Did you know India’s most popular whisky often has a Scottish secret?

Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 14:20

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Indian whisky is among the best-selling whisky in the world. But did you know that many Indian whiskies contain a surprising ingredient? Some of their flavour and character actually comes from Scotland. How does that work, and why is Scotch whisky used in Indian whisky?

India’s population of around 1.44 billion—the largest in the world—naturally helps boost the sales figures of Indian whisky. But did you also know that Scotch whisky is often used in the production of Indian whisky?

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Why is Scotch whisky used in Indian whisky?

The fact that India doesn’t have to follow Scotch whisky regulations makes things a little easier.

Take McDowell’s No.1, for example, which is marketed by United Spirits Limited, a subsidiary of Diageo. This Indian whisky is made in part from alcohol distilled from sugarcane or grain, blended with a proportion of Scotch whisky, often between 5% and 15%. The Scotch component adds extra complexity and character to the Indian whisky.

Taste is, of course, a matter of personal preference. That’s why the difference between a blend and a single malt is often a lively topic of conversation whenever whisky lovers get together.

What’s actually in Indian whisky?

Let’s take another look at Indian whisky, which doesn’t have to meet the same production standards as whisky from the European Union, the United Kingdom or the United States.

Broadly speaking, some Indian whisky is made from three components. And in India, that’s perfectly legal. The first is extra-neutral alcohol made from molasses. The second is grain alcohol, produced using wheat, rice or corn. The third is Scotch whisky, usually making up around 5% to 15% of the blend.

That’s how well-known brands such as Officer’s Choice, Royal Stag and Imperial Blue are sold in huge quantities in bars and shops across India. But do the people who drink these whiskies know that some of their drink’s complexity and character comes from Scotland?