Overview: A curated selection of fifteen beverages has been identified for the 2026 festive season, ranging in price from Rs 100 to Rs 10,000. The list includes options suitable for Diwali gatherings or the five-day revelry of Durga Puja, covering whisky, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, wine, and beer.
The Full Story
While whisky remains a perennial crowd-pleaser during the festive season, the selection extends beyond that category to include diverse spirits and wines. The curation features limited-edition Indian single malts alongside international brands like Glenfiddich and Hendrick’s. Specific highlights include jamun-flavoured vodka, crisplagers, sparkling wine, and smooth tequila, ensuring options for various palates.
The whisky selections range from homegrown expressions to European oak sherry cask finishes. The Doppelgänger by Paul John and SMAC is a collaborative collection limited to just 156 bottles, featuring close to nine years of tropical maturation. Rampur 1943 Virasat begins with premium Indian six-row barley and matures in American bourbon barrels before finishing in Ruby Port casks. Glenfiddich 15 Year Old is aged in European oak sherry casks and new oak casks, harmonised in the brand’s unique Solera Vat.
Vodka options include Single Estate Vodka by D’YAVOL Spirits, made from 100 per cent winter wheat with a unique black pearl filtration. Smirnoff Minty Jamun combines the sweet-tart character of jamun with a cooling mint note, serving as a base for highballs built around lime, soda or tonic. Gin selections feature Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin with botanicals like lemongrass and Darjeeling Green Tea, alongside Hendrick’s Original Gin infused with rose and cucumber.
Rum enthusiasts can choose Camikara Rum Cask 3 Years Aged, the country’s first-ever pure cane juice aged rum crafted in an Agricole-style tradition. Flor de Caña Spresso is made with zero added sugar, bringing together premium rum and coffee liqueur. Tequila options include el Jimador Silver, reintroduced to Indian consumers with a fresh identity, and Patron Silver from the highlands of Jalisco, matured in oak barrels for two months.
Wine selections include Jacob’s Creek Riesling with sweet flavours of floral lime and green apple, which pairs with Diwali snacks. Sula Brut Tropicale Method is a sparkling wine made using the classic Charmat method. Beer options feature Medusa Air, a lighter crisper lager with an alcohol by volume of 4.5 per cent, and Bira Boom at 7 per cent ABV, brewed with two-row and caramel malts alongside rice.
Production & Profile
The technical specifications highlight a variety of maturation processes and distillation methods. Whisky expressions utilize American bourbon barrels, Ruby Port casks, European oak sherry casks, and new oak casks. The Solera Vat is used for Glenfiddich 15 Year Old to lend complex and layered flavour profiles. Vodka production involves winter wheat and black pearl filtration, while gin relies on handpicked botanicals including juniper, saffron, coriander seeds, and citrus peels.
Rum production distinguishes itself through the use of fresh sugarcane juice rather than molasses for Camikara Rum Cask 3 Years Aged. Tequila is manufactured from 100 per cent blue agave. Beer profiles range from malt-forward to lighter lagers, with ABV percentages explicitly stated for Medusa Air and Bira Boom. Specific ingredients such as Darjeeling Green Tea in gin and roasted coffee in Spresso rum define the unique character of each selection.
Consumer Takeaway
This collection offers a comprehensive range of options for stocking up on beverages for the 2026 festive season. The selections span from budget-friendly beer at Rs 130 to premium single cask whisky at Rs 8,200. Consumers can choose between homegrown Indian expressions and international brands based on specific maturation details like American bourbon barrels or Ruby Port casks. The list provides versatility for neat consumption, on the rocks, or in cocktails built around lime, soda, or tonic.
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