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Move over, Scotland — India’s whisky revolution is here, and it’s making waves across the world’s top bars and tasting rooms. What was once a quiet trickle of local malt makers has turned into a full-blown flood of world-class distilleries crafting whiskies so good, they’re leaving even the Scots slightly rattled. From the Himalayan mists of Jammu to Rajasthan’s sun-baked plains, India’s single malt scene is bubbling with innovation, artistry, and unapologetic swagger. Forget the clichés. This isn’t about cheap blends or colonial hangovers — this is India, rewriting the global whisky narrative with its own liquid poetry. Let’s raise a glass (or three) to the brands leading this golden revolution. GianChand: The Gentleman from Jammu If GianChand were a person, he’d be the sort who wears linen suits, quotes poetry, and still knows how to throw a proper party. Born in Jammu under the care of DeVANS — a name already synonymous with craft beer brilliance — GianChand Single Malt is all about elegance with a twist of the unexpected. Named after founder Dewan Gian Chand, this whisky’s got charm and confidence in equal measure. Think pineapple drop-candy sweetness and soft barley wrapped around a whisper of vanilla and oak — the sort of dram that makes you close your eyes and just breathe. Even whisky legend Jim Murray couldn’t resist its allure, calling it “unquestionably the most delicate Indian malt” he’s tasted in nearly three decades. And clearly, the world agrees. GianChand Manshaa – Grand Gold and International Whisky of the Year 2025 at Germany’s ISW Awards. GianChand Adambaraa – Best Indian Single Malt and Best Indian Whisky at the IWC 2025 in Las Vegas. With prices starting at Rs 4,490 and limited duty-free exclusives touching Rs 9,500, it’s clear — GianChand isn’t just playing in the big leagues. It’s winning them. Crazy Cock: The Rebel with a Malt Let’s be honest — you don’t call your whisky Crazy Cock unless you’re absolutely sure it’s brilliant. And this bold newcomer lives up to its name with both grit and glamour. Crafted by South Seas Distilleries — India’s oldest malt distillery with over four decades of distilling mastery — Crazy Cock is a love letter to craftsmanship and chaos in the best way possible. Distilled in some of India’s largest copper pot stills and aged in Dahanu’s breezy coastal microclimate, it’s a whisky that doesn’t whisper—it shouts. Their two debut stars say it all: Crazy Cock RARE – Rich, rounded, and unapologetically full-bodied. Crazy Cock DHUA – A peated, smoky number with BBQ swagger and campfire soul. It recently snagged the Best in Show title at the IWS Awards 2025, proving that India’s whisky can be as wild as it is world-class. Available in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Goa, between Rs 6,000 – Rs 12,500, it’s the rebel you’ll happily take home. DŌAAB: The Artistic Alchemist from Rajasthan If whiskies had an art exhibition, DŌAAB would be front and centre, framed in gold leaf. Distilled and bottled in Behror, Rajasthan by Globus Spirits, DŌAAB’s first release — “01: Six Blind Men and the Elephant” — is a liquid metaphor. Inspired by an ancient Indian parable, every sip tells a new story: tropical fruit, dried dates, golden honey, toasted almonds, and spiced caramel, all dancing in perfect harmony. It’s whisky with philosophy, beautifully wrapped in Mandana-inspired art and produced from sustainably grown Indian six-row barley. With only 500 casks ever made, it’s part drink, part collectible. No wonder it bagged a Gold at the Berlin International Spirits Awards 2025. At Rs 3,700 in Delhi and Rs 6,000 in Maharashtra, DŌAAB isn’t just whisky — it’s art you can drink. Amrut: The OG Trailblazer That Started It All You simply can’t talk about Indian single malts without a bow (or three) to Amrut. This Bengaluru-born legend started India’s single malt movement back in the early 2000s — and continues to school the world in how it’s done. Its Peated Single Malt Cask Strength, bottled at a robust 62.8% ABV, is not for the faint-hearted. Crafted from Scottish peated barley and aged in India’s tropical heat, it delivers a symphony of zesty fruit, honeyed vanilla, and smoky peat — a finish critics have called “one of the best of the year.” Winner of Gold and Best Indian Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2025, Amrut’s legacy remains untouchable. Price: Rs 4,950 – Rs 6,000 — a small price for a sip of history. A Golden Age for Indian Whisky From the serene stills of Jammu to the fiery kilns of Bengaluru, India’s single malt makers are bottling more than just whisky — they’re capturing culture, climate, and character. This is no passing trend. It’s a renaissance — a spirited rebellion proving that great whisky doesn’t have to come from the Highlands or the Hebrides. It can just as easily rise from the Himalayas, shimmer under the Rajasthani sun, and age gracefully by the Arabian Sea. So, the next time someone asks for a “proper Scotch,” maybe pour them a dram of Crazy Cock, DŌAAB, GianChand, or Amrut — and watch their eyebrows lift in delight.
