Indian Single Malt May Be Top-Selling By 2035

There is a growing confidence among Indian distillers that their single malt whisky brands will eventually make it to the global top countdown with an increasing number of both domestic and foreign consumers now choosing from new Indian single malt brands for their bold flavours and experimental approaches. In this context, Ashwin Balivada, Executive Director, Imperial Distillers, shares his opinion on how this evolution will shape up.

According to industry observers, there is a set of specific reasons explaining the shift of consumer preference for single malts. To put it in the words of Ashwin, “Consumers are increasingly becoming knowledgeable and adventurous, demonstrating a growing appreciation for single malts. This shift, coupled with the rising disposable income, allows companies to innovate and experiment with their single malt offerings.”

Distillers can now age their whiskies further and elevate the overall Indian single malt experience. While this trend is still in a nascent stage compared to Scotch whisky, there is a confidence among the domestic distillers that Indian Single Malts will be among the world’s topselling spirits by 2035, says Ashwin.

Imperial’s Portfolio 

Since its launch in 2019 with The Three Monkeys Indian Single Malt Whisky, Imperial Distillers has expanded its portfolio to include five distinct single malt products, including the award-winning Kadamba Indian Single Malt, Balivada Malt de Goa, John Rider Single Malt, Secret Island Single Malt, and a total of 12 variants. “We are currently present in three continents and are proud to report a 30 percent year-over-year growth rate,” Ashwin informs.

Imperial distillers has announced an expansive presence across the United States, Middle East, and key regions of India, including southern and western India. It now plans to introduce a new variant of Kadamba Indian Single Malt every quarter along with a new variant of Balivada Malt de Goa and The Three Monkeys portfolio every six months.

Requirement For Regulations

Ashwin believes that the growing proliferation of Indian single malt whiskies makes it necessary to introduce guidelines to standardise the category and ensure consistent quality. “Maintaining strict quality control and implementing clear guidelines are essential. By prioritising these measures early on and diligently monitoring all the parameters, we can not only increase production volumes but also establish greater consumer trust on a global scale,” he says.

Sourcing & Making

Imperial Distillers claim to produce one million litres of single malt whisky which implies a significant amount of sourcing matured malt. Explaining the input and output processes, Ashwin states one of the key aspects is the company’s maturation facility and its integral role in the production process. “While distilling fresh malt spirits at our Goa facility is crucial, it represents only 20 percent of the overall process. The remaining 80 percent involves critical factors such as barrel selection, ageing techniques and weather conditions,” he informs.

Through extensive research and expertise, Imperial distillers has carefully selected the finest barrels and developed optimal ageing techniques for its malt spirits. This dedication to quality has given it a distinct advantage in crafting an award-winning single malt portfolio. 

Further, to ensure sustainability and consistency in the brands, it has received regulatory approvals to establish a state-of-the-art distillery near Manohar International Airport, Goa. With construction commencing, the company aims to begin commercial production by the end of this year. This expansion will significantly increase the capacity and further solidify its commitment to excellence.