Indian whisky
Distilled alcoholic beverages that are labelled as "whisky" in India are commonly blends based on neutral spirits that are distilled from fermented molasses with only a small portion consisting of traditional malt whisky, usually about 10 to 12 percent.[1] Outside of India, such a drink would more likely be labelled a rum.[2] Ninety percent of the whisky consumed in India is molasses-based,[3] although whisky wholly from malt and other grains is now available.[4]
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[edit] Indian whisky and Scotch whisky
The drinking of Scotch whisky was introduced into India during the nineteenth century, during the period of the British Raj. Scotch-style whisky is the most popular sort of distilled alcoholic beverage in India, though India has traditionally been thought to lack a domestic drinking culture, with the exception of Rajputs, Gujjars and Jats. Although India now has a high level of alcohol consumption, even to the point where the government has called for mandatory "dry weekends" where alcohol is not purchasable in any market in New Delhi.[5] Whisky, however, has become fashionable for wealthier Indians, and as such the market for whisky among affluent Indians is one of the largest in the world.[1] Brand names of Indian molasses whisky, including "Bagpiper", "McDowell's No. 1",[6] "MaQintosh"[4] suggest that the inspiration behind the Indian whiskies is Scotch whisky, despite these products being chiefly made from molasses.
[edit] Trade controversy
The consumption of native distilled molasses-based whisky in India is encouraged by tariff barriers of up to 550%[2] that impose a significant markup on imported whiskies in India. Imported Scotch whisky bottled under its own brand names makes up only 1% of the total market share. The substantial tax markup on imported whiskies has been categorized by the Scotch Whisky Association as "pure protectionism".[6] There have been some efforts to try to reduce the tariff on Scotch whisky to 150%.[3]
Under Vijay Mallya's direction, United Breweries has been acquiring a number of noted whisky brands and distilleries in Scotland, including Dalmore, Isle of Jura, and Whyte & Mackay.[7] United Breweries has been increasing production at its Scottish facilities, and has moved to double the production of whisky at Invergordon. Some of the Scotch whisky so produced is used to blend with the Indian molasses whisky.[6]
Indian distillers, by contrast, accuse the European Union of erecting its own sort of trade barriers by means of rules that forbid the marketing of molasses-based spirits as "whisky". Mallya has objected to the EU's refusal of entry to molasses-based whiskies, claiming that the "imposition of British imperialism is unacceptable".[6] In a lawsuit brought in India by the Scotch Whisky Association, the Delhi High Court enjoined Indian whisky manufacturers from labelling their product with the words "Scot" or "Scotch".[8]
[edit] Manufacturers of Indian whisky
- United Spirits, a division of United Breweries[9]
- Khemani Group
- N.V Group
- Amrut Distilleries
- Shaw Wallace
- Mohan Meakins
- Jagatjit Industries
- Som Distillery
- Khoday
- Premier Distilleries
- Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd.
- John Distilleries
- Shivalik Distilleries (Punjab)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Battle for the world's largest whisky market -- India" - South Africa Mail & Guardian, Mar. 3, 2006, accessed June 25, 2007.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Where 'Whisky' Can Be Rum", from The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 26, 2006, accessed January 27, 2012.
- ^ a b "India stretches whisky market lead", Beverage Daily, Jan. 13, 2004, accessed June 25, 2007
- ^ a b Official web site of Amrut Distilleries, accessed June 25, 2007
- ^ "India:Alcohol and public health", from The Globe, Global Alcohol Policy Alliance, 2005, issue 2 (Accessed June 25, 2007)
- ^ a b c d "The Whisky Rebellion", Time magazine, June 7, 2007, accessed June 25, 2007
- ^ "Whisky giant sold to billionaire", BBC News, May 16, 2007, accessed June 25, 2007
- ^ "If it's Indian it can't be Scotch, court tells India's whiskey makers", The Standard, April 25, 2006, accessed June 28, 2007.
- ^ Vijay Rekhi president of United Spirits: Vijay Mallya, Times of India, Oct. 6, 2005.
[edit] External links
- The Anomalies of Drinking in India, Sharad Bailur, Mumbai, India
- India Distillery, Premier Distilleries Pvt. Ltd. India
