tldr: five whisky brands that deserve your attention in 2026: indri (india’s award-winning single malt), godawan (rajasthan’s rising star), monkey shoulder (the scotch everyone secretly loves), ardbeg (islay peat perfection), and nikka (japan’s best-kept secret). if you’re still only drinking blenders pride and johnnie walker, you’re missing out on the most exciting whisky era india has ever seen.
whisky in 2026 is different from whisky five years ago. the old hierarchy, where scotch was king and everything else was a footnote, has been dismantled. indian single malts are winning international awards. japanese whisky has gone from niche to mainstream. peated scotch that was once impossible to find in india is now sitting in duty free shops waiting for you.
this isn’t a “top 100 best whiskies” list. it’s five specific brands that i think every whisky drinker in india should experience at least once in 2026. they represent different styles, different countries, and different price points. some you can pick up at your local liquor store. others require a trip to duty free. all of them will change how you think about whisky.
the 5 brands at a glance
| # | brand | origin | type | price in india | why try it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | indri | india (haryana) | single malt | rs 4500-6000 | india’s best, award-winning |
| 2 | godawan | india (rajasthan) | single malt | rs 3500-5000 | the new indian contender |
| 3 | monkey shoulder | scotland | blended malt scotch | rs 3000-4000 | universally enjoyable |
| 4 | ardbeg | scotland (islay) | single malt | rs 3500-4500 (duty free) | peat done perfectly |
| 5 | nikka | japan | blended / single malt | rs 4000-6000 (duty free) | japanese whisky for real |
1. indri — india’s single malt that proved everything
if you haven’t tried indri yet, what are you waiting for? this haryana-based single malt has been collecting international awards like they’re going out of fashion. the trini expression, named after the three wood cask maturation (ex-bourbon, ex-wine, and ex-PX sherry), is the one to start with. 46% ABV, smooth, fruity, and complex enough to impress experienced scotch drinkers.
what makes indri significant isn’t just that it’s good. it’s that it proved indian single malt whisky can compete at the highest level globally. when indri won “best in show” at whiskies of the world awards, it wasn’t a pity prize. it was earned against scotch, bourbon, and japanese whisky from established distilleries.
what to expect: tropical fruit, vanilla, toffee, and a gentle spiciness. smooth enough for beginners, interesting enough for enthusiasts.
price: rs 4500-6000 depending on your state.
where to buy: widely available across major indian states.
2. godawan — rajasthan’s quiet revolution
godawan doesn’t get the headlines that indri does, but it should. this diageo india project produces single malt whisky in rajasthan, using six-row barley and maturing in india’s desert climate. the result is a whisky that’s distinctly indian in character: tropical, warm, and slightly different from anything scotland produces.
the name comes from the great indian bustard (godawan), an endangered bird native to rajasthan. the branding is thoughtful, the whisky is serious, and the price is accessible. godawan represents the second wave of indian single malt, and it’s building a loyal following among drinkers who want something authentically indian rather than an imitation of scotch.
what to expect: smooth, slightly tropical, with honey, citrus, and gentle oak. less complex than indri but very approachable and easy to enjoy.
price: rs 3500-5000 depending on your state.
where to buy: available in most major indian states. expanding distribution.
3. monkey shoulder — the scotch that doesn’t take itself seriously
monkey shoulder is a blended malt scotch whisky made from three speyside single malts (glenfiddich, balvenie, and kininvie). it’s smooth, malty, slightly sweet, and works in every context: neat, on the rocks, in cocktails, or just poured casually while watching a match with friends.
the whisky world has a snobbery problem. single malts are “serious,” blends are “lesser.” monkey shoulder sits in the middle as a blended malt (a blend of single malts, no grain whisky) and quietly delivers more enjoyment per rupee than many pretentious single malts costing twice as much. it’s the whisky that bartenders drink on their nights off. that tells you everything.
what to expect: malty sweetness, vanilla, honey, and a creamy texture. zero harshness. goes down easy, maybe too easy.
price: rs 3000-4000 in india.
where to buy: widely available in metro city liquor stores across india.
4. ardbeg — islay peat done to perfection
ardbeg 10 year old is what happens when a distillery that nearly died in the 1990s comes back with a point to prove. this islay single malt is heavily peated, bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered, and packed with smoke, lemon, espresso, and dark chocolate. it’s one of the best value single malts in the world, and at rs 3500-4500 from duty free, it’s practically a steal.
if you’ve never tried peated scotch, ardbeg might seem extreme. it is. but it’s also beautifully balanced. the smoke doesn’t bully you. it invites you in and then reveals layers of citrus and sweetness that you didn’t expect. there’s a reason ardbeg has a cult following that borders on religious devotion.
what to expect: intense peat smoke, lemon zest, vanilla, espresso, dark chocolate. bold, complex, rewarding.
price: rs 3500-4500 at duty free.
where to buy: international airport duty free. limited availability in premium liquor stores.
5. nikka — japan’s answer to the scotch question
nikka is the second-oldest japanese whisky producer (after suntory), founded in 1934 by masataka taketsuru, the man who learned whisky-making in scotland and brought it to japan. nikka from the barrel is the expression most commonly found at indian duty free, and it’s a masterclass in blending. bottled at 51.4% ABV, it’s rich, complex, and drinks like a whisky that should cost three times what it does.
japanese whisky has become trendy, and a lot of that trendiness is hollow (overpriced bottles with questionable sourcing). nikka is the real deal. from the barrel is a blend of malt and grain whiskies married in sherry casks, and it delivers caramel, oak, fruit, and spice with remarkable precision. if you want to understand why japanese whisky earned its reputation, nikka is where to start.
what to expect: caramel, vanilla, dried fruit, oak spice, and a warming finish. rich and full-bodied at 51.4% ABV. needs a drop of water to open up.
price: rs 4000-6000 at duty free.
where to buy: international airport duty free. rare in regular indian liquor stores.
how to approach these 5 brands
if you’re working through this list, here’s the order i’d suggest based on approachability:
- monkey shoulder — start here. it’s the friendliest whisky on the list and a great baseline for quality.
- indri — next, try india’s best. compare it to the scotch and see how it holds up.
- godawan — another indian perspective. notice the differences from indri.
- nikka — japanese whisky at its most accessible. from the barrel is a crowd-pleaser.
- ardbeg — save the peat for last. once you’ve calibrated your palate with the others, ardbeg will make the most sense.
you don’t need to rush. pick up one on your next store run, another at duty free on your next trip. the point isn’t to collect bottles. it’s to expand what whisky means to you beyond the familiar brands.
the bigger picture
2026 is an incredible time to be a whisky drinker in india. ten years ago, your options were essentially “indian grain whisky or imported scotch.” now you’ve got genuinely world-class indian single malts, accessible japanese whisky, and islay scotch at duty free prices that make sense. the gap between “domestic” and “imported” quality is closing fast, and in some cases, indian whiskies are outright winning.
try these five brands. form your own opinions. you might discover that the best whisky for your palate isn’t the one with the biggest marketing budget or the fanciest bottle. it might be a single malt from haryana, or a blended malt from speyside that doesn’t take itself too seriously, or a peated monster from a tiny scottish island.
that’s the beauty of whisky in 2026. the options have never been better.
drink responsibly. must be of legal drinking age in your state.
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frequently asked questions
what are the best whisky brands to try in 2026?
indri (indian single malt, rs 4500-6000), godawan (rajasthani single malt, rs 3500-5000), monkey shoulder (blended malt scotch, rs 3000-4000), ardbeg (peated islay scotch, rs 3500-4500 duty free), and nikka (japanese whisky, rs 4000-6000 duty free). a mix of indian and international that covers different styles and flavors.
is indri whisky good?
indri is excellent. it won multiple international awards and put indian single malt whisky in the global spotlight. the trini expression at 46% ABV is smooth, fruity, and complex. at rs 4500-6000, it's one of the best indian whiskies you can buy and competes with scotch at similar prices.
what is godawan whisky?
godawan is a single malt whisky from rajasthan, made by diageo india. named after the great indian bustard (godawan bird), it uses six-row barley and is matured in indian conditions. it's smooth, tropical, and distinctly indian. a newer brand that's quickly gaining recognition.
is monkey shoulder a good whisky?
monkey shoulder is one of the best blended malt scotch whiskies for the price. at rs 3000-4000 in india, it's smooth, malty, and versatile. works brilliantly neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. it's the scotch that scotch snobs don't want to admit they enjoy because it's 'too easy to drink.'
is nikka whisky available in india?
nikka is available at select indian duty free shops and some premium liquor stores. nikka from the barrel is the most commonly found expression at rs 4000-6000 from duty free. nikka days is occasionally available too. regular liquor store availability is limited.
should i try indian whisky or scotch first?
both. indian single malts like indri and godawan have matured to a level where they compete with scotch on quality. start with whatever interests you. indri and monkey shoulder are both approachable entry points to quality whisky. don't assume scotch is automatically better. those days are over.
what makes 2026 different for whisky in india?
2026 is a breakthrough year for indian whisky. brands like indri, godawan, and amrut are winning international awards and gaining global distribution. meanwhile, japanese whisky and peated scotch are more accessible in india than ever through duty free. indian drinkers have never had this many quality options.
which of these 5 brands is best for beginners?
monkey shoulder is the most beginner-friendly. it's smooth, unpretentious, and impossible to dislike. indri trini is also very approachable. avoid ardbeg as a first whisky since the heavy peat can be overwhelming if you're not prepared for it.
are these whiskies available across india?
indri and godawan are available in most major indian states. monkey shoulder is widely available in metro cities. ardbeg and nikka are primarily duty free or premium store purchases. availability varies by state due to excise regulations.
what's the best whisky on this list for gifting?
indri makes the best gift for someone in india since it's locally available, award-winning, and has great packaging. nikka from the barrel is a fantastic gift for a whisky enthusiast since japanese whisky still has that special factor. monkey shoulder is the safest gift since nobody dislikes it.