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AI generated summary, newsroom reviewed
India's whisky renaissance was unmistakable at the 2026 Bartender Spirits Awards, where eight Indian whiskies earned Gold or Double Gold medals. Judged blind by bartenders, bar managers and buyers, the awards recognised whiskies for taste, balance, mixability, value and packaging. Leading the Indian field was Godawan 02 Fruit & Spice Indian Single Malt Whisky, which won Double Gold, Indian Single Malt Whisky of the Year, and Spirit of the Year India with 97 points. Check out the Indian whiskies that impressed the hospitality trade and helped position the country as a serious force in premium whisky production.
The standout of the night was Godawan 02 Fruit & Spice, which picked up Double Gold, was named Indian Single Malt Whisky of the Year, and even took home Spirit of the Year for India, all with a score of 97 points. It's made at Diageo India's distillery in Alwar, Rajasthan, starting with six-row barley grown in the region. The whisky spends time in cherry wood casks before finishing in bourbon barrels that have been conditioned with two Ayurvedic botanicals, Rasna and Jatamansi. Tasters picked up on vanilla, orchard fruit, citrus peel, oak and molasses, an unusual combination that clearly worked in its favour.
Not far behind was Doberman Super Premium Whisky XR from Goa's Cheers Group, which earned Gold with 95 points. Aged in charred oak barrels, it opens with brown sugar and oak on the nose before settling into a creamy, layered palate of fruit and spice that lingers well after the last sip.
Kadamba's World Cask expression also scored 95 points and took Gold. It's distilled in copper pot stills in Goa and matured across several different types of casks, which gives it a full, rounded character. Judges pointed to flavours of molasses, oak, cinnamon, leather and clove, and also mentioned the decanter it's presented in, which added a nice finishing touch.
Royal Ranthambore whisky had a strong showing of its own, winning both Gold and Blended Whisky of the Year with a score of 95. Made by Radico Khaitan, it blends Scotch malts with Indian grain spirit, landing on a profile that's easy to drink but still has some depth to it, with caramel, malt, orchard fruit and a light touch of spice.
Cheers Group had another winner in The Three Monkeys Indian Single Whisky, which took Gold at 94 points. It's matured across wine, bourbon and sherry casks, and the result is a whisky with tropical fruit aromas alongside vanilla, apple, cinnamon and a gentle smoky finish.
Maltage Aged Malt Whisky matched that score, also earning Gold at 94 points. This blend of aged malt and Indian grain spirits matures in American white oak, giving it layers of caramel, brown sugar, leather, tobacco and warm spice.
Godawan 01 Rich & Rounded, the companion to the night's big winner, picked up Gold with 90 points. It spends time in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks before finishing in bourbon barrels treated with the same Ayurvedic botanicals used in Godawan 02. What comes through is dark fruit, charred oak and a light touch of smoke, finishing smooth.
Rounding out India's wins was Rampur Barrel Blush, which also took Gold at 90 points. Produced by Radico Khaitan in Uttar Pradesh, this single malt starts out in American bourbon barrels before moving into Australian Shiraz wine casks. Along the way it picks up floral honey, cereal grain, baking spice and clean oak.
