Indian malt whisky producers have joined forces to form a trade body to establish “regulatory and technical standards” for the industry.
The Indian Malt Whisky Association (IMWA) will focus on preserving, promoting, and protecting “India’s rich malt whisky heritage”.
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The New Delhi-based association has positioned itself alongside industry bodies such as the Scotch Whisky Association, the Irish Whiskey Association and the Japanese Spirits & Liquor Whisky Association.
The trade body is led by Major General (Dr) Rajesh Chopra and has founding members from major Indian single malt producers.
The founding members include Paul John from John Distillers, Rakshit Jagdale from Amrut Distilleries, Abhishek Khaitan from Radico Khaitan and Siddhartha Sharma from Piccadily Agro.
With the launch, the trade body seeks to position India as a “global leader” in the production of “authentic”, “luxury” and “finely crafted” malt whiskies.
The association will focus on fostering innovation and upholding industry standards with the objective of “reshaping industry portfolios” and advancing “premiumisation” within the sector.
While the IMWA supports the “growth” of new malt distilleries across India, the trade body said it will remain vigilant against the “misrepresentation” of lower-quality Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) or Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA)-based products as Indian single malts.
IMWA founder and director general Chopra said: “Defining guidelines, securing certifications, trademarks, geographical indications and intellectual property rights are essential steps to build trust in the authenticity and quality of Indian malt whiskies.
“By establishing these standards, we signal to the world that India produces malt whisky of unparalleled quality and distinction,” Chopra added.
To ensure authenticity, the association has set “stringent qualification criteria” for Indian single malts and pure malts.
Under the defined standards, Indian single malts must be produced entirely from “100% malted barley” at a single distillery using copper pot stills, excluding column stills, the IMWA said.
The production process is limited to malted barley, pure water, and yeast and the whisky must be matured for a minimum of three years in wooden oak barrels with a capacity of less than 700 litres.
The association also defined pure malts or 100% malt whisky as a blend of two or more different malts sourced from separate distilleries.
The IMWA will also work closely with state authorities to ensure compliance with these standards and will take legal action against any violations.
Chairman John said: “IMWA marks the dawn of a new era for Indian single malts, where tradition meets innovation. IMWA is dedicated to elevating Indian single malts to the global stage and redefines the commitment of Indian single malts to quality and craftsmanship.”
