The best whisky bottle on a shelf is usually the one that starts a spirited conversation and keeps it going. Whether it is the presence of smoke that makes a guest pause or the first sip that has someone asking what exactly they are drinking, these special whiskies make sure they are noticed and commented on. We feature 5 award-winning single malt whiskies that are built for that very moment including the Glenlivet 21 Year Old, Yamazaki 12 Year Old, Aberfeldy 21 Year Old, Kavalan Podium and Bowmore 18 Year Old whisky. They come from Speyside, Japan, the Highlands, Taiwan and Islay, and several have collected medals or high scores in 2026. We have also pulled together the whisky prices as listed in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, so you know what a bottle will cost well before you go looking.
This is Speyside at its most polished. A triple-cask finish in Oloroso sherry, Cognac and vintage Port casks layers ripe peach, dried fruit, warming spice and chocolate-coated ginger. It has earned Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, and it suits anyone who likes fruit and oak without peat smoke getting in the way.
The Glenlivet 21 Year Old Whisky price at Delhi Duty Free: Rs 29,480.
Yamazaki 12 is an accessible introduction to Japanese single malt whiskies. Peach, candied orange, honey and gentle spice sit alongside a restrained woodiness shaped by different oak casks, including Japanese Mizunara oak. At the 2026 World Whiskies Awards it took Gold in the Japanese single malt category for whiskies aged 12 years and under.
Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky price in Bengaluru: Rs 19,380.
Aberfeldy 21 shows the softer, fruit-led side of Highland Scotch. Honey, blackcurrant, orchard fruit, figs and oak lead, with a gentle spice building towards the finish. It was named Best Scotch Highlands Single Malt in the 21-years-and-over category at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, which makes it a bottle to note for anyone drawn to mature Highland whisky.
Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Whisky price in Bengaluru: Rs 21,045.
Kavalan Podium, from Taiwan, shows what a warmer climate can do to maturation. Tropical fruit, vanilla, caramel and oak make for a rounded, fruit-forward dram. It scored 92.03 points at the 2026 International Whisky Competition, placing it among the competition's highly rated whiskies. It's a good pick if you want to look beyond Scotch and Japanese malts.
Kavalan Podium Single Malt Whisky price in Mumbai: Rs 22,050.
For drinkers who want something with more edge, Bowmore 18 brings the smoky complexity of Islay. Eighteen years in the cask yield candied orange, toasted almonds, dark chocolate and caramel, held together by restrained peat smoke. The Bowmore 18 Year Old Whisky won Gold at the 2026 International Spirits Challenge and Double Gold at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, adding fresh recognition to its reputation as a mature Islay single malt.
Bowmore 18 Year Old Whisky price at Delhi Duty Free: Rs 14,880.
Note: All whisky prices mentioned, whether in Delhi, Bengaluru or Mumbai, are approximate and may vary depending on the retailer, bottle availability, state taxes and excise duties. Delhi Duty Free prices may differ from those at regular city liquor stores. Check with an authorised retailer for the latest whisky prices before purchasing.
| Whisky | Price and City |
|---|---|
| The Glenlivet 21 Year Old | Rs 29,480 (Delhi Duty Free) |
| Yamazaki 12 Year Old | Rs 19,380 (Bengaluru) |
| Aberfeldy 21 Year Old | Rs 21,045 (Bengaluru) |
| Kavalan Podium | Rs 22,050 (Mumbai) |
| Bowmore 18 Year Old | Rs 14,880 (Delhi Duty Free) |
Which award-winning single malt whisky is the most expensive on this list?
The Glenlivet 21 Year Old, priced at approximately Rs 29,480 at Delhi Duty Free, is the most expensive bottle on this list.
Which whisky on this list is known for its smoky flavour?
Bowmore 18 Year Old is known for its Islay peat smoke, complemented by notes of dark chocolate, caramel and candied orange.
Which Japanese single malt whisky features in the list?
Yamazaki 12 Year Old is the Japanese single malt on this list, known for its notes of peach, candied orange, honey and gentle spice.
Which whisky on this list comes from Taiwan?
Kavalan Podium is a Taiwanese single malt known for its tropical fruit, vanilla, caramel and oak notes.