Tag Archives: Craft Whisky

Tilaknagar Industries Debuting Seven Islands Pure Malt Whisky

Launch marks entry into whisky for India’s largest brandy producer
Seven Islands is an Indo-Scottish 100% Pure Malt Whisky, made with four distinct single malts

Tilaknagar Industries Ltd. (TI) has recently enterd into the premium whisky category with the launch of Seven Islands Pure Malt Whisky. Crafted from select Indian and Scottish malts, it is a distinct 100% pure malt expression.

The launch marks a significant strategic expansion for TI, best known for building India’s brandy market with icons like Mansion House and more recently, Monarch Legacy Edition, and comes on the heels of its announcement of the acquisition of Imperial Blue, the world’s third largest-selling whisky brand. With this, the 90-year-old company establishes whisky as its second major growth pillar alongside its long-standing leadership in brandy.

“India’s whisky story is evolving faster than ever, with growing consumer demand for premium and luxury expressions. Seven Islands marks TI’s entry into this dynamic category, bringing together Indian craftsmanship and global expertise to create a whisky that is both distinctly Indian and globally competitive. With whisky commanding over 60% of India’s spirits market, expanding into this category was the next natural step for us,” said Amit Dahanukar, Chairman and Managing Director, Tilaknagar Industries.

A New Style of Whisky

Seven Islands introduces a style that moves beyond the single-malt focus that has shaped recent conversations around Indian whisky. As a pure malt, it blends four single malts—two from India and two from Scotland, allowing it to draw unique characteristics from multiple distilleries, regions and maturation styles.

The Indian malts are sourced from the Himalayan foothills and the Vindhyan ranges, bringing the influence of high-altitude and tropical ageing. These are paired with malts from Speyside and the Lowlands, two of Scotland’s most recognised whisky regions. This Indo-Scottish duality creates a profile not possible through a single-region malt. With single malts driving recent premium growth, Seven Islands offers a new direction: a pure malt style shaped by two climates, two traditions, and a more complex blending philosophy.

A Tribute to Mumbai’s Seven Islands

Seven Islands takes its name from the archipelago of seven islands that once formed the city of Mumbai—the long-time home of Tilaknagar Industries and the backdrop to much of its growth. This connection is built into the bottle design. Two converging lines create the V-cut neck, hinting at the Indian and Scottish malts coming together, while fine cartographic lines reference the contours of the original islands. At the centre sits an anchor motif, a nod to Mumbai’s maritime heritage. The palette of sage, cream and gold keeps the design crisp, contemporary and quietly premium.

“Seven Islands reflects our vision for House of TI, our new vertical which includes our premium portfolio and investments arm. House of TI was created to shape our premium and craft-led portfolio, beginning with Monarch Legacy Edition. With Seven Islands, we wanted to bring a new perspective and style to Indian whisky. It felt like the right way to introduce something distinctive, and a meaningful step forward for us as we expand into the whisky category,” said Sanaya Dahanukar, Marketing Manager, Tilaknagar Industries.

The Whisky Opportunity in India

Whisky remains India’s most loved and aspirational spirits category, accounting for about 66% of total consumption in 2024 according to IWSR. By volume, Indian whisky grew 7% year-on-year in H1 2025, crossing 130 million cases and showing continued premiumisation. Exports are expanding as well, signalling rising global interest in Indian-made whiskies and premium expressions. For TI, a company that has built scale and expertise through long-standing leadership in brandy, the opportunity in whisky presents a clear and timely growth avenue.

Tasting notes:

Colour: Natural, brilliant, golden yellow.

Aroma: Smooth and inviting, with tropical fruits, dried nuts, and hints of French and American oak layered with Indian spice.
Taste: Full-bodied and balanced, with sweet, dried fruits, soft spice, creamy texture, and a touch of smoke.
Finish: Long, smooth, and warm, with lingering notes of oak, spice, and dried fruits.

Product Details:

Size: 750 ml

ABV: 42.8%
Price & Availability: `5,200 (Maharashtra)

Ajay Devgn’s The GlenJourneys Enters India’s Premium Single Malt Market

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The GlenJourneys a luxury single malt brand co-founded by actor, entrepreneur Ajay Devgn, along with Cartel Bros, officially steps into the Indian retail space with its Cask Series. After the debut of its flagship Pioneer Edition, a rare Luxury 21-year-old Highland single malt priced at ₹50,000, which was available in select international duty-free shops, The GlenJourneysis now available in India with a premium edition priced at ₹ 6409. With this entry, the brand is aiming to capture 20% of India’s rapidly expanding luxury whisky single malt segment within the next two years in an industry currently growing at 7% year-on-year.

Crafted in the Scottish Highlands, The GlenJourneys new Cask Series—finished in Rum, Bourbon, and Sherry casks—has been curated exclusively for India, bringing together global whisky-making expertise with a vision tailored to the local market. The Pioneer Edition, with only 600 bottles released worldwide, positioned the brand on the global luxury map.

Maharashtra will be the first market for The GlenJourneys Cask Series, with the brand targeting 10,000 cases in the state by the end of this financial year. The next phase of the rollout will see launches across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, and Chandigarh in November 2025, followed by other key markets in early 2026.

Left to Right: Rohan Nihalani, Manish Sani, Ajay Devgn, Mokksh Sani – Co-Founders of Cartel Bros, Luvish Sani – Director of The Cartel Bros

Mokksh Sani, Founder of Living Liquidz, Mansionz, and Co-founder of Cartel Bros, said, “Age refines a whisky— but a great cask defines it. Twelve years may give you a beautifully matured spirit, but a fine cask finish transforms it—it’s not just apple, it’s apple plus. Each expression in The GlenJourneys Cask Series reveals its own distinctive character on the palate, setting it apart from the conventional single malts that simply line the shelf.”

Ajay Devgn, Co-Founder of The GlenJourneys, added: “Globally, whisky lovers are chasing cask-finished malts for the craftsmanship they embody—where tradition meets innovation, and patience meets precision. The GlenJourneys elevates that pursuit with a Cask Series that’s been thoughtfully curated, where every finish reveals the quiet power of time, wood, and artistry.”

Amrut Bags Triple Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

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Amrut Distilleries from Bengaluru has walked away with several awards at the recently concluded 2025 edition of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). Amrut made history by becoming the only Indian distillery to take home three Double Golds and an additional Gold.

The Double Gold winners are Amrut Fusion Single Malt; Amrut Indian Single Malt; and the Amrut Kurinji Indian Single Malt, while Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt bagged a Gold.

It was in 2010 that Amrut Fusion really put Amrut on the world map when Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible declared Fusion as the third best whisky in the world. Since then, there has been no looking back for Amrut, with the Indian market also standing up and taking notice.

At the San Francisco competition, it was Amrut Fusion which captured the imagination of the judges. Amrut Fusion, the brand ambassador of Indian Single Malt, is sourced from barleys from two distinct regions – Himalayas and peated barley from Scotland. It is distilled and matured separately in both old and new American oak barrels at the Benguluru distillery.

Amrut Indian Single Malt is the backbone of the brand’s identity. Using locally sourced barley and traditional techniques, Amrut captures the essence of the Indian terroir. The Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt offers a layered drinking experience.

The relatively newer Amrut Kurinji has quickly made its mark by portraying a different side of Indian whisky – one that’s unorthodox, adventurous, and expressive. It’s part of a new generation of spirits that aren’t afraid to take risks, much like the independent bottlers that inspired it. Bottled at 46% ABV, Kurinji epitomises the essence of Indian craftsmanship and terroir. Named after the Kurinji flower which blooms every 12 years in the Nilgiri hills, the whisky pays homage to the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Rakshit N Jagdale, Managing Director of Amrut Distilleries, said, “We are extremely pleased to receive this award from such a prestigious forum. It reaffirms that we are crafting spirits of truly world-class repute, and strengthens our resolve in the continued pursuit of delivering exceptional quality to our consumers.”

Piccadily Targets 1 Million Cases of Whistler Barrel Whisky in 3 years

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Relaunches Whistler Barrel Aged Blended Malt Whisky
Positioned in mid-premium segment

Piccadily Agro Industries Limited has relaunched Whistler Barrel Aged Blended Malt Whisky, featuring new packaging and premium blend.

Piccadily said that Whistler’s new avatar is a celebration of barrel ageing, maturation and the art of blending. The finest matured malt and grain spirits have been handpicked and aged in oak wood barrels, creating a whisky that’s smoother, more elegant and even more memorable than before, it said. Inspired by the Whistler Warbler, a vibrant songbird native to the region of Indri, the packaging reflects the whisky’s premium ethos with a modern and sophisticated design.

The relaunched Whistler expression offers a more layered and complex drinking experience—crafted for today’s evolving palate, yet grounded in traditional whisky-making excellence.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Warm and inviting, with dried apple and apricot at the forefront. Vanilla cream and caramelised malt add delicate sweetness, complemented by toasted oak, cinnamon, and floral hints.
Palate: Silky and well-rounded with a rich malt core. Notes of toffee, pineapple, and vanilla glide through the sip, underscored by gentle spice and warmth.
Finish: Medium to long, leaving a graceful trail of mellow sweetness and soft refinement.

Whistler Whisky (750 ml / 42.8% ABV) will be available across premium retail outlets and on-trade venues across India, with plans for export expansion in the coming months, the company said.

“Whistler’s new premium look is more than a brand refresh — it’s a strategic play to capture the next wave of premium whisky consumers,” said Praveen Malviya, CEO – IMFL, Piccadily Agro Industries Limited. “With its elevated blend and bold new identity, Whistler is poised to disrupt the mid-premium segment. Our goal is ambitious — 1 million cases in the next three years — and we’re confident Whistler will become a powerhouse brand that redefines what Indian blended malts can achieve.”