Luxury spirits news: Indri, Royal Ranthambore, Chambal Gin & more

This week’s launches highlight defining directions for premium spirits. Brands are moving beyond product led marketing towards larger narratives built around conservation, craftsmanship and cultural identity. Whether protecting India’s wildlife, bottling childhood memories of Mysore or collecting international awards, luxury spirits today are selling stories every bit as much as they are selling whisky and gin.

Indri sweeps top honours at the International Whisky Competition

Indian single malt’s global ascent reached another milestone this week as Indri delivered one of the strongest performances ever by an Indian whisky at the International Whisky Competition 2026. The Piccadily Agro Industries label secured the top three positions in both the Best Indian Whisky and Best Single Malt Indian Whisky categories, while becoming the only Indian whisky brand to score above 90 points at this year’s competition.

Leading the podium was the Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2025 with 93.53 points, followed by Indri Dru Cask Strength at 90.87 points and Indri Agneya with 89.70 points. More than another medal haul, the sweep reflects how Indian single malts have evolved from emerging contenders into serious global competitors. As Indian whisky continues to outperform expectations on the world’s biggest judging stages, international recognition is no longer validating the category. It is confirming India’s growing influence in the global luxury spirits conversation.

Royal Ranthambore Whisky marks World Tiger Day with conservation commitment

Coinciding with World Tiger Day, Royal Ranthambore Whisky reaffirmed its partnership with The Corbett Foundation, supporting initiatives including habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, veterinary care and community led conservation around India’s forests.

The announcement builds on the brand’s wildlife inspired identity, which earlier this year expanded through its Heritage Collection, a series of limited edition collectible packs celebrating iconic Indian tigers through regional art forms. The initiative arrives as India continues one of the world’s most successful conservation stories. According to the latest All India Tiger Estimation, the country’s tiger population has risen from 2,967 in 2018 to an estimated 3,682 in 2022, making India home to over 70 per cent of the world’s wild tigers.For luxury brands increasingly seeking deeper cultural relevance, purpose driven storytelling is becoming as important as premium positioning.

Dasara Gin returns home with an India launch

After building the brand in the United States, entrepreneur Varchasvi Shankar has launched Dasara Gin and Dasara Savari Gin in India, bringing a spirit inspired by Mysore’s famed Dasara festival back to the country that shaped its identity.

Distilled in Michigan by Shankar Distillers, the imported craft gin blends Indian botanicals including turmeric, cardamom and citrus with American distilling techniques. The premium expression also draws inspiration from the Jamboo Savari procession, with the elephant motif reflecting the founder’s long standing wildlife conservation efforts.Launching first across Karnataka and Goa, the brand enters India at a time when premium gin continues to attract consumers seeking provenance driven, craft led spirits with authentic narratives.

The GlenJourneys earns Gold in London

Premium Scotch label The GlenJourneys, co founded by Ajay Devgn and Cartel Bros., has secured a Gold Medal with the coveted Best of the Best distinction at the London Spirits Competition 2026.

The 21 year old single malt received 93 points in the international competition, adding to a growing list of global recognitions including the Superior Taste Award from the International Taste Institute in Brussels.The award also comes alongside strong commercial momentum. Since launch, the whisky has sold over 8,600 bottles, generated turnover exceeding ₹4.14 crore and expanded into multiple Indian markets, with export plans underway across the UAE, the US and Canada. As Indian entrepreneurs continue building globally competitive premium spirits brands, international accolades are increasingly becoming an important marker of credibility alongside commercial success.

Chambal Gin takes the scenic route with a new Traveller’s Edition

Indian craft gin continues to embrace provenance as a luxury proposition. Chambal Gin by Bapuna Alcobrew has unveiled The Banjara Trail: Traveller’s Edition, the second chapter in its limited edition series inspired by India’s landscapes and nomadic heritage. Distilled in Gwalior and bottled at 42.8% ABV, the rani pink expression blends orange, hibiscus and kokum, translating the biodiversity of the Western Ghats into a brighter, more floral profile.

The launch also marks Bapuna Alcobrew’s growing ambitions beyond contract manufacturing. Having produced spirits for industry giants including Pernod Ricard India, Radico Khaitan, Mohan Meakin and Bacardi, the company is now building its own premium portfolio through a collection of region inspired gins that celebrate Indian botanicals, craftsmanship and storytelling, underscoring the rising global appeal of homegrown luxury spirits.

NV Group enters India’s premium spirits race with whisky and flavoured vodka

India’s premiumisation story continues to widen beyond established alcobev players. NV Group has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Stainley Gold, a premium blended Indian whisky, and Blue Moon Minty Jamun, a flavoured vodka, signalling its ambitions in two of the country’s fastest growing spirits categories.

The launch arrives as premium whisky and flavour driven spirits continue to gain momentum across India, particularly in tier two cities where aspirational consumers are increasingly trading up. With plans to expand into ten states by FY2026 to 27, the company is betting on the growing appetite for accessible premium labels, while strengthening its House of NV portfolio that already includes Smoke Lab and Mohulo. Positioned between everyday drinking and luxury imports, the two new launches reflect the broader shift towards premium Indian brands offering contemporary flavours, design led branding and wider national distribution.

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