As the monsoon gradually gives way to the festive season, evenings become the perfect time to slow down with a well-made whisky. From rich and layered single malts to rum expressions with a distinct Indian character, the season offers plenty to explore. Here are five whiskies worth discovering this festive season.
1. Camikara 3 YO
Camikara 3-Year-Old Pure Cane Juice Aged Rum marks a defining moment in India’s rum journey as the country’s first-ever pure cane juice aged rum, crafted in a rare Agricole-style tradition. Distilled entirely from fresh sugarcane juice—rather than molasses—and aged for three years in American oak barrels, it showcases a vibrant, terroir-driven profile layered with fresh cane, green vegetal notes, melon, honey and vanilla, flowing into a smooth, gently smoky palate and a rounded, lingering finish.
Rooted in India’s centuries-old sugarcane heritage and named after the Sanskrit word for liquid gold, Camikara stands apart through its uncompromising purity—free from artificial colour, flavour or additives—and its role in redefining Indian rum globally. The portfolio spans three expressions: Camikara 3-Year-Old Pure Cane Juice Aged Rum and Camikara 12-Year-Old Pure Cane Juice Rum for the Indian market, and Camikara 8-Year-Old Pure Cane Juice Rum for overseas audiences. Its growing international acclaim includes a Gold Medal at the Rum & Cachaça Masters Awards 2025, Rum Brand of the Year at The Spirits Business Awards 2025, and a historic IWSC Gold Medal (2023) for the 12-Year-Old—cementing Camikara’s position as India’s most globally credible cane juice rum.
2. Indri Trini
As the flagship expression of Indri, it has emerged as a catalyst in the Indian single malt revolution. Launched in 2022, it is India’s first and most awarded triple cask single malt whisky, marking a defining moment in the country’s premium single malt whisky landscape. Since inception, Indri has won over 65 global awards and has become the fastest-growing Indian single malt in the world, reinforcing Trini’s leadership on the global stage.
Bottled at 42.8% ABV, Indri-Trini derives its name from two powerful ideas. Indri—or Indriya in Sanskrit—refers to the five senses: smell, taste, touch, sight and sound, while Trini signifies the harmonious interplay of three distinct barrels. Crafted using Indian non-GMO six-row barley, the whisky is matured in ex-bourbon barrels, ex-French wine casks and PX sherry casks, each contributing layers of complexity and depth. The result is a smooth, well-rounded single malt with a deep amber hue and a rich aromatic profile, revealing notes of caramelised pineapple, vanilla, black tea, raisins and honey and finishing long with sweet, fruity nuances that invite another sip.
Elegant yet expressive, Indri-Trini captures the confidence of modern Indian single malt whisky-making—rooted in tradition, elevated by innovation and crafted to engage all five senses.
Availability & price- Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra.
3. Xclamat!on WHISKY
Seagram’s XCLAMAT!ON Whisky, from the house of Pernod Ricard India, introduces a bold new fusion of whisky-making traditions with its India x Scotland expression, a spirit crafted to bridge two worlds.
This contemporary blend brings together the fusion of Indian and Scottish grains, perfected through a refined multi-column and copper pot still technique, resulting in smoothness and depth. The whisky is matured in a balanced mix of American and European Oak, adding layered complexity that elevates both aroma and palate.
Its flavor map brings together woody notes, subtle peat, touches of sweet sherry, creamy smoothness and a light bitterness, highlighting the craft behind its blend of Scottish malts from Speyside and select Indian grain spirit.
4. Ballantine’s Single Distillery
The latest launch from the House of Pernod Ricard India, Ballantine’s Single Distillery is a refined single-grain whisky crafted exclusively from the finest grain at the iconic Strathclyde Distillery in Scotland. Meticulously finished in a double-cask process, first in rum barrels to impart tropical warmth, followed by extra-charred barrels for depth and sweetness. This expression offers a well-rounded profile with delicate notes of white peach, charred pineapple, red apples, lemon zest, and toasted almonds. Encased in an amber-hued bottle with a striking metallic copper crest, Ballantine’s Single Distillery is where refined craftsmanship meets elegance.
Retail Prices – Maharashtra
5. Isthmus 44
Chapter I comes from The GlenAllachie Distillery in Speyside. Distilled on 24 October 2016, this nine-year-old single malt was matured in an ex-Oloroso sherry hogshead and bottled on 15 January 2026 at 46.2% ABV. The limited release comprises just 343 bottles, with an MRP of ₹12,000. Launched in India in July 2026, Isthmus 44 is India’s first independent bottler of single cask Scotch whisky, sourcing exceptional casks from renowned Scotch distilleries and bottling them without blending to preserve their distinct character, provenance and maturation. With each cask yielding a limited number of bottles, every release is unique and cannot be replicated once sold out, making Isthmus 44’s expressions particularly relevant to whisky enthusiasts and collectors seeking rare and individual Scotch whiskies.