The Tipple Of Choice

Move over Scotland. A bunch of Indian single malts is making its presence felt both globally and in India

- Smita Tripathi

Indian single malt brands have grown almost seven-fold in six years, accounting for over a third of the whisky market, compared to only 15 per cent in 2017

IN MARCH, when the results for the International I Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) were announced for 2022, the Indian single malt whisky industry rejoiced. Of the 10 awards that went to India, four were for single malts. Leading the pack was John Distilleries-with breweries in Goa that has been making Indian single malts under the name Paul John since 2012. Three of its variants-Mithuna, Oloroso, and Pedro Ximenez won awards. With a spectacular score of 95 out of 100, Mithuna by Paul John was the only Indian spirit to be conferred a gold medal. Part of the Paul John Zodiac series, Mithuna-named after the Gemini sign-is no stranger to awards, having been declared the third best whisky in the world by famed reviewer Jim Murray in the 2021 edition of his iconic Whisky Bible.

Mithuna by Paul John was the only Indian spirit to be conferred the gold medal at the IWSC 2022. Priced at $20,000, it's available in Goa, Mumbai and Bengaluru

Indri-Trini, launched by Haryana-based Piccadily Distilleries late last year, won a silver at the IWSC. It has also won a slew of other awards including a gold at the International Spirits Challenge 2022, all within a few months of launch. What makes it different is that liquid from three different casks-bourbon, French red wine and PX sherry is married together to get the expression called Trini. Indri is the name of the village where the distillery is located.

For most connoisseurs, single malts are synonymous with the Scottish Highlands. But a bunch of Indian distilleries is creating a mark on the global whisky landscape with a range of sophisticated, locally brewed single malts.