16 Best Liquor Brands in India
Raise a glass and toast to liquor, the timeless elixir that has been enjoyed by people around the world for centuries. Liquor is a distilled alcoholic beverage that has a rich history, diverse production methods, and a wide variety of flavours that cater to every palate. Throughout history, liquor has been associated with celebrations, socialising, and even religious rituals in various cultures around the world.
Whether you are in search of a splendid liquor to indulge yourself or to gift your dear ones, we have carefully curated a list of the best liquor brands in India, encompassing both Indian and international brands. With a little bit of knowledge and some guidance, you can learn how to choose the best liquor that suits your taste preferences and occasion.
What is Liquor?
Liquor is an alcoholic beverage that is distilled from fermented grain, fruit, or other ingredients. It is typically characterised by its high alcohol content and is consumed in various forms, such as cocktails, shots, or as a base for mixed drinks. Another distinguishing feature of liquor is that it is not sweet. The alcohol content in liquor can range from as low as 20% ABV (Alcohol By Volume) to as high as 70% ABV (Alcohol By Volume) or more, depending on the type of spirit. Drinks like gin, vodka, rum and tequila are all forms of liquor, and liquor can also be called spirits.
How to drink liquor?
Liquor comes in various types, each with its own unique production methods, flavours, and characteristics. Whether enjoyed on the rocks, neat, or mixed in cocktails, liquor is appreciated by many for its diverse flavours. However, liquor can have adverse effects on health if consumed in excess. Therefore, remember to always drink responsibly and in moderation. Cheers!
What if I don’t drink liquor?
If you don’t drink liquor, we have something exciting for you. There are numerous fantastic brands that offer 100% non-alcoholic beverages. The robust flavours allow you to fully indulge in the company of your friends without feeling excluded.
How Do We Choose the Best Liquor Brands for You?
Choosing the best liquor can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the world of spirits. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But before you go through our suggestions for the best liquor brands available in India, we would love it if you first go through the factors that we took into consideration while deciding the best products for you.
Different Types of Liquor
Before you start choosing a liquor, it’s important to understand the different types available. There are many types of liquor, including whisky, rum, gin, tequila, vodka, brandy, and more. Each type of liquor has its own unique characteristics and flavour profile. Therefore, you can try out a variety of liquor and find one that suits your taste preferences.
Consider the Occasion
Next, you should consider the occasion or event that you are buying liquor for. Different occasions will require different types of liquor. For example, if you’re buying liquor for a party, you will want to choose something that’s easy to mix, like vodka or rum. If you’re buying liquor for a special occasion, like a wedding or anniversary, you will want to choose something more upscale and sophisticated, like a high-end whiskey or cognac.
Determine Your Taste Preferences
Your personal taste preferences are also an important factor to consider when choosing liquor. Some people prefer sweeter, fruitier drinks, while others prefer more complex, smoky flavours. If you’re unsure about your taste preferences, consider trying different types of liquor and pay attention to what you enjoy most.
List of the Top 16 Liquor Brands in India
Amrut
One of the biggest liquor brands in India, Amrut is mostly recognised for its single malt whiskies. The name Amrut originates from the Sanskrit term ‘amrit’, which means “elixir of life.” This brand produced the country’s first single-malt whisky.
Country of Origin: India
Available in: India, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, UK, US
Prominent Features of Amrut:
- This brand offers 11 different varieties of single-malt whisky
- Made from barley harvested from the foothills of the Himalayas and matured in hardwood oak barrels
- Renowned whisky connoisseur James Murray awarded the brand 82 out of 100 in 2005 and 2010
Pros:
- Wide varieties of whisky
- Has an international presence
- Beautifully designed bottle
Why We Picked Amrut?
Amrut is known for its distinctive sugarcane and banana nose notes. The brand has a widespread presence in international markets. It is popularly sold in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, the UK, and many other places.
Burlingtons
Burlingtons is made from grapes from the Baramati region of Maharashtra. It has a fruity and oak texture, with top notes of caramel and honey. Burlingtons is produced by the Doctor’s Brandy company, which was founded in 1934 by Mohan Brothers.
Country of Origin: India
Prominent Features of Burlingtons:
- Uses only locally produced grapes from the Maharashtra area of Baramati
- The flavours of blue and purple grapes, together with honey and caramel, are unfurled on the tongue
- Takes a long time to mature and has a deeper colour and more robust flavour
Pros:
- Fruity scent and flavour
- Rich colour
- Wide variety available
Why We Picked Burlingtons?
Burlingtons has a wonderful vanilla oak and smokey lint scent that makes it incredibly vivid and fragrant. Nine distinct variations of brandy were recently launched by this brand. Additionally, the brand also offers whisky, gin, and vodka.
Cazulo
If you’re seeking a Feni brand to make beautiful cocktails with, we recommend Cazulo. Depending on the origin, Cazulo Feni is matured for a year in glass carboys (large globular glass bottles) before being bottled. This brand is committed to preserving the authenticity of this classic beverage.
Country of Origin: India
Available in: Goa
Prominent Features of Cazulo:
- In order to capture the purest rendition of this long-forgotten traditional Goan drink, the brand sources its Feni liquors directly from distillers
- Their Feni is unique since they are bottled according to origin after maturing for a year in glass carboys
- Cazulo also offers wine tours, and the itinerary includes a trip to a cashew orchard, a tour of a traditional distillery, sampling, and then an outdoor supper under the sun or stars
Pros:
- Authentically sourced
- Superior taste and quality
- Matured for a year
Why We Picked Cazulo?
Wilson and Melanie Vaz started this family-owned Feni bottling business in 1982 in a modest outhouse in South Goa. The current generation at Cazulo works towards maintaining the high standards of the family-owned business by procuring Feni with superior taste, quality, and a focus on time-honoured workmanship.
Cabo
Cabo is a distinctive coconut white rum and is among the most well-known alcoholic beverage brands in Goa. The company creates the beverage using white rum and coconut essence. Cabo comes in a plain, all-white bottle and is perfect for drinking neat or in a cocktail.
Country of Origin: India
Available in: Goa
Prominent Features of Cabo:
- This drink is simply a mixture of white rum and coconut extract
- Wonderfully captures the tropical sensation of Goa and will be a great addition to every party.
- Due to the flavour of coconut, Cabo is ideal for cocktails, or you can have it on the rocks as well
Pros:
- Coconut flavour
- Versatile drink
- Ideal for parties
Why We Picked Cabo?
The Adinco Distillery, which has been making spirits since the 1970s, produces the Cabo drink. While drinking, you can mix the rum with crushed ice and cola, and squeeze some lime over it. Additionally, this drink pairs well with other spirits and is quite adaptable.
Charosa
Charosa produces some of the highest-quality red and white wines. This well-known Indian wine brand from Nashik, Charosa, is situated in the Dindori-Niphad-Satara area. The vineyard spans around 230 acres and provides the ideal temperature and scenery for producing the most fruity flavours of wine.
Country of Origin: India
Available in: Delhi, Chandigarh, West Bengal, Punjab, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
Prominent Features of Charosa:
- This wine is produced at the Charosa Winery in the small town of Charosa in Nashik
- The dry red wine has notes of coconut, chocolate, and vanilla in it
- Also features fruit flavours, including raspberry, strawberry, and plum
Pros:
- Fruity flavours
- Authentically made
- Experience tours at affordable prices
Why We Picked Charosa?
At the vineyard in Chasora, you can experience tours and sampling sessions at a reasonable cost. Charosa wine goes well with grilled veggies and red meat. You can even have a glass of wine with some excellent galouti kebabs.
Solan
Solan is produced by the same distillers who created the well-known Old Monk that we so fervently adore. The drink is brewed in the foothills of the Himalayas. This brand uses the old Scottish techniques of malting, kneading, and distillation in vintage copper pot stills. The brew is then kept in seasoned wood barrels for ageing.
Country of Origin: India
Prominent Features of Solan:
- The name of the brand is derived from the Solan village, which is situated close to Kasauli
- Produced by Mohan Meakin Ltd in the Kasauli Distillery, which is located in the Himalayan Highlands
- This drink is combined with mature malt spirits using traditional Scottish techniques
Pros:
- Made using traditional Scottish techniques
- Uses 100% malted barley
- Has an orange aftertaste
Recommended For You: In case you like your drink mixed with a small volume of soft drinks, we would like you to recommend you our guide where we have some of the soft drink brands available in India. Do have a look.
Woodburns
Woodburns is an award-winning whisky brand that has established itself as one of the most popular liquor brands in India. It is produced in the Fullarton distillery in Candepar, Goa, with no traces of foreign malt. Woodburns has a distinctive charcoal and smoky flavour that guarantees a full-bodied malt experience.
Country of Origin: India
Available in: Goa, Mumbai, and Pune
Prominent Features of Woodburns:
- There are no traces of scotch or foreign malts in this drink since it is created entirely from Indian ingredients
- Each drink has a rich, sweet flavour that lingers on the tongue to give you the ideal taste
- Produced in Fullarton Distilleries, in a beautiful 11-acre, cutting-edge facility
Pros:
- Family owned business
- 100% Indian ingredients
- Award-winning brand
Greater Than
Greater Than is a popular liquor brand known for making India’s first and only handmade gin. This gin brand is easily accessible in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, with plans to expand one state at a time across all of India. To create a delicious cocktail at home, you can mix this with a cold coffee brew.
Country of Origin: India
Available in: Goa
Prominent Features of Greater Than:
- The brand produces its drinks in a copper pot still
- Nine different botanicals, including coriander seeds, angelica, orange peels, and lemongrass, were used to create this London-style dry gin
- This gin features the scent of crisp juniper and zesty lemon peel on the nose, and a zing of ginger on the finish
Pros:
- Nine distinct botanicals used
- Versatile drink
- Handmade
Smoke
Smoke is a relatively new brand, but it has become quite popular in recent years. Smoke Vodka by Smoke Labs is aimed at the nation’s millennial and Generation Z demographic. Additionally, this fairly smooth vodka will go well with any drink and won’t make your throat feel like it’s burning in the flames of hell.
Country of Origin: India
Available in: Delhi, Mumbai, Gurgaon, and Goa
Prominent Features of Smoke:
- Made from Basmati Rice, this brand refines its drink five times with cutting-edge charcoal filtration method
- This drink has notes of smoked anise, liquorice, and citrus fruit flavours
- The design of the bottles is quite refreshing and innovative
Pros:
- Smooth taste
- Versatile drink
- Carbon negative brand
Big Banyan
Big Banyan is a popular liquor brand that offers premium wines. The brand collects grapes from vineyards in Bengaluru and handpicks a few varieties from prime vineyards in India to make these beautiful wines. Under the strict supervision of Italian winemaker Lucio Matricardi, they are converted into wine in cutting-edge wineries in Goa and Bengaluru.
Country of Origin: India
Available in: Goa, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry
Prominent Features of Big Banyan:
- The brand has won a lot of significant awards and acclaim throughout the years
- The finest grapes from each harvest are chosen to make the best-quality wines
- This brand offers a rosé wine, a dessert wine, three red wines, three white wines, and a Limited Spring Reserve Shiraz
Pros:
- Authentically sourced
- Wide variety
- Produced using cutting-edge technology
Paul John
Paul John did not really begin as an Indian brand as it was launched in London. After being distilled for the first time in London, it quickly spread to other areas of the globe. Now, the distillery is located in Goa and the headquarters are in Bangalore. The ingredients – barley, water, and charred oak barrels are what give it the name “The Great Indian Single Malt.”
Country of Origin: India
Available in: Mumbai, Bangalore Pune, and Delhi
Prominent Features of Paul John:
- It is a blend of premium Indian and Scottish malts made with components from Scottish peat
- The brand’s most affordable single malt whisky is believed to be as good as Scotland’s high-end single malts
- Indian ingredients from Goa Bay and indigenous barley from the Himalayas are used to make the whisky
Pros:
- Affordable
- Wide variety
- Has won numerous awards
Royal Stag
Royal Stag is considered to be one of the most popular liquor brands in India which was introduced in 1995. It was the first whisky in India to provide an international-grade blend. It did not use any artificial flavourings and is a blend of Indian grain spirits along with imported Scotch malts.
Country of Origin: India
Prominent Features of Royal Stag:
- The company’s name is derived from a kind of deer that is known for its impressive antlers, which are also shown in the brand’s logo
- After joining Pernod Ricard in 2001, Royal Stag has grown to be an iconic brand with a sizable and devoted fan base
- The hand-selected oak barrels used to age this drink provide an unmatched harmony of flavours
Pros:
- Free from artificial flavours
- International-grade blend
- Widely available
List of the Top International Liquor Brands in India
Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker is one of the oldest and most popular liquor brands. A grocery store owner by the name of John Walker created the brand about 200 years ago. The scotch whisky is now produced by Diageo in Scotland.
Country of Origin: Scotland
Prominent Features of Johnnie Walker:
- This brand produces a wide variety of blended scotch whisky with different flavour characteristics
- Additionally, it is among the whisky brands with the highest global sales
- The brand has won a number of awards, making it an ideal choice
Pros:
- Award-winning brand
- Considered to be the finest whisky Scotch
- Affordable
Bacardi
Bacardi Limited is one of the biggest privately held, family-owned spirits enterprises in the world. It was established in Cuba in 1862 and is now one of the most well-known rum brands in the world.
Country of Origin: Cuba
Prominent Features of Bacardi:
- The Bacardi brand of white rum was originally very popular, but it today boasts a portfolio of more than 200 labels
- This brand is quite popular in India, making it a favourite among partygoers
- Bacardi drinks are available in a variety of price points and are easily available
Pros:
- Ideal for parties and hangouts
- Wide variety
- Cutting-edge production facility
Smirnoff
Smirnoff is the biggest-selling vodka brand in the world. The British firm Diageo owns and produces the Smirnoff vodka brand. Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov established a vodka distillery in Moscow, which is where the Smirnoff brand had its start. This vodka brand is now available in 130 nations.
Country of Origin: Russia
Prominent Features of Smirnoff:
- Unflavoured Smirnoff vodka is completely gluten-free since it is manufactured from corn
- Smirnoff offers a variety of drinks, with around 33 different flavours
- Smirnoff vodka is produced utilising the same conventional filtering process that was used for generations and is unaged by nature
Pros:
- Widely available
- Gluten-free (unflavoured drinks)
- Wide variety of flavours
Jack Daniel’s
One of the most popular liquor brands, which has been there for a long time, is Jack Daniel’s. The brand is known for its Tennessee whisky, which is produced at the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
Country of Origin: USA
Prominent Features of Jack Daniel’s:
- The brand now offers a wide range of flavours and types, making it an ideal choice for partygoers
- In 1944, Jack Daniel’s obtained official recognition that Tennessee Whiskey is a separate classification
- The drink is made following the recipe of Jasper Danier in a cutting-edge distillery
Pros:
- Affordable
- Wide variety of flavours
- Features a tourist centre which narrates the history of Jack Daniel’s and the distillery
Final Word
Liquor is widely cherished as one of the most beloved beverages globally. With a diverse range of brands, we have meticulously compiled a selection of the best liquor brands available in India. Although Amrut, Royal Stag, and Cabo are our ultimate party favourites, you can peruse the list to find your perfect match based on your budget, region, and preferred taste profile.
FAQs
Which brand is best in alcohol?
According to us, Johnnie Walker, Bacardi, Absolut, and Smirnoff are the top liquor brands in India. We recommend that you go through our entire list and choose a brand that is best suited to your tastes and preferences.
Which is the best alcohol in India?
Kingfisher, Old Monk, Amrut, and Paul John are some of the best liquor companies in India. India has a rich history of traditional alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey, vodka, beer, and local spirits like feni, among others. You can go through our list and find a variety of popular brands that you will be sure to love.
Which is the No 1 alcohol in the world?
Spirytus Stawski is considered to be the number one alcohol in the world. These spirits have a moderate flavour and the greatest potency. It is created using a grain base and premium ethyl alcohol.
Which is healthy alcohol?
In comparison to beer and sugary beverages, red wine, whisky, tequila, and hard kombucha are considered to be healthy. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) advises limiting alcohol consumption to 2 drinks per day.
What is the most sold liquor?
Vodka is considered to be the most sold liquor in India. Some of the most commonly consumed and popular liquor types also include whiskey, rum, gin, and tequila, among others.
Why Trust CashKaro Reviews?
At CashKaro, our team of skilled and experienced researchers is dedicated to providing you with the best market advice available online. We carefully evaluate a wide range of products and compare them based on various criteria to curate a list of products that you can rely on. We hope that our recommendations for the best liquor brands in India have been useful to you and will assist you in making an informed decision.
