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Indian whiskies have continued their winning streak in 2024. While homegrown brands like Amrut, Paul John and Rampur have been experimenting with higher-quality, age-statement single malts, Indri, which bagged a couple more awards in the past six months, holds on to its top rank. However, the best whiskies of 2024 aren’t just from India. From Macallan releasing its 18-Year-Old Sherry Oak to Yamazaki being labelled the Japanese whisky of choice, here’s a round-up of whiskies that have emerged as top picks of the year.
10 best whiskies of 2024 between Rs 5,000 and Rs 3 lakh; Add these to your collection
1. Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak
One of Macallan’s recent launches, this 18-year-old expression comprises single malts aged in sherry seasoned casks. This leads to a rich and complex flavour profile, which includes aromas of dried fruit and spices and traces of fresh ginger, orange zest and raisins on the palate.
Price: Rs 29,490
Piccadilly Distilleries’ Indri Dru, launched in the US market last November, has been crowned ‘Whisky of the Year’ at the USA Spirit Rating Awards 2024. It has also bagged several other titles, like ‘Single Malt Whisky of the Year’ and ‘Best Spirit of the Year by Country’, and earned a coveted ‘Gold Medal’ with 95 points. The spirit has a rich aroma of dried fruit, vanilla, and oak, a hint of spice, and dominant notes of dried fruit, vanilla, oak, and dark chocolate on the palate. Considering it has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 57.2 per cent, it is currently not available in India, but can be found in the USA, Canada, UAE, Germany, UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan & Netherlands.
Price: $85-$95
The Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old carries the distillery’s trademark heavily peated style, with the palate developing notes of honey, vanilla, tropical fruits and smoke, and later, hints of toasted oak, dark chocolate, and a touch of citrus zest.
Price: Rs 25,390
This homegrown single malt is the perfect purchase for the winter season. The complex whisky has a complex profile and fruity palate with a hint of oaky vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest that develops into the smokiness of chocolate fudge.
Price: Rs 5,200
One of the greatest whisky finds of this year has been the Yamazaki 18-Year-Old Mizunara, limited edition expression which comprises carefully curated malt whiskies that have aged for a minimum of 18 years in Mizunara casks, providing its elegant Japanese character. Only 2,000 bottles of this particular liquid were produced, which carries notes of subtly spiced oranges and Japanese incense. Its finish is accentuated with clove, sandalwood, and hints of dried coconut.
Price: Rs 3 lakh
Tailored for the sophisticated palate, this premium whisky blends traditional methods of Indian whisky-making with modern refinement. On the nose, it carries pleasing traces of dried fruits, honey, vanilla, and subtle oak, while on the palate, it offers a silky smooth mouthfeel with rich flavors of toffee, caramel, and dark chocolate.
Price: Rs 92,000
Scotland's favourite single-malt scotch whisky is distilled twice in the tallest stills in the country and then aged in ex-bourbon American white oak casks. The end result? A delicious liquid that’s both rich and creamy, carrying traces of honied malt, orchard fruit, banana taffy, vanilla frosting, caramel, spice, oak and copper.
Price: Rs 6,000 (approximately)
There’s nothing like a tasty bourbon to wrap up a stressful year with. The Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with its sweet vanilla, cinnamon, clove, dark berries and white pepper flavours makes every sip worth it.
Price: Rs 7,500
The Paul John Peated Select Cask gives a peat-forward whisky a tropical twist. While its aroma is a blend of earthy smokiness mixed with hints of honey and tropical fruits like pineapple, its smoky palate is balanced by layers of toffee, dark chocolate, mango and papaya. The wood influence adds a touch of spiciness, with pepper and cloves coming through.
Price on request
Made from malted barley sourced from select regions in India, the Rampur Double Cask has a wintry feel, with its unique palate comprising balsamic vanilla, caramel, dried dark fruits, spicy tonalities, sweet fruits, rich sherry, tropical fruit cocktail, sour notes, sweet honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Price: Rs 8,190
