Who is Surrinder Kumar and why is he important to Indian whisky?

Surrinder Kumar is the master distiller credited with creating India's first single malt, Amrut Classic, and is considered a pioneer of the Indian single malt industry.

How did Indian single malts gain international recognition?

Indian single malts gained recognition through rigorous quality, blind tastings where they were mistaken for Scotch, and critical acclaim from international whisky experts like Jim Murray.

What makes Indri-Trini the largest-selling single malt in India?

Indri-Trini achieved its success through a combination of exceptional quality, innovative triple-wood maturation, competitive pricing, and appealing packaging tailored for Indian consumers.

Home / Business and Economy / India's Whisky Revolution: From Stigma to Global Stardom

India's Whisky Revolution: From Stigma to Global Stardom

24 Dec

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Summary

Indian single malts now outsell imported varieties domestically.
Master distiller Surrinder Kumar pioneered India's single malt journey.
Indri-Trini became India's top-selling single malt brand by 2024.

India's Whisky Revolution: From Stigma to Global Stardom

The perception of Indian whisky has dramatically shifted, moving from a product often made with neutral spirits to a globally respected single malt. This evolution, spearheaded by pioneers like Surrinder Kumar at Amrut Distilleries, has seen Indian single malts surpass imported options in domestic sales by 2024.

Kumar's journey, starting from a challenging reception in Scotland to winning international accolades like Amrut Fusion's third-place ranking in 2010, has been pivotal. His later work with Indri-Trini, launched in 2022, further cemented India's prowess, making it the top-selling single malt in India by 2024.

This success reflects a broader trend of global recognition for Indian spirits. Companies are now developing local single malts, signaling confidence in India as a production origin. This rise is attributed to quality, competitive pricing, and a unique character shaped by India's tropical climate.