Indri, the luxury single malt whisky brand from Piccadily Distilleries, has launched its Diwali Collector’s Edition 2026 in India, featuring a Ruby Port Cask expression limited to just 600 individually numbered bottles for the domestic market. The release follows its international debut in London and adds to the company’s efforts to strengthen the global positioning of Indian single malt whisky.
Bottled at 50% alcohol by volume (ABV), the limited-edition whisky will be available in India from mid-October in a 700 ml bottle. Its domestic distribution will be restricted to Gurugram, Chandigarh and Bengaluru, positioning the expression as a premium offering for whisky enthusiasts and collectors.
Ruby Port casks distinguish the limited edition
The fourth release in Indri’s annual festive series has been crafted by Master Blender Surrinder Kumar using six-row barley and traditional copper pot stills. The whisky is matured in northern India’s subtropical climate in hand-selected Ruby Port wine casks sourced from Portugal.
The maturation process combines the character of Indian single malt with the fruit-forward complexity associated with fortified wines. According to the company, the resulting flavour profile features black cherries, wild berries and ripe plums on the nose, followed by honeyed fruits, roasted nuts, toffee, vanilla and figs on the palate.
The whisky has a long, fruit-forward finish, with the Ruby Port casks providing its defining character.
International awards strengthen global credentials
The 2026 edition has secured Double Gold with 96 points at the USA Spirits Ratings 2026, where it was also named Indian Single Malt Whisky of the Year and Spirit of the Year – India.
The expression has additionally won Gold at the World Whisky Masters 2026, the New York World Spirits Competition 2026 and the Asia World Spirits Competition 2026 in Singapore.
The company said the Diwali Collector’s Edition series has accumulated 29 international awards, reflecting the growing recognition of Indian single malts in overseas markets.
The 2026 edition was unveiled internationally in London before being showcased at The Whisky Show, where it received recognition from whisky journalists, critics, connoisseurs and industry experts, according to the company.
The series gained significant international attention in 2023 when its Diwali Collector’s Edition was recognised as the Best Whisky in the World at the Whiskies of the World Awards.
Packaging draws on India’s royal heritage
Beyond the whisky itself, the limited edition incorporates elements of Indian art and royal heritage into its packaging.
Designed by Krsnaa Mehta, founder of India Circus, the presentation draws inspiration from Indian miniature art, using jewel tones, intricate floral patterns and ornate detailing. A Marwari horse and its foal form the central motif, symbolising nobility, lineage and continuity.
The design positions the product at the intersection of premium spirits, Indian cultural identity and collectible luxury packaging.
“With the 2026 Ruby Port Cask, we wanted to push that story further, bringing together the richness of Indian single malt, the elegance of exceptional Ruby Port casks and the artistry of India’s cultural heritage,” said Surrinder Kumar..
He said the limited release was intended to celebrate both Diwali and the progress made by Indian whisky producers, adding that the expression’s international recognition reflected the craftsmanship behind the brand.
Duty-free channels to carry international variant
While the domestic edition is bottled at 50% ABV, an international variant with a higher alcohol strength of 58.5% ABV will be available through select duty-free outlets.
The international version is scheduled to be offered at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, as well as at Dubai Duty Free.
The limited domestic allocation of 600 bottles makes the Ruby Port Cask edition a tightly restricted release. For Piccadily Distilleries, the launch also provides an opportunity to build on Indri’s international recognition by combining limited-edition production, cask-led maturation and Indian cultural themes in the premium spirits market.