India’s first Champagne Barrel Finished single-malt earns top global honour at the John Barleycorn Awards USA
Indian whisky has reached a historic milestone as Kadamba Indian Single-malt Whisky, originating from Goa, has been awarded “Best World Whisky” at the esteemed John Barleycorn Awards USA. This international recognition places Kadamba at the pinnacle of the global whisky landscape and marks a defining moment for India’s fast-evolving premium spirits industry.
The John Barleycorn Awards are widely regarded as one of the most credible and influential platforms in the global beverage alcohol space, celebrating outstanding spirits through rigorous evaluation by seasoned experts. Kadamba’s victory in the World Whisky category highlights not only exceptional quality but also the bold innovation behind India’s first-ever Champagne Barrel Finished Single-malt Whisky.
Produced by Cheers Group, Kadamba is part of the company’s luxury spirits portfolio valued at approximately ₹1,000 crores. The brand has consistently challenged conventional whisky-making norms, and this recognition validates its progressive approach to maturation, blending heritage with modern experimentation.
“This award is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to crafting world-class whisky,” said Ashwin Balivada, CEO of Cheers Group. “Being recognised as the Best World Whisky at a prestigious US platform demonstrates that Indian single malts can stand shoulder to shoulder with the finest whiskies from traditional whisky-producing nations.”
Kadamba is crafted at Imperial Distillers, situated near the historic Kadamba region of Goa—a land steeped in cultural and royal legacy. The whisky draws its name and inspiration from the Kadamba dynasty, which ruled Goa for over three centuries during its Golden Age. This sense of history and place forms the soul of the brand, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation.
What truly distinguishes Kadamba from its global peers is its unique Humidity Ageing Process, developed by Cheers Group. Designed to harness India’s tropical climate, this ageing technique allows the whisky to interact more intensely with oak, accelerating maturity while preserving balance and depth. The result is a spirit with remarkable complexity, richness, and smoothness rarely achieved in such a timeframe.
The Kadamba Champagne Barrel Finished Single-malt is initially aged for four years in charred American oak barrels, imparting a deep amber colour and layers of caramel, vanilla, and oak spice. This is followed by a secondary maturation in carefully selected Champagne barrels, a rare practice in the whisky world. This final stage adds elegance, subtle sweetness, and a refined mouthfeel, elevating the whisky into a truly global expression.
The John Barleycorn Awards jury praised Kadamba for its distinctive profile, sharing tasting notes that described it as:
A silky and refined whisky with dark caramel richness and a buttery vanilla core. Notes of brioche and brown butter add depth, leading to a gently fudgy finish.
According to Dr. Mohan Krishna Balivada, Founder of Cheers Group and the world’s first doctorate holder in alco-bev marketing, the award represents more than just a win for one brand. “Receiving the ‘Best World Whisky’ title in the USA is a landmark achievement not only for Kadamba, but for Indian whisky as a whole. It reflects our unwavering focus on innovation, quality, and delivering extraordinary sensory experiences to whisky lovers across the globe.”
Kadamba’s global success signals a broader shift in the spirits industry, where Indian single malts are increasingly being recognised for their craftsmanship, originality, and confidence. Once considered an emerging category, Indian whisky is now setting benchmarks and redefining expectations on the world stage.
With this prestigious accolade, Kadamba has firmly established itself as a symbol of India’s whisky renaissance—rooted in heritage, shaped by climate, and refined through innovation. As international demand for distinctive and premium spirits continues to rise, Kadamba stands poised to lead India’s single-malt story into a new era of global recognition.
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