Best Whisky in India Below 1500 (updated-with price list)

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The best whisky of 2024 with a price under INR 1500 is easy to locate in any alcohol shop throughout India. Indians’ love for whisky is immortal. I am saying this word here based on facts and figures. Recently, a tax collection institute in India published data that, in 2023, Indians consumed almost 1.9 billion liters. This is more than 61% of the world’s consumption. India is the world’s biggest market for whisky.

Whisky is a heavenly drink made of malted, high-quality grains like barley, wheat, rye, and corn. Rye whisky is the most common. Yeast is typically used for fermentation. Locally produced Indian whiskies have gained fame in the last decade. These are blend whiskies, and the aging process is typically much shorter than for foreign whiskies. They use spices to create flavors.

Alcohol percentage

The alcohol percentage in best Indian whiskies are typically in the range of 40–50%, but some have more or less. These whiskies under INR 1500 have an alcohol content of 40–48%.

What exactly does “best whisky” mean?

“Best whisky means a whisky with a classic taste that must be enjoyable. But personal preference plays a large role in selecting any whisky as the best one. Here, we find the top ten whiskies in India for 2023 that fit the criteria we set for the best one. Our research team agrees to list them as the best whiskies in 2023 with a price below INR 1500 based on the following factors:

  • Flavor
  • Age
  • Smoothness
  • Complexity
  • Brand Reputation
  • Annual consumption

What is responsible for whisky’s aroma and taste

The aging process is responsible for whisky’s aroma and taste. These whiskies are aged in oak barrels, and the length of the aging process varies to achieve different features in a whisky.

Best whisky in India below 1500

  1. Blender’s Pride Whisky
  2. Royal Stag Whisky
  3. McDowell’s No. 1 Reserve Whisky
  4. 8 PM Whisky
  5. Imperial Blue Whisky
  6. Signature Whisky
  7. Bagpiper Whisky
  8. Officer’s Choice  Blue Whisky
  9. Hayward’s Fine Whisky
  10. Director’s Special Whisky

Blender’s Pride Whisky

The average price of Blender’s Pride Whisky in India for 750 ML is INR 1430. It varies from state to state because retailers maintain prices with respect to transportation and bar or shop expenditures.  Anyone can find it for this maximum price online or in any store.

Blender’s Pride Whisky has an alcohol percentage of 42.8% like other whiskies in India. It is a high-quality blend of whisky made from Indian malted grain alcohol and Scotch malt whisky. This is matured in an American oak cask, which is responsible for its awesome taste.

Seagram’s Canadian alcoholic company started producing it in July 1995; after that, it was taken over by the famous French company Pernod Richard.

The main reason why Blender’s Pride Whisky is the best in India is due to its smooth, sweet taste with notes of vanilla, caramel, honey, and smoke. The company is ambitious for the future by maintaining quality and quantity for the next ten years. They are also working on other innovative products to increase their market.

Royal Stag Whisky

The average price of Royal Stag Whisky in India for 750 ML is INR 1060. It varies from state to state because retailers maintain prices concerning local taxes, duties, transport, and bar or shop expenditures. Anyone can find it for this maximum price online or in any store.

Royal Stag Whisky has an alcohol content of 40% ABV and is 80 proof in India. It is a high-quality blend of whisky made from Indian malted grain alcohol and Scotch malt whisky. This is matured in American oak casks, which is responsible for its awesome taste, and royal stag whisky is considered a premium whisky in India.

Seagram’s Canadian alcoholic company started producing it in May 1995; after that, in 2001, it was taken over by the famous French company Pernod Richard. It was a battle between Diago and Pernod to acquire Royal Stag Whisky, which is why a deal was signed and the exact price of the Royal Stag Whisky brand has remained under wraps till now.

The main reason why Royal Stag Whisky is the best whisky in India is due to its smooth and sweet taste, which makes it easy to drink for casual drinkers. Royal Stag Whisky is ambitious for the future by maintaining quality and quantity for the next ten years. They are also working on other innovative products to increase their market.

McDowell’s No. 1 Reserve Whisky

The average price for McDowell’s No. 1 Reserve Whisky in India for 750 ML is INR 899. Its price varies from state to state because the retailer has to maintain a certain price with respect to transportation and bar or shop expenditures. Anyone can find it for this maximum price online or in any store.

McDowell’s No. 1 Reserve Whisky has a higher alcohol percentage of 42.8% than the others. It is a high-quality blend of whisky made from malted grain whisky and exported Scotch malt whisky. It is matured in an old oak cask, which is responsible for its awesome taste.

McDowell’s Whisky was introduced in India in 1963 by McDowell & Co. Ltd., a United Breweries Group company; it is presently controlled by United Spirits Ltd., another United Breweries Group affiliate.

The main reason why McDowell’s No. 1 Reserve Whisky is the best whisky in India is due to its strong and bold taste with a slightly smoky flavor. McDowell’s No. 1 Reserve Whisky is focusing on expanding its market share, developing new products, and maintaining the quality and consistency of its existing products.

8 PM Whisky

In India, the average price for 750 mL of 8 pm whiskey is INR 495 INR. It varies from state to state because retailers have to maintain prices with respect to transportation and bar, shop, etc. expenditures. Anyone can find it for this maximum price online or in any store.

8 pm whiskey has a 40% alcohol content and is 80 proof. It is a combination of whisky manufactured from molasses, a variety of foreign grains, and malted barley from India. This whisky is distilled in oak barrels that have matured for at least three years.

Radico Khaitan Distillery started producing it in 1980 and still owns and produces it. The main reason why 8 PM Whisky is the best whisky in India is due to its special smooth and crunchy taste with the aroma of brown sugar and oak. It can be enjoyed neat. The company is ambitious for the future by increasing its capacity for production, investigating novel approaches, and developing healthy goods. Moreover, they are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of sustainability and safety.

Imperial Blue Whisky

The average price for 750 ML of Imperial Blue Whisky is INR 660. It varies from state to state because it depends on retailers, transportation, and bar or shop expenditures. Anybody can find it for this maximum price online or in any store.

Imperial Blue Whisky has an alcohol percentage of 42.8% and is 85.6 proof. It is a blended whisky made from Indian malted rye, wheat, and scotch malt whisky. This whisky is distilled in oak barrels, which is responsible for its awesome taste.

Seagram’s India Ltd. introduced Imperial Blue Whisky in 1997. Pernod Ricard India presently owns it. The main reason why Imperial Blue Whisky is the best whisky in India is due to its smoothness and light sweetness, with mild notes of vanilla, caramel, honey, and smoke. The company is ambitious for the future by maintaining quality and quantity for the next ten years. They are also working on other innovative products to increase their market.

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I'm Arjun Kumar, a seasoned bartender. As a passionate liquor enthusiast, I've made a humble effort to provide the latest information on IMFL and FMLF.

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