India: Himalayan distillery starts whisky production

Himmaleh Spirits has begun whisky production at its new distillery in Uttarakhand, India, which will produce Himalayan single malt, The Spirits Business reported on December 2.

Located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, the distillery uses Forsyths pot stills from Scotland and 100% Indian barley for production. Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, the family-owned distillery was founded by Ansh Khanna and Samarth Prasad in 2023.

Himmaleh Spirits produces Kumaon & I gin, which is made with 11 locally sourced botanicals and spring water, as well as cold-brew coffee liqueur Bandarful.

Located across nine acres, the whisky distillery has an annual production capacity of 900,000 litres of pure alcohol.

The Indian barley used for whisky making is sourced from local farms and distilled from a lengthy fermentation process of more than 90 hours.

To help create the whisky, Himmaleh Spirits’ distillery general manager Shivaji Chandekar has joined forces with Christian Perez Solar, production manager at Scotland’s Arbikie Distillery.

Prasad said: “Our vision has always been to create spirits that are a true reflection of the land they come from. With the commencement of our Himalayan malt whisky production, we are redefining what Indian single malts can achieve – rooted in tradition, yet progressive in craft.

“The pristine environment of the Kumaon region, combined with our meticulous approach and world-class expertise, allows us to create an exceptional whisky. Staying true to our artisanal ethos, this malt is not just a product but a tribute to the land, its people, and their legacy.”

Furthermore, the distillery is offering a limited number of casks to consumers through a new programme. Those who join the programme will gain access to private areas of the distillery, receive priority purchase opportunities for special edition releases and invitations to members-only events, and enjoy VIP visits with tastings.

Khanna called the new programme “an opportunity to be a part of this story, where every cask is a labour of love, shaped by the purity of the Himalayas, the essence of its people and the dedication of our team”.

02 December, 2024