Indian whisky
Encyclopedia
Indian whisky is a distilled
alcoholic beverage
that is labelled as "whisky
" in India
. Much Indian whisky is based on spirits that are distilled from fermented molasses
. Outside of India, such a drink would more likely be labelled a rum
(some brands can be about 12% malt whisky, with the rest fermented molasses).
was introduced into India
during the nineteenth century, during the period of the British Raj
. Scotch style whisky is the most popular sort of distilled alcoholic beverage in India, though India has traditionally been thought to lack a domestic drinking culture
, with the exception of Rajputs and Jats. Although India now has a high level of alcohol consumption, even to the point where the government has called for mandatory "dry weekends" where alcohol is not purchasable in any market in New Delhi. Whisky, however, has become fashionable for wealthier Indians, and as such the market for whisky among affluent Indians is one of the largest in the world.
90% of the "whisky" consumed in India is molasses based, although India has begun to distil whisky from malt and other grains. Brand names of Indian molasses whisky, including "Bagpiper", "McDowell's No. 1", and the partially malt based "MaQintosh" suggest that the inspiration behind the Indian whiskies is Scotch whisky, despite these products being chiefly made from molasses.
barriers that impose a significant markup of up to 52.5% on imported whiskies in India. Imported Scotch whisky bottled under its own brand makes up only 1% of the total market share. The substantial tax markup on imported whiskies has been categorized by the Scotch Whisky Association
as "pure protectionism".
Under Vijay Mallya
's direction, United Breweries has been acquiring a number of noted whisky brands and distilleries in Scotland
, including Dalmore, Isle of Jura, and Whyte & Mackay. United Breweries has been increasing production at its Scottish facilities, and has moved to double the production of whisky at Invergordon
. Some of the Scotch whisky so produced is used to blend with the Indian molasses whisky.
Indian distillers, by contrast, accuse the European Community of erecting its own sort of trade barriers by means of rules that forbid the marketing of molasses based spirits as "whisky". Mallya has objected to the EC's refusal of entry to molasses based whiskies, claiming that the "imposition of British imperialism is unacceptable". In a lawsuit brought in India by the Scotch Whisky Association, the Delhi High Court
enjoined Indian whisky manufacturers from labelling their product with the words "Scot" or "Scotch".
Distillation
Distillation is a method of separating mixtures based on differences in volatilities of components in a boiling liquid mixture. Distillation is a unit operation, or a physical separation process, and not a chemical reaction....
alcoholic beverage
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
that is labelled as "whisky
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
" in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Much Indian whisky is based on spirits that are distilled from fermented molasses
Molasses
Molasses is a viscous by-product of the processing of sugar cane, grapes or sugar beets into sugar. The word molasses comes from the Portuguese word melaço, which ultimately comes from mel, the Latin word for "honey". The quality of molasses depends on the maturity of the sugar cane or sugar beet,...
. Outside of India, such a drink would more likely be labelled a rum
Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
(some brands can be about 12% malt whisky, with the rest fermented molasses).
Indian whisky and Scotch whisky
The drinking of Scotch whiskyScotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
was introduced into India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
during the nineteenth century, during the period of the British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
. Scotch style whisky is the most popular sort of distilled alcoholic beverage in India, though India has traditionally been thought to lack a domestic drinking culture
Drinking culture
Drinking culture refers to the customs and practices associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Although alcoholic beverages and social attitudes toward drinking vary around the world, nearly every civilization has independently discovered the processes of brewing beer, fermenting...
, with the exception of Rajputs and Jats. Although India now has a high level of alcohol consumption, even to the point where the government has called for mandatory "dry weekends" where alcohol is not purchasable in any market in New Delhi. Whisky, however, has become fashionable for wealthier Indians, and as such the market for whisky among affluent Indians is one of the largest in the world.
90% of the "whisky" consumed in India is molasses based, although India has begun to distil whisky from malt and other grains. Brand names of Indian molasses whisky, including "Bagpiper", "McDowell's No. 1", and the partially malt based "MaQintosh" suggest that the inspiration behind the Indian whiskies is Scotch whisky, despite these products being chiefly made from molasses.
Indian Whisky Brands
- Premium Segment
- Black Dog
- Whyte & Mackay
- McDowell's Single Malt Whisky
- Antiquity Blue
- Antiquity Rare
- McDowell's Signature
- Royal Challenge
- Blender's Pride
- Royal Circle
- Signature
- Prestige Segment
- McDowell's No. 1 Diet Mate
- Royal Stag
- McDowell's No. 1
- McDowell's No. 1 Platinum
- Red Knight
- Aristrocrat Premium
- Regular Segment
- Royal Special
- Diplomat
- Bagpiper Gold
- Imperial Blue
- DSP Black
- BagpiperBagpiper WhiskyBagpiper Whisky is an Indian whisky made by United Breweries. Bagpiper whisky is the India's largest selling whisky. Bagpiper whisky was launched in October 1976.Bagpiper whisky is based on spirits that are distilled from fermented molasses...
-
- Director's Special
- McDowell's Green Label
- Officer's Choice
- Original Choice
- Aristocrat
- Cheap Segment
- Hayward's Whisky
- Old Tavern
- Raja whisky
- magik
Trade controversy
The consumption of native distilled molasses based whisky in India is encouraged by tariffTariff
A tariff may be either tax on imports or exports , or a list or schedule of prices for such things as rail service, bus routes, and electrical usage ....
barriers that impose a significant markup of up to 52.5% on imported whiskies in India. Imported Scotch whisky bottled under its own brand makes up only 1% of the total market share. The substantial tax markup on imported whiskies has been categorized by the Scotch Whisky Association
Scotch Whisky Association
The Scotch Whisky Association is a trade organisation that represents the Scotch whisky industry. The Scotch whisky industry is an important part of the Scottish economy, and particularly the Scottish export market.-Structure:...
as "pure protectionism".
Under Vijay Mallya
Vijay Mallya
Vijay Mallya is an Indian liquor and airline baron. The son of industrialist Vittal Mallya, he is the chairman of the United Breweries Group and Kingfisher Airlines. His United Spirits is world's second largest liquor maker, by volume...
's direction, United Breweries has been acquiring a number of noted whisky brands and distilleries in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, including Dalmore, Isle of Jura, and Whyte & Mackay. United Breweries has been increasing production at its Scottish facilities, and has moved to double the production of whisky at Invergordon
Invergordon
Invergordon is a town and port in Easter Ross, in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.-History:The town is well known for the Invergordon Mutiny of 1931. More recently it was also known for the repair of oil rigs which used to be lined up in the Cromarty Firth on which the town is situated...
. Some of the Scotch whisky so produced is used to blend with the Indian molasses whisky.
Indian distillers, by contrast, accuse the European Community of erecting its own sort of trade barriers by means of rules that forbid the marketing of molasses based spirits as "whisky". Mallya has objected to the EC's refusal of entry to molasses based whiskies, claiming that the "imposition of British imperialism is unacceptable". In a lawsuit brought in India by the Scotch Whisky Association, the Delhi High Court
Delhi High Court
The High Court of Delhi was established on 31 October 1966. The High Court of Delhi was established with four judges. They were Chief Justice K. S. Hegde, Justice I. D. Dua, Justice H. R. Khanna and Justice S. K. Kapur.-History:...
enjoined Indian whisky manufacturers from labelling their product with the words "Scot" or "Scotch".
Manufacturers of Indian whisky
- United Spirits, a division of United Breweries
- Khemani Group
- N.V Group
- Amrut Distilleries
- Shaw WallaceShaw WallaceShaw Wallace & Company Limited is a liquor manufacturer in India, headquartered in the Wallace House in Kolkata.It is involved in the production and sales of Indian Made Foreign Liquor...
- Mohan Meakins
- Jagatjit Industries
- Som Distillery
- Khoday
- Premier Distilleries
- Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd.
- John Distilleries
External links
- The Anomalies of Drinking in India, Sharad Bailur, Mumbai, India
- India Distillery, Premier Distilleries Pvt. Ltd. India