Indian single malt sales rise 22 per cent to 5 lakh cases in 2025

Indian single malt whisky sales are estimated to reach around 5 lakh nine-litre cases in 2025, registering growth of approximately 22 per cent, according to data released by the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC).

The category, which has gained international recognition in recent years for its craftsmanship and has won several global awards, has been driven mainly by Indian brands such as Amrut, Rampur, Indri and Paul John. Newer entrants including Solan Gold, GianChand, Doaab, Crazy Cock, Aaghaz and Gamber Valley have also contributed to the category’s growth as demand for premium and luxury spirits increases in India.

According to CIABC, Indian companies continue to dominate the ‘Made in India’ Single Malt Whisky segment, accounting for an estimated 92 per cent of category sales in 2025.

Brands owned by foreign and multinational companies, including Diageo’s Godawan and Pernod Ricard’s Longitude 77, are estimated to account for around 35,000 nine-litre cases, or about 7 per cent of the category.

“Within the ‘Made in India’ Single Malt Whisky category, brands made by Indian companies account for the dominant share of sales. For 2025, Indian manufacturers are estimated to account for around 92 per cent of the category, translating to approximately 4.65 lakh cases,” the industry body said.

The ‘Made in India’ Single Malt Whisky category has grown steadily over the past three years, increasing from an estimated 3.5 lakh nine-litre cases in 2023 to around 4 lakh cases in 2024 and further to approximately 5 lakh cases in 2025.

The data shows a cumulative increase of nearly 43 per cent over two years, reflecting the premiumisation of India’s whisky market and rising consumer acceptance of Indian-origin single malts. Entry-level bottles are priced from around Rs 2,300, while premium or aged flagship expressions are commonly sold in the Rs 5,500 to Rs 8,000 range.

CIABC director general Anant S Iyer said Indian single malts are gaining wider recognition among consumers for their quality, distinctive taste profile and premium positioning.

“Once viewed as a niche category, Indian single malts are increasingly being recognised for their distinctive taste profile, climate-led maturation, award-winning quality, specialised cask finishes and Indian provenance. They are finding stronger acceptance among consumers looking for premium luxury whisky options,” Iyer said.

CIABC data also showed that imported single malt whiskies, which are bottled in origin, continue to maintain a significant presence in the Indian market, with volumes estimated at around 3.5 lakh nine-litre cases in 2025.

Combined, imported and locally produced single malts have expanded the overall market to around 8.5 lakh cases, reflecting growing demand among Indian consumers for premium, craft-led and provenance-driven whisky.

Iyer said Indian single malt whisky has moved beyond being a niche, award-winning category and is emerging as a significant premium spirits segment.

“Indian single malt is no longer only an awards-led story; it is becoming a measurable premium spirits category. Indian companies continue to lead this space with several new domestic players lining up launches and global companies operating in India also investing in Indian-origin single malts,” he said.

According to Iyer, the trend highlights the growing strength of the “Make in India” initiative in the premium spirits sector and underlines the need for a fair and enabling policy environment to help Indian premium spirits expand in domestic and international markets.

Recently, the Indian Malt Whisky Association (IMWA) introduced a certification trademark in the form of a hologram to establish authenticity and quality standards. The certification will be granted exclusively to manufacturers that comply with IMWA’s defined production standards, which are aligned with globally recognised benchmarks while accounting for India’s distinct terroir and climatic conditions.

(With inputs from agencies)