Page 36 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 3 | February - March 2024
P. 36
n most people’s minds, the thought of
India is immediately associated with
colours, spices, delicious cuisine, stunning
architecture, and, yes, for many Thai-
Indians, a seemingly-endless series of
weddings and family reunions. However,
India’s alcohol scene is often ignored, perhaps
because of the sky-high alcohol tax in some states
(my recent trip to Mumbai had me reeling at the
20 percent tax on a single cocktail), or the fact
that some states have completely abolished liquor
sales, ‘moonshine’ versions notwithstanding.
Nevertheless, India’s different climates, fertile
lands, and innovative people lend itself to a
growing local alcohol scene, with Indian spirits
winning international accolades, and an Indian
whisky, Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2023,
winning the ‘Best in Show, Double Gold’ award
at the 2023 Whiskies of the World Awards.
We’ve put together a list of where in India to find
some of these coveted spirits, as well as lesser-
known local liquors that are still worth a shot.
It’s worth noting that many of these labels from
Take a shot at these drinks when travelling through India! harder-to-reach distilleries will be available at
the nearest big city or state, so Haryana, Goa,
B Y AIDEN JE WELLE GONZ ALE S Mumbai, and Delhi will carry many of these
bottles.
