Radico Khaitan's Rampur Asava Wins World's Best Whisky At John Barleycorn Awards 2023

India’s prowess in the whisky domain has taken centre stage, and one homegrown hero, the Rampur Indian Single Malt, has emerged victorious on the global platform. Radico Khaitan’s Rampur Asava recently clinched the title of ‘Best World Whisky’ at the John Barleycorn Awards 2023, further solidifying the country’s position as a formidable player in the world of premium malts.

It beat various scotch, American, and Irish whiskies in a blind-tasting competition judged by Barleycorn Society members, including Clay Risen, Wayne Curtis, Zach Johnston, Susan Reigler, and John McCarthy.

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Made in the Rampur distillery established in 1943 in Uttar Pradesh, the Rampur Indian Single Malt Whisky Asava has a special process. It starts in American Bourbon barrels and finishes in Indian Cabernet Sauvignon casks, creating a unique and perfectly balanced taste. The whisky boasts a distinctive tropical fruity note characteristic of Rampur, complemented by hints of apricot, blackberry, and plum. A subtle undertone of tobacco and spices adds complexity, while the palate delights with a velvety texture, highlighted by the sweetness of manuka honey, spicy oak, vanilla, and dryness derived from Indian red wine.

Rampur Asava is currently available in Duty-Free outlets for Rs 9,390. This exquisite whisky leaves a delightful, lingering trail with a medium finish. The recognition it earned at the John Barleycorn Awards underscores the competitive and prestigious nature of this international spirits competition held annually in the US. The John Barleycorn Society evaluates excellence in the spirits industry, considering aspects from seed to glass. Taste, marketing strategies (both print and digital), package design, public relations, journalism, social media, event production, filmmaking, and bar design are among the diverse categories scrutinized by their selected panels.

Brands like Amrut, Paul John, Radico Khaitan’s Rampur, and Indri are leading the charge and are poised to dominate the $33 billion spirits market after witnessing a remarkable growth of approximately 23 per cent in 2023. According to early estimates by the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), Indian Single malts, including the celebrated Rampur Asava, accounted for nearly 53 per cent of total sales in 2023.

Apart from Rampur Asava, the distillery offers other exciting whiskies like Rampur Select, Rampur PX Sherry Cask, and Rampur Double Cask.