September E-Magazine

The ball has set rolling for the Spiritz Conclave & Achievers' Awards 2025 with the commencement of blind tasting sessions that have once again reinforced its position as India's most credible alcobev evaluation platform. Over four intensive days, a distinguished panel of jurors conducted comprehensive tastings across multiple categories — beers, wines, sakes, gin, vodka, tequila, soju, brandy, rum, whiskies and liqueurs. This year Spiritz also expanded into non-alcoholic beverages, signalling a prescient recognition of shifting consumer consciousness.

Yet as we celebrate excellence, storm clouds gather on the trade horizon. The India-UK Free Trade Agreement's decision to slash duties on Scotch whisky and gin by half threatens to fundamentally reshape the domestic spirits landscape.

This edition also takes you to the world of Dhavall Gandhi, a maverick who is unafraid to rewrite the rules of the whisky space. His journey from finance boardrooms to the quiet hum of stillhouses is one of vision, reinvention and a relentless pursuit of meaning in every drop.