Innovation was at a peak in 2022, especially when it comes to the liquor industry in India. While international brands like Glenmorangie and Remy Cointreau finally released their latest selections in India, homegrown brands like Stranger & Sons and Third Eye Distillery along with many others showcased brilliance in creation with unique flavours and innovative ingredients. All in all, it was a win for the Indian liquor industry. And with 2022 on a close, here’s a wrap on some of the hottest new liquor launches this year.
Consilium Black Blended Rye Malt and Blended Cigar Malt Whisky
Photo Courtesy: Consilium Blackshort
Established in 2019, The Consilium Whisky Co. was founder Rohit Ramsinghani’s attempt to introduce India to a series of premium but affordable curated malt expressions. Giving India its first blended rye malt and peat whiskies, in the BII (Bottled-In-India) category, the brand unveiled two new expressions — Consilium Black Blended Rye Malt Whisky and Consilium Black Blended Cigar Malt Whisky. Both blends are artistically crafted to showcase distinctive aromas and taste profiles, creating a unique sensory experience for the consumers. The Consilium Rye Malt is a blend of Scotch and German Rye while the Cigar Malt is a traditional peated malt. The packaging was designed with a clean, simple aesthetic that although minimal, still creates a visually bold impact.
Grover Zampa Signet
Photo Courtesy: Grover Zampa
Grover Zampa is among the top producers of wine in India with an impressive variety. Adding to their pre-existing collections, Grover launched a signature red wine collection titled SIGNET which is India’s first wine range to be aged in foudres, amphoras and concrete tanks. Signet reveals the most delicate aromas of single-vineyard hand-picked Shiraz, estate bottled and their variation with different ageing techniques. All of the wines remain unfiltered to retain their natural mouthfeel and represent the five maturation processes used to create the range which is the expression of Grover Zampa’s finest craftsmanship.
Glenfiddich Gran Reserva
Photo Courtesy: Glenfiddich
One of the world’s most awarded single malt labels, Glenffidich finally unveiled its celebrated new 21-year-old expression in India. The remarkable liquid is matured in a combination of American and European oak casks for 21 years and finished for four months in bourbon barrels seasoned with Glenfiddich’s own Caribbean rum, imbuing the whisky with extra exotic notes. This unique expression is the only Glenfiddich single malt to undergo a unique finishing in Gran Reserva casks that once contained premium Caribbean rum, specially imported to The Glenfiddich Distillery. The rum is blended with the Speyside distiller’s secret recipe from several tropical Caribbean islands to awaken distinctive notes of ginger, lime and banana within the rich smoothness of the patiently mellowed 21-Year-Old.
A masterful creation, Short Story was brought out by Third Eye Distillery with Countertop India’s co-founder Pankaj Balachandran as the brand director. Short Story likes to keep it simple and so cutting through the chatter of ingredient talk, Short Story lets its spirits do the talk. The brand introduces a range of simple yet innovative creations including a triple distilled grain vodka that has been filtered through charcoal to make the spirit smoother and well-rounded; a classic juniper and citrus forward pot-distilled London Dry gin and a matured white rum blended with Indian molasses rum, as well as those from Jamaica, Trinidad and the Dominican Republic.
SOCI Gin
Photo Courtesy: SOCI Gin
The world of gin gets a hot new creation in the form of SOCI Gin from the House of Good Barrel Distillery Pvt Ltd. Inspired by the spirit of society, SOCI draws on inspiration from the one that seeks and thrives on secrets and curiosity. It is versatile and encourages creativity and experimentation allowing consumers to let out their edgy personality. One of the reasons this liquor stands out is the processing of botanicals. The botanicals infused in the gin are cold pressed to keep the flavours at their most optimum levels giving it a refreshing profile that makes it the perfect spirit for sipping neat or on the rocks and is a great winner in cocktails.
Stranger & Sons x Four Pillars Gin
Photo Courtesy: Stranger & Sons
Earlier this year, Stranger & Sons collaborated with Four Pillars Gin to create two quality and flavourful gins inspired by the tides and coast that connect them, capturing the spirit of both India and Australia. The resulting curations were two flavorful gins, Spice Trade Gin and Trading Tides. With turmeric, finger lime, teppal, long peppers, red chilli and black cardamom, Four Pillars created Spice Trade Gin, which is their take on modern India. Spice Trade Gin is a kaleidoscope of flavours, with fragrant aromas and big, bold spices on the palate. Trading Tides on the other hand, used Australian lemon myrtle, anise myrtle and river mint along with the Indian flavours of mangosteen, kokum and tamarind—creating a coastal dry gin which served as an ode to this rather strange trade. Trading Tides Gin is a bright bouquet of citrus notes that’s vibrant with a refreshing hint of mint and a soft, spiced finish.
Tenjaku Japanese Whiskey
Photo Courtesy: Tenjaku
A new, reasonably priced Japanese whisky, Tenjaku is a young and fairly light whisky that is completely distilled in Japan. It is made with corn and barley and aged in American white oak bourbon barrels. The resulting aromas are a distinct cereal note with a fruitier front. Highlighting notes include suggestions of pear, banana, and creme brulee, with a hint of elderflower. The whisky has two variants, Pure Single Malt and Blended. While the Pure Malt is rich and polished with a slightly bitter and soft taste, the blended Tenjaku is crisp and mild with a light, mellow flavour note.
Woodburns A Tale of Oak
Photo Courtesy: Woodburns
Fullarton Distilleries, in collaboration with All Things Nice, launched a limited-edition, single malt whisky called Woodburns: A Tale of Oak. A 250-bottle exclusive, this limited edition single malt is inspired by the wordsmiths that told their own tales of oak. With a history that begins with the Greeks, the oak tree has been a symbol of might, endurance, and wisdom. The single malt comes with no additives, is non-chill filtered and comes with an ex-bourbon cask finish. On the nose, it has a fruity aroma with candied red fruits reminiscent of sherry, while it opens with sweet fruit and oaky vanilla. It has a well-rounded mouthfeel with robust notes of piquant sweet spice and pleasant oiliness with a lingering finish, a perceived sweetness and notes of liquorice & mace flower.
X by Glenmorangie
Photo Courtesy: Glenmorangie
A celebrated single malt, Glenmorangie’s new X by Glenmorangie single malt Scotch whisky is one made especially for mixing. Keeping up with the times and the latest trends in mixology, the new single malt is a controversial twist from how the liquor is traditionally consumed. Developed in consultation with top global bartenders, X by Glenmorangie’s sweeter, the richer taste is perfect for tall, simple serves, which promise to refresh the way single malt whisky is enjoyed.  The whiskey’s rich flavour comes from the swirling aromas of pear and vanilla, setting the stage for rich orange sherbet and fudge. This versatile single malt offers a rich taste that not only complements but also cuts through all kinds of mixers, for delicious drinks. The X by Glenmorangie is said to be a recreation of the original 15-year single malt, but with a more earthy and spicy flavour palate.
