A stirring in our spirits
Brunch|April 20, 2024
India drinks more whisky than any other country. But most of it has been flavoured neutral alcohol. The real stuff, made from grain, is now brewed locally, and has fans the world over. Pour a large one and cheer
VIR SANGHVI
A stirring in our spirits

Real whisky, made in India, is well loved and regarded. Indri is served everywhere. Amrut went for the foreign market, earned a good reputation, and was eventually launched here.

Are you surprised by all the hype around highquality Indian whisky? A little taken aback, perhaps, by claims that Indian whiskies are among the best in the world? Staggered by the number of awards Indian whiskies are supposed to have won at international competitions that you have never heard of?

Scotch is usually made from barley. And McDowells' new single-malt, made in a small batch of 6,000 bottles, has a rich flavour reminiscent of Christmas pudding. It's a step up from the usual flavoured spirit.

Wasn't Indian whisky supposed to be so substandard that those who could afford to buy it always drank Scotch instead? How did Indian whisky reach these heights? 

Don't be overly impressed by claims that Indian whisky is better than Scotch or any other whisky. Because it is not that simple.

India has long been a whisky market, thanks to the British. Until the 1950s, the whisky-drinking classes drank imported Scotch. Then, as import controls were imposed, duties shot up and it became more and more difficult (and expensive) to import Scotch.

Many Indian entrepreneurs rushed to fill the vacuum. Importers of Scotch now tried to produce domestic whisky. But none of it tasted like Scotch for a very good reason: The way we made it.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BRUNCHView all
Let's tri all the angles
Brunch

Let's tri all the angles

BFFs falling for the same girl, kidnap twists, murders, bromances. These 10 three-way love stories play with geometry and our feelings

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Should you Q up for this?
Brunch

Should you Q up for this?

Audi's luxury SUV, the Q8, has had a refresh. But a sleeker grille and headlight tech don't make up for what's still missing

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
How to plan a great escape
Brunch

How to plan a great escape

It's getting colder. It's already hard to breathe. Why not plan a winter vacation that's a world away but not too far away?

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Kababs, yes, but khandvi too
Brunch

Kababs, yes, but khandvi too

Mughlai cuisine has as many vegetarian dishes as meaty ones. A new translation of a 16th century manuscript shows how we ate, and why modern labels are pointless

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
I can be your hero
Brunch

I can be your hero

Gurfateh Pirzada, only afewroles old, is the green flag we didn't know we needed. He's learning from women. He wants to be more thana lover and a fighter. He's hoping we all do better. No wonder everyone's crushing on him

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Meet the export experts
Brunch

Meet the export experts

Khadi crop-tops in Spain, faux-leather hoodies in London, fairytale wedding gowns in the UAE. See how some desi labels are killing it on foreign shores

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Why we're all feeling Blue
Brunch

Why we're all feeling Blue

Coco Mellors's new novel is about grief, sisterhood, and of course, addiction and unlikeable women. How does she make it work?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
This week, we're...
Brunch

This week, we're...

Changing the momo game, listening to kids, starting a new business, and supporting pro waxxers

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Rohit Chawla
Brunch

Rohit Chawla

Photographer, artist, @RohitChawlaPhotography_

time-read
1 min  |
November 02, 2024
Congratulations, it's a goal
Brunch

Congratulations, it's a goal

Lakeside vows, pastel palettes, bayous, backyards and boats. These celeb weddings are what modern fairytales are made of

time-read
2 mins  |
November 02, 2024