Top 10 Best Scotch Whisky Brands in India That Every Whisky Lover Should Try

If you want to enjoy the best whiskies of the world, you need to try Scotch whisky. The reason is simple: Scotland is the birthplace of the world’s finest whiskies.

They are made using centuries-old recipes and methods. Each Scotch whisky has a unique taste and flavour. Scotch whisky comes in various types too.

Above all, the only whisky distilled in Scotland can officially be called ‘Scotch’.

Fact is Even the most expensive Indian-made whisky is not Scotch.

The word Scotch is a Geographical Indication for whiskies made in Scotland. The term ‘Scotch’ whisky is protected under international laws.

To help you enjoy whisky and appreciate various flavours of this Scottish drink, I am listing my top 10 favourite brands of Scotch whisky.

This List helps us pick 10 of the best scotch whisky brands in India which are reasonably priced.

Please note that rates I have mentioned are only indicative. Prices of various brands and their variants can be higher or lower, depending upon where you buy.

Top 10 Scotch Whisky Brands in India Along With Price

1. Glenfiddich (Rs 3,100 to Rs.2 million)

Best Scotch Whisky- glenfiddich whisky

Glenfiddich is the world’s best selling single-malt whisky.

It is categorised as Speyside single-malt whisky and is a very popular Scotch whisky brand worldwide.

There are over 27 variants of Glenfiddich whisky, each crafted in a manner that is unique to the distillery.

Glenfiddich matures its whiskies for a minimum of 12 years.

Whenever you taste Glenfiddich, you are consuming one of the finest Scotch whiskies of the world that has been crafted using traditional techniques and recipes of nearly 250 years.

Minimum Price: The Price of Glenfiddich Starts from Rs 3,100

2. Laphroaig (Rs.3,500 to Rs.600,000)

best scotch Brand in India -

Admittedly, I am partial to Laphroaig Scotch whisky. I rate all variants of Laphroaig as the best of what Scotland has to offer.

Laphroaig calls itself “the most richly flavoured of all Scotch whiskies.”

The claim is somewhat true. Laphroaig is matured for at least 10 years and comes in various variants.

It is a single-malt Scotch whisky. The cheapest variant in India is priced around Rs.3,500 while rare and expensive varieties can cost up to Rs.600,000.

Also Read: Top 10 Premium Whisky Brands of India

3. The Dalmore (Rs.5,200 to Rs.575,000)

The Dalmore whisky

The Dalmore has various variants, all crafted carefully to delight any whisky lover. The Dalmore is available as Highland Malt and Single Malt Whiskies.

This lovely Scotch whisky brand is distilled and matured with unique processes.

These techniques, used for nearly 200 years lend The Dalmore whiskies their unique rich tastes and flavours.

In India, a bottle of The Dalmore would cost you nearly Rs.5,200 while expensive variants sell for as much as Rs.575,000.

Also Read: Top 10 Most Popular Best Beer Brands in India

4. Chivas Regal (Rs.2,500 to Rs.175,000)

Chivas Regal

For most Indians, the brand Chivas Regal is associated with luxury. Chivas Regal is an excellent whisky by all means but a very common brand.

It is a blended whisky- meaning it consists of different whiskies such as Speyside, Highland, single-malt and others blended abd matured together in casks for a minimum of 12 years.

Chivas Regal is now easily available since its owners, Ricard Pernod has extensive operations in India.

The cost of a bottle depends upon maturity and rarity of the whisky.

Minimum Price: The Price of Chivas Regal Starts from Rs 2,500

Also Read: 10 Best Champagne Brands in India (Price and Details)

5. Famous Grouse (Rs.1,500 to Rs.21,000)

Famous Grouse whisky

Famous Grouse is yet another popular Scotch brand consumed in India. Famous Grouse is also a blended whisky.

It is considered as a standard whisky and is crafted by blending several types of malt whiskies and maturing them up to six months.

Famous Grouse is a Scotch whisky that was awarded the Royal Warrant by the British government. It also ranks among the most widely exported whiskies of Scotland.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Red Wines in India Along With Price

6. J&B Rare Blend (Rs.13,000 to Rs.65,000)

J&B Rare Blend whisky

If you have not tasted J&B Rare Blend, you could be missing out on one of the finest and best Scotch brands of the world.

J&B Rare Blend consists of 42 different Scottish grain and malt whiskies.

J&B Rare Blend is often considered by many to be the topmost selling brand of blended whiskies in the world, though the accolade is disputed by some.

For the price, it is definitely expensive in the Indian market.

But you can always ask some relative or friend to pick up a bottle from the Duty-Free at slightly lower rates.

Also Read: 10 Most Superior Quality Gin Brands in India For Making Cocktails

7. Cutty Sark (Rs.11,000 to Rs.49,000)

Cutty Sark whisky

Cutty Sark is a blended whisky made by mixing and maturing different malt and grain whiskies of Scotland.

What makes Cutty Sark so special?

Cutty Sark finds mention in several novels and books as the favourite whisky of the main character.

Popular novelist James Hadley Chase mentions Cutty Sark in many of his books.

Other authors including Stephen King and Haruki Murayami among others also mention Cutty Sark Scotch whisky in their novels.

Also Read: 10 Best Rum Brands in India

8. Black & White (Rs.17,000 to Rs.53,000)

Black & White whisky

Black & White Scotch whisky is the only whisky that is seen in many Hollywood movies.

It also remains the favourite Scotch whisky of several renowned Hollywood actors.

Legendary and fictional secret service agent, James Bond, can be seen sipping Black & White Scotch whisky in some movies too.

Black & White comes in a distinctly coloured green flask. It is a blended whisky crafted with as many as 60 different malts and grain whiskies matured to perfection.

You get Black & White Scotch whisky in two variants, 1974 and 1960. The older one is more expensive since it contains rarer and highly matured whiskies.

9. Johnnie Walker (Rs.2,750 to Rs.48,000)

Johnnie Walker whisky Price

Johnnie Walker is a blended Scotch whisky. Almost everyone in the world has heard of Johnnie Walker.

The most famous in India is Johnny Walker Red Label followed by the slightly pricier Johnnie Walker Black Label.

All Scotch whiskies of the Johnnie Walker range are categorised by label colours.

Hence you have Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Green Label, Gold Label and Double Black Label.

Additionally, Johnnie Walker’s other famous whiskies include Aged 18 Years and Swing. In 2016, over 156.6 million litres of Johnnie Walker range of Scotch whiskies were sold.

It is the only Scotch whisky brand available in almost every country where alcohol is permitted and is famous among booze smugglers too for the high price it fetches in the black market.

Also Read:10 Best Quality Brandy Brands in India To Try Out Atleast Once

10. Vat 69 (Rs.2,000 to Rs.45,000)

Vat 69 Scotch whisky

Vat 69 features in several Bollywood regional Indian movies where heroes, heroines and villains are seen consuming this famous Scotch whisky.

The reason for its popularity in Indian movies was possibly due to the catchy name and unique flask shape and colour.

Vat 69 is actually a blend of some 40 different malt and grain whiskies from Scotland.

Though it does not undergo prolonged maturation in vats, the blend of 40 whiskies lends it the unique flavour and taste.

There are four different variants of Vat 69 available in India while a couple of more can be found in select foreign markets.

Also Read:

 Final Thoughts

According to various sources, whisky accounts for over 67 percent of alcoholic drinks sold in India.

Whisky is also world’s most widely consumed alcoholic drinks and the third most popular beverage after water and tea.

There are many advantages to your health if you consume small amounts of whisky daily or once a week.

Scotch is the best type of whisky because they are crafted using traditional methods and matured in wooden casks.

Scotch whiskies have a distinct flavour and taste. They are also rich in essential nutrients. Though expensive, Scotch whiskies provide excellent value for your money. And finally: drink and enjoy responsibly.

1 thought on “Top 10 Best Scotch Whisky Brands in India That Every Whisky Lover Should Try”

Leave a Comment