Tag Archives: Whisky Awards

D’YAVOL Vortex wins ‘Best New Scotch Whisky of the Year’

D’YAVOL Vortex has been crowned the ‘Best New Scotch Whisky of the Year’ and honoured with a Double Gold at the 2025 San Francisco Spirits Competition. A contemporary blended Scotch, D’YAVOL Vortex is crafted from a selection of single malt and single grain whiskies sourced from the Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside and Islay regions.

It opens with notes of vanilla fudge and soft peat, followed by layers of ripe orchard fruit, sherried richness, warm pecan pie, and smoky malt, before culminating in a smooth finish. With a malt-forward profile, gentle Islay influence, and a non-chill-filtered body, Vortex delivers exceptional texture, layered depth, and a nuanced palate.

On Vortex’s success, Shah Rukh Khan said, “We set out to create a brand that reflects who we are—bold, modern, and uncompromising in quality. Seeing D’YAVOL celebrated on the most coveted global stage is deeply gratifying, and a reminder that excellence will always find its audience.”

Leti Blagoeva, CEO, D’YAVOL Spirits, added, “The recognition from San Francisco comes on the heels of a remarkable run of international acclaim for Vortex, including the title of ‘Blended Scotch of the Year’ at the London Spirits Competition 2025.”

Amar Sinha, Chief Operating Officer at Radico Khaitan, commented, “Vortex exemplifies the collective ambition at the heart of D’YAVOL Spirits; to craft world-class expressions that seamlessly unite authenticity, innovation, and masterful craftsmanship. It’s immensely rewarding to see that vision resonate so powerfully across global markets and with discerning whisky connoisseurs.”

D’YAVOL’s award winning portfolio of luxury spirits also includes D’YAVOL Single Estate Vodka and D’YAVOL Inception Blended Malt Scotch, both globally awarded. The brand is currently available in India, the UAE and the UK, with further international markets to follow.

Glenmorangie Introduces an evolved version of its classic flagship

Glenmorangie – a name that is famed with Highland Single Malt has released an evolved version of its classic original – Glenmorangie The Original 12 Years Old. The new release is priced at INR 6,602 in Mumbai and INR 5,190 in Delhi, Glenmorangie Original 12 Years Old will be available across select outlets in India from October 27, 2025.

The new variant extends maturation from 10 to 12 years and the makers suggest that these added 2 years if maturation makes the malt truly unique. It adds smoothness, depth and complexity to Glenmorangie’s signature notes of orange, honey, vanilla and peach. The launch also marks the India visit of Dr. Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks at The Glenmorangie Company.

The 12-year expression comes hot on the heels of the recognition with a gold medal at the World Whiskies Awards 2024. 

Dr. Bill Lumsden shared, “When we explored the idea of extending maturation, our goal was to bring added balance and dimension to The Original. The 12-year-old release builds on the familiar foundation while introducing subtle richness and complexity that naturally emerged over time.”Adding to this, Smriti Sekhsaria, Marketing Director, Moët Hennessy India, said, “Consumers in India are increasingly exploring aged single malts and nuanced flavour profiles. The introduction of Glenmorangie Original 12-Year-Old reflects this growing appreciation and aligns with the evolving preferences of discerning whisky drinkers.”

Godawan 100 adjudged ‘Single Malt Whisky of the Year’

Godawan 100, a Collector’s-Edition artisanal single malt, from Diageo India, was adjudged the ‘Single Malt Whisky of the Year’ at the 2024 London Spirits Competition. With 96 points, Godawan 100 topped the score charts in the single malt whisky category from across the world.

Godawan 100 boasts pronounced tropical notes, a lighter palate and a short finish. Its sweet palate reveals notes of caramel, charcoal, cinnamon, and anise, leading to a long, dry finish. Filip Stribrny, Judge, London Spirits Competition, explained “Godawan 100 is a very complex whisky, with rich flavours of dried fruits, sultanas, and dark chocolate. It also has a very balanced flavour profile with a dark, dry finish of oak.” 

As India’s first artisanal single malt whisky from Rajasthan, Godawan is pushing boundaries in whisky craftsmanship and this can be witnessed in the other expressions from the brand portfolio, Godawan01 rich and rounded and Godawan 02 fruit and spicebeing awarded gold medals at the London Spirits Competition 2024. 

“Judges loved the quality of producers from India in the 2024 edition of London Spirits Competition and among the brands, Godawan was the best-preferred brand where all the products from the brand got gold medals,” said Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network, organiser of London Spirits Competition. 

These wins add to the Godawan’s record tally of 42 national and international accolades for its liquid innovation, packaging design, and marketing campaigns – establishing it as the most awarded Indian single malt in the recent times. In 2023, the whisky made India proud at the globally renowned Monde Selection Quality Awards in Brussels –securing a Grand Gold Medal for its 02 Fruit and Spice Expression and a Gold Medal for its01 Rich and Rounded expression. 

The whisky is slow-trickle distilled from locally sourced six-row barley, thereby extracting optimal sensory performance. Distilled in Alwar, Rajasthan, the liquid is matured at temperatures exceeding 100°F, resulting in a whisky with a rich and complex character. The arid climatic conditions observed in Godawan contribute to a heightened “Angel’s share” phenomenon, imparting an extraordinary flavour profile that enthralls the senses.  Godawan’s 01 rich and rounded expression offers notes of sultanas and dried fruits on the nose, and raisin, sultana, fig, and apricot on the palate. The finish ends with mature wood, caramel, and a butteriness like baklava. Godawan’s 02 Fruit and Spice expression has fruity aromas on the nose and a palate that boasts rich fruit and floral notes, along with vanilla, sweet ginger, and coconut. It leaves a lingering finish with a dash of spice and roasted coffee beans.