka has been made with a blend of English and Indian ingredients, making it fitting for celebrating both nations. It's spiked with Indian Alphonso mangoes, widely considered the best variety, for a delicious spirit that's very hard to resist.
Buy now £45.00, Harvey Nichols
