Maya Pistola Agavepura wins big at Asian Spirits Masters

Maya Pistola Agavepura, popularly known as Pistola, Asia’s first premium aged 100 percent agave spirit, has secured two prestigious accolades at the Asian Spirits Masters 2025. The brand’s Extra Añejo expression was awarded a gold medal, while its Añejo claimed silver, adding to Pistola’s expanding repertoire of international recognition.

Aged in Virgin American Oak and ex-Bourbon casks, these high-end expressions are designed for refined sipping and have quickly emerged as standouts in Pistola’s growing portfolio. With these recent wins, Pistola’s total tally of global and national awards now exceeds 40, cementing its status as a category-defining Indian spirit celebrated for its authenticity, quality, and innovation.

Organised by The Spirits Business, the Asian Spirits Masters is one of the region’s most prestigious spirits competitions. Judged through rigorous blind tastings by an international panel of experts, the competition confers Silver, Gold, and Master medals across various categories. This year marked a significant milestone with the introduction of the 'Speciality Spirits' category, recognising a broader range of distinctive craft spirits. Pistola’s award-winning expressions were recognised in this newly added category, reflecting the global rise in appreciation for high-quality craft spirits.

Crafted from wild agave americana grown in the arid terrain of Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, Pistola is harvested and transported to Goa, using a range of oak casks and no artificial additives. Since its launch in 2022, Pistola has introduced a first-of-its-kind aged agave category in India and has since expanded to eight domestic and four international markets. Its range includes five distinct expressions—Joven, Reposado, Rosa, Añejo, and Extra Añejo—each designed to showcase the richness and versatility of Indian agave.

Rakshay Dhariwal, Founder and Director of Maya Pistola Agavepura, remarked: “From day one, our focus has been on building not just a product but an entirely new category—one that challenges conventional geographies of agave and redefines what Indian craft spirits can offer. With growing global recognition and a widening audience of enthusiasts, we’re more motivated than ever to take Indian craft to new heights.”

Kimberly Pereira, Chief Operating Officer, added, “Each of our expressions is crafted with a specific vision to reflect the diverse global palates while staying rooted in the principles of fine craftsmanship. Awards like these validate the quality of what we’re creating, but more importantly, they signal a growing curiosity and openness toward Indian spirits on the world stage.”