Indian whisky has long been some of the most popular whisky in the world thanks to domestic demand. More recently it has emerged as a significant player in the global spirits market, bringing the unique profiles of Indian Whisky to the rest of the world. The multi award winning Godawan Indian whisky recently launched in the USA and is at the forefront in showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship and unique flavors that Indian whisky can offer.
Godawan aims to deliver a whisky that not only stands up to the best in the world but also celebrates India’s distinct terroir, heritage, and botanicals. Its journey began in the arid desert of Rajasthan, where extreme temperatures combined with unique cask choices provide the perfect combination for creating exceptional whisky.
We spoke with Vikram Damodaran, Diageo India’s Chief Innovation Officer and let him guide us through Godawan single malt whisky, and the unique profile of its Indian single malt. Read his thoughts below.
Bringing Indian Whisky To A Global Market
With Godawan, we set out to craft a distinctive single malt that challenges perceptions, defies traditional whisky making norms, and positions India as a frontrunner in exceptional whisky craftsmanship. We believe that there is a strong market and appreciation for craft single malts that are coming out of India.
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Particularly in the last few years, consumers across the world have been eager to discover more, experience more, and spend more on new experiences. This is backed by the fact that producers from India are offering wonderful creations that stand on their own feet when compared to global offerings. Thus, the demand for Indian offerings of global stature is steadily growing.
Creating Indian Whisky In The Desert
Godawan whisky is uniquely matured in Alwar, Rajasthan, where temperatures exceed 100°F. These elevated temperatures lead to a much more intense reaction between the liquid and the wood of the cask. Subtraction, addition, and extraction of congeners is therefore catalysed to a higher degree, resulting in a whisky with a rich and complex character.
Rajasthan’s arid climate also contributes to a higher Angel’s Share (the amount of liquid that is lost to evaporation) – leaving behind a whisky with captivating taste profiles.
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Distinctly Indian Whisky
While temperature conditions in India vary all the way between the Himalayas and the Southern coastline, the average temperatures are certainly a good 10-degree Celsius higher than what you find in Scotland. What this means is that the amount of alcohol we lose during the maturation process is an order of magnitude, or two, higher compared to what is seen in Scotland. Additionally, the rate of maturation is also 3x more in India. This makes our whisky maturation process much more differentiated, pronounced, and accelerated, and therefore, the matured spirit a lot more precious.
Distilled in Alwar, a region devoid of conventional whisky making terroir, Godawan leverages Rajasthan’s elevated temperatures, heritage techniques, and unique botanicals to bring to life a range of Indian single malts that will cater to every palate – Light and Floral, Fruity and Spicy, Rich and Rounded, Full bodied and Smoky. We achieve this by crafting a mother liquid that is flexible enough to manifest itself across each flavour profile. Currently, we have launched two expressions – 01 Rich & Rounded and 02 Fruit & Spice.
The use of locally sourced barley, which is different from the barley varieties used in other regions, contributes to a unique flavor profile. Indian barley typically offers a slightly different grain character, which can influence the whisky’s texture and sweetness. Godawan is slow-trickle distilled from locally sourced six-row barley, which requires less water. Inspired by the techniques of Rajasthani craft liqueur makers, this method extracts optimal sensory performance from the liquid. The liquid is then aged in barrels treated with two unique botanicals, Rasna and Jatamansi, carefully selected from among 5000 options for their ability to complement the whisky’s flavour profile.
Choosing The Right Casks
The most critical rule is that to call a whisky “matured”, the spirit needs to spend a minimum of twelve months in a cask. The choice of wood is in the hands of the maker. And, the most critical rule here is to ensure that the type of wood being selected is the kind that is authorized for use in spirits maturation.
Our 01 Rich and Rounded expression is matured in premium PX (Pedro Ximenez) Sherry Casks. These rare casks were selected to add an enhanced sherry sweetness to the liquid, while providing it with a rich, deep brown hue. Following this, a portion of the liquid is transferred to American Standard Barrels (bourbon barrels that were used to mature Godawan) treated with two unique Indian botanicals – Rasna and Jatamansi. This unique production process, which incorporates the use of local botanicals, yields captivating aromas of sultanas and dried fruits, complemented by a syrupy smooth texture.
Our 02 Fruit and Spice expression is matured in Cherry Wood casks, which release abundant vanilla and clove aromas into the liquid. This results in flavours of vanilla, sweet ginger, and coconut at the forefront. A portion of the liquid is transferred to American Standard Barrels (bourbon barrels that were used to mature Godawan) treated with two unique Indian botanicals – Rasna and Jatamansi. The whisky is finished in cherrywood casks, a unique departure from the conventional choice of wood for whisky maturation. Cherrywood was selected to enhance the whisky’s sweet and sour taste profiles, impressive fruit aromas, and dark colour.
The Wider Effects Of Indian Whisky
The Good Craft Co. is Diageo India’s craft and innovation hub. It was set up in 2022 to accelerate transformational innovation and strengthen the brand’s craft and premium drinks portfolio. It also acts as an incubator to accelerate the alco-bev start-up ecosystem. Godawan is a brainchild of The Good Craft Co. and is purposefully rooted in three core pillars: Conservation, Sustainability, and Conscious Consumption.
Our ‘Crafted for Good’ ethos is present across everything that we do,and we are curating mindful luxury that pays tribute to our roots, heritage, and environment. Our whisky derives its name from the Great Indian Bustard, a majestic bird once widespread across India but now marked Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List. With approximately 150 left in India, these regal creatures have taken their last refuge in Rajasthan. With every bottle of Godawan sold, we contribute to conserving the habitat of these birds, allowing them to flourish.
At the Cannes Film Festival 2024, we strengthened our commitment to conservation and restoration by launching a long-term project to preserve classic Indian films via digitization and color restoration. We announced this initiative at the Majestic Hotel’s Croisette Room, where guests were treated to an immersive walkthrough of digitized versions of eight historic film posters, showcasing the rich stories of Indian cinema. Our film restoration project underscores our core belief in the power of storytelling and upholding cultural heritage, and we look forward to sharing the richness of India’s artistic legacy with audiences worldwide.
Available In The US
To launch Godawan in the United States, we hosted an exclusive whisky and food pairing experience at Dhamaka, a top Indian restaurant in New York City. Our guests had the opportunity to savour incredible depths of flavour with Rajasthani-inspired food and single malt cocktail pairings, curated by Chef Chintan Pandaya and our brand ambassador, Akhilesh Sheoran. Guests also immersed themselves in the traditional art of block printing to create customized Godawan tote bags. Plans are currently underway for the UK launch planned in the near future.
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