World Whisky Day 2025: Indian, Scotch And Japanese Whiskies You Can Explore On A Budget
Marked on the third Saturday of May every year, World Whisky Day offers a chance to explore the complexities and charm of whisky. This year, World Whisky Day 2025 will be celebrated on May 17. As an enthusiast, you can mark the day by organising a whisky tasting, or you could throw a get together for like-minded whisky connoisseurs with whisky cocktails and food pairings. But before you get into all of that, you need to understand which varieties of whisky to procure and how heavy this process will be on your pocket.
For whisky enthusiasts who are fond of studying different varieties of the liquor and adding them to the portfolio of the home bar, along with looking for well-crafted whiskies, budget is also a consideration. While certain premium Scotch or Irish whisky labels might tend to be heavier on the pocket, there are other variations which are smooth, peaty, smoky renditions of the liquor but can be suitable for those going about whisky tasting processes on a budget.
Over the last few decades, whiskies have undergone slight price evolutions around the world so that some of the brands can be procured at affordable prices. Different kinds of whiskies are produced across the globe, which contain flavours and aromas of the local regions where they are distilled. From Japanese whisky to a quality, peaty Scotch to an Indian single malt whisky complete with hints of indigenous botanicals, several spirits can be sourced for tasting while keeping the shopping budget friendly.
Budget Indian Whiskies
Of the different Indian whiskies available out there, the Royal Challenge American Pride continues to be light on the pocket in the range of Rs. 700 to Rs. 1500 for a 750 ml bottle across cities like Maharashtra, Gurgaon, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR and West Bengal. Indian whiskies are complete with golden yellow hues and dense flavours and can often be added to different cocktails blends.
Pocket Friendly Scotch Whisky
With their signature peaty notes and smoky flavours, Scotch whiskies are distilled to extract the most out of malted barley so the resulting blend is an aromatic and robust mix of tart, fruity and nutty flavours. Amongst the many Scotch whiskies out there in the market, a budget friendly option could be a 750 ml bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label, which can be sourced across cities like Maharashtra, Gurgaon, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR and West Bengal in the price range of Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3500.
Affordable Japanese Whisky
Elegant and well-balanced, Japanese whiskies embody delicate flavours and smooth textures. Generally, these are blended or grain whiskies with hints of a floral touch so the spirits carry light and subtle flavours that are interesting additions to cocktail blends. While looking for a Japanese spirit on a budget at Indian prices, there are multiple options available in the price range of Rs. 2500 to Rs. 4500 across cities like Maharashtra, Gurgaon, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR and West Bengal.
Premium To Mid Range Whiskies: A Glimpse
In Indian cities, a 750 ml bottle of good quality whisky can be suitably purchased for a whisky tasting gathering or a home hosting event. Quality spirits like the Indian whisky, Godawan 01 Rich And Rounded is available in the price range of Rs. 4000 to Rs. 5000 in cities like Maharashtra, Gurgaon, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR and West Bengal whereas the Godawan 02 Fruit and Spicy can be bought in the range of Rs. 3000 to Rs. 4500 for a noteworthy tasting experience complete with complex and well-developed flavour notes.
Among the mid range brands which offer good taste and straightforward, simpler flavours, a 750 ml bottle of Scotch whisky can be the go-to option. One can choose from a range of whiskies like a 750 ml bottle of Black Dog which can be bought in the range of Rs. 2000 to Rs. 3000 in cities like Maharashtra, Gurgaon, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR and West Bengal.
Premium whiskies have deeper and layered flavour profiles to offer patrons. For whisky connoisseurs with a slightly higher budget, it is possible to look at options like the Johnnie Walker Blue Label available in the price range of Rs. 15000 to Rs. 20000 in cities like Maharashtra, Gurgaon, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR and West Bengal Maharashtra. Such velvety smooth whiskies contain a long and smoky finish complete with vanilla-like sweetness and just a hint of citrus so that when crafted into premium blends, they undoubtedly carry a higher price point.
Pro tip: For a novice whisky enthusiast, one of the simpler ways to go about the tasting process is to purchase smaller 180 ml or 250 ml bottles. This way, multiple global varieties of the spirit can be sourced and their flavours recorded, coming under budget all along!
Note: Price points mentioned above are applicable only to the following places: Maharashtra, Gurgaon, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR and West Bengal. Price points are indicative only and subject to change according to local liquor laws.
This World Whisky Day, don’t just celebrate the spirit through cocktails, tastings and parties. Take it as an opportunity to build your credentials as a connoisseur and collector of premium, world class as well as budget whiskies with this guide as your go-to.
For more information on how to store and preserve premium whiskies for your home bar, click here.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
