Top 10 Popular Whiskies & Best Whisky Brands in India

There’s no doubt that Indians have an unmatched love for whisky. Be it a bottle of economically priced whisky, or a fine bottle of luxurious scotch whisky, both are equally sought after. The sheer number of whisky brands available in India is a testament to the country’s love for this golden nectar.

There are many economical choices for whisky brands such as Royal Challenge, Officers Choice, Bagpiper, Original Choice, and Director’s Special. Then there are ones that slowly group the scale such as Imperial blue, Blenders Pride, McDowell’s Signature, etc. Here are the best brands of whisky in India in 2022.

Best Whisky Brands in India

We curated a list of top selling whisky brands in India. This list also includes Indian whisky brands.

1. Imperial Blue Whisky

Imperial Blue is a unique blend of scotch malts and Indian grain whisky. This whisky brand is owned by the company Pernod Ricard. It is one of the best-selling whiskeys in India and the third-largest-selling whisky in the world. The smooth taste of the Imperial Blue whisky has made it the crowd favorite of the whisky market.

Price of Imperial Blue Whisky in India = Rs. 455 for 750 milliliters

ABV in Imperial Blue = 42.8%

2. Blenders Pride Reserve Collection Whisky

The Blenders Pride Reserve Collection is one of the most premium whiskies in the country. Finest scotch malts are blended with the best Indian grain spirits and aged in oak barrels using the Solera Process of maturation.

The Blenders Pride Reserve Collection has subtle notes of vanilla, honey, and fruits. The smoky, fruity flavor profile has a rich, creamy, and warm finish.

Price of Blenders Pride Reserve Collection in India = Rs. 1047 for 750 milliliters

ABV in Blenders Pride Reserve Collection = 42.8%

3. Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky

As India’s first single malt whisky, Amrut has managed to make its place in the international whisky market as one of the finest whiskies in the world. The signature fruit, honey, and spice flavor combination has certainly garnered numerous fans all over the world. This Indian whisky is manufactured by Amrut Distilleries. Amrut is an Indian single malt whisky. This Indian whisky is sold in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Singapore, etc.

Price of Amrut Indian Single Malt whisky in India = Rs. 3400 for 750 milliliters

ABV in Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky= 46%

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4. Antiquity Blue Whisky

What makes Antiquity Blue stand out from the rest of the best whisky brands in India is the fact that it is a blend of Scottish grain whiskies rather than Scottish malts and Indian grain whisky brands. This makes the Antiquity Blue a smooth blend, perfect to be had with some water, soda, or ice. Launched in 1992, this whisky has numerous ardent lovers.

Price of Antiquity Blue in India = Rs. 857 for 750 milliliters

ABV in Antiquity Blue = 42.8%

5. Paul John Brilliance Whisky

This is yet another Indian single malt whisky. This whisky produced at the John distilleries which have been previously producing economical whisky options such as Original Choice. Its fine taste and high quality have made it one of the best-selling whisky brands despite its recent release in 2013.

Price of Paul John Brilliance Whisky in India = Rs. 4640

ABV in Paul John Brilliance = 46%

6. McDowell’s Signature Whisky

This iconic whisky bottle is always easily recognizable thanks to its octagonal base. Commonly considered a light whisky in India, the McDowell’s Signature has hints of a molasses-based spirit with smoky undertones.

Price of McDowell’s Signature Whisky in India = Rs. 920 for 750 milliliters

ABV in McDowell’s Signature Whisky = 42.8%

7. Royal Stag Barrel Select Whisky

Royal stag has always been the pioneer in the Indian whisky market. Their unmatched quality and finesse have only been strengthened with the release of the Royal Stag Barrel Select in 2011. Scottish malts and Indian grain whisky brands are blended together and aged in handpicked oak barrels to produce crisp whiskys.

Price of Royal Stag Barrel Select in India = Rs. 663

ABV in Royal Stag Barrel Select = 42.8%

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8. Jameson Irish Whisky

Jameson is one of the most versatile whisky brands in the world. One of Ireland’s most popular exports, the Jameson Irish  Whisky is great to be had neat, with soda, on the rocks or mixed in with cocktails. This fine grain whisky is widely appreciated by whisky lovers and mixologists alike.

The Jameson Irish whisky is made using both malted and unmalted barley, fine grain whisky and distilled thrice. To be called an Irish whisky, it has to be aged for at least three years on the island of Ireland

Price of Jameson Irish Whisky in India = Rs. 2400 for 1 liter

ABV in Jameson Irish Whisky = 40%

9. The Glenlivet 12-Year-Old Whisky

This classic single malt whisky expresses notes of pineapple, which is followed by a creamy aftertaste. This makes the Glenlivet 12-year-old whisky one among the world’s top whiskies. A unique flavor profile and the fact that it comes from the iconic Glenlivet distillery make this one of the best whisky available in India.

Price of Glenlivet 12-Year-Old Whisky = Rs. 5000 for 1 liter

ABV in The Glenlivet 12-Year-Old Whisky = 40%

10. Chivas Regal 12-Year-Old Whisky

This classic single malt whisky expresses notes of pineapple, which are followed by a creamy aftertaste. This makes the Glenlivet 12-year-old whisky one of the world’s top whiskies. A unique flavor profile and the fact that it comes from the iconic Glenlivet distillery make this one of the best whisky brands in India, as well as worldwide, widely known and available.

Price of Chivas Regal 12-Year-Old Whisky = Rs. 2300 for 1 liter

ABV in the Chivas Regal 12-Year-Old Whisky = 40%

11. Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky

Yet another 12 years aged blend of scotch whisky, the Johnnie Walker Black Label, is a mix of Scotch whisky from four different regions of Scotland. The rich taste of this whisky is synonymous with the Johnnie Walker brand. It is one of India’s most loved whisky.

Price of Johnnie Walker Black Label = Rs. 2800 for 1 liter

ABV in Johnnie Walker Black Label = 40%

12. Dewar’s White Label Whisky

This fast-growing American brand is Scotch Whisky has recently been doing great in the Indian market. Reasonable pricing and high accolades garnered at whisky tasting competitions have made Dewar’s even more popular. The Dewar’s White Label, in particular, has been the most loved all over the world. This is because of its vanilla, pear and fudge-like flavor profile, which is accompanied by a fruity aroma .

Price of Dewar’s White Label Whisky in India = Rs. 1480 for 1 liter

ABV IN Dewar’s White Label Whisky = 40%

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Types of Whisky

Whisky is made using distilling fermented grains. It is believed that it was invented in countries like Scotland, where grapes were scarce to make spirits like wines. Hence, they used the one commodity that they did have in abundance, which was grains. Slowly, whisky made its way around the globe, with many different variations popping up in different countries to match their tastes and the availability of raw materials.

1. Irish whiskey

Irish whisky tends to have light and fruity characteristics. Irish whisky is traditionally distilled in copper pots. To be called an Irish whisky, it must be aged for a minimum of three years in Ireland.

1.1. Single malt

This is completely made from malted barley in a single distillery.

1.2. Grain

This is a lighter whisky made with corn or grain.

2. American whiskey

American whiskeys are usually aged in charred oak barrels. Their ABV levels remain under 80%. In a nutshell, American whiskies have a sweeter flavor profile without the smoky, peaty, or briny flavor that most other whiskeys do.

2.1. Bourbon

To classify as a Bourbon, a whisky must be made of 51% corn mash.

2.2. Rye

The whisky must at least partially be made of rye mash and should be distilled down to no more than 80% ABV.

2.3. Wheat

This whisky is made of 51% wheat mash.

2.4. Tennessee

This whisky is quite similar to a Bourbon, however; it goes through a charcoal filtration process, which makes the whisky a little milder in flavor.

2.5. American Single Malt

A very popular whisky type, the American single malts tend to have a smoky, aromatic, and honey-like taste.

3. Scotch whisky

The Scotch whisky has a rich and vibrant history behind it. This is the reason why different regions of Scotland are known for producing different types of whiskies. All scotch whiskeys are made from malted barley, aged for at least three years and must be made in Scotland.

3.1. Highland

The highlands cover the most area of all the five sections in Scotland. The whiskys made in these regions tend to have a fruity flavor with a little bit of spice.

3.2. Lowland

There are only three functioning distilleries in this area which are- Bladnoch, Glenkinchie, and Auchentoshan. The whiskys produced here are mild bodied and have lighter characteristics.

3.3. Campbeltown

The whisky here is influenced by the sea. Just as the Lowlands, only three distilleries function here- Springbank, Glengyle and Glen Scotia.

3.4. Islay

Like Campbeltown, Islay region is also heavily influenced by the sea that surrounds it. This tends to show in the taste of the whisky of the region which has a briny and smoky taste.

3.5. Speyside

With the river Spey running through the region, it is home to over half of all the Scottish distilleries. These are some of the best scotch whiskys with sweeter tones and a rich finish.

4. Japanese whisky

These are some of the most unique whisky brands. Japanese whisky brands take inspiration from the Lowlands and Speyside whiskies of Scotland. They are light whiskies with smooth, delicate flavors and the added sweetness of honey. Japan is constantly using cutting-edge technology to produce whiskies to match the needs of consumers and, on the other hand, countries like Scotland still practice traditional processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few interesting FAQs we answered about top selling whisky in India.

1. What is the difference between whiskey and whisky?

There is no difference between the two words, except the spellings are different. Whiskey with an ‘e’ is spelled in the United States and Ireland; and whisky without an ‘e’ in Canada and Scotland.

2. Is whisky bad for your health?

Any alcohol type is bad for your health, if not consumed in a moderate quantity. It could lead to liver problems in the long term. Alcohol should be consumed in limited quantities. In fact, you must consult a doctor if you are on any kind of medication or if you are an expecting mother.

3. What is the safe limit of drinking whiskey? How much whisky should I drink?

As per Harvard T.H. Chan- School of Public Health, keep it moderate- you must drink not more than 2 drinks a day. In the case of women, ideally one drink a day is okay.

4. Which brand is best in whisky?

Here are some of the top selling whisky brands in India.

• Imperial Blue Whisky
• Blenders Pride Reserve Collection Whisky
• Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky
• Antiquity Blue Whisky
• Paul John Brilliance Whisky

5. Which is the most popular whisky?

Some of the popular whisky brands are:

• McDowell’s Signature Whisky
• Royal Stag Barrel Select Whisky
• Jameson Irish Whisky
• The Glenlivet 12-Year-Old Whisky
• Imperial Blue Whisky
• Blenders Pride Reserve Collection Whisky
• Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky

6. What is America’s favorite whisky?

Top selling brands such as Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Evan Williams and Maker’s Mark are a few of America’s favorite whisky.

7. What is the smoothest whisky?

These whiskies’ brands are considered to be the smoothest whisky, which are:

• Balvenie DoubleWood
• Glenmorangie Signet
• Jonnie Walker Blue Label

Final Words

Whether you like your whisky neat, with soda on the rocks, or mixed in a cocktail, it is most important to enjoy it responsibly in the elegant whiskey glass and by having one of the best whisky brands in India. We hope this list helps you explore the whisky world.