Godawan Century, a relatively unknown Indian single malt whisky, took the prize for Single Malt ... [+]
Best-in-class single malt whiskies at major international spirit competitions are increasingly coming from a diverse array of countries. Last week, Godawan Century, a relatively unknown Indian single malt whisky, took the prize for Single Malt Whisky of the Year at the 2024 London Spirits Competition.
Historically, single malt whisky was synonymous with Scotland and, to a lesser extent, Ireland. Today, it’s produced in more than 100 countries around the world, from China to Australia and from South Africa to Norway. Variations in raw materials, production processes, and maturations result in a broad array of aroma and flavor profiles.
India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of whisky. Most of India’s whiskies, however, are unabashed “bottom-shelf.” In most countries, a spirit needs to be based on a mash bill of cereal grains to qualify as a whisky. Much of India’s whisky production, however, was based, in whole or in part, on molasses and couldn’t be called a whisky in Europe or North America.
Over the last several decades, Indian whisky has undergone a quality revolution. New producers like Amruth (Bangalore), Paul John (Goa), and Rampur (Uttar Pradesh), among others, have put Indian single malts on the world stage, elevating it to the highest tier of single malt whisky worldwide. The latest addition is Diageo-owned Godawan.
Godawan is the local name for the Great Indian Bustard. The bird, once ubiquitous in India, has dwindled to a single flock of less than 100 birds. According to Diageo India, “the brand is dedicated to the environmental conservation and ecological preservation of the bird.”
The whisky is produced and matured at the Alwar distillery in Rajasthan, a hot, dry region of India, from locally grown six-row barley. The climate maximizes the extraction of flavor from the cask wood while also increasing the “angel’s share”; the portion of the spirit lost to evaporation.
India’s whisky production regulations are more flexible than those of the Scotch Whisky Association in Scotland. Godawan is matured in casks that have previously been infused with Indian botanicals. The list of botanicals is not disclosed.
The London Spirits Competition Judging Panel described the Godawan 100 as:
A single malt whisky with pronounced tropical notes and a lighter palate. It offers a very sweet palate with hints of caramel, charcoal, cinnamon and anise, leading to a long dry finish.
The Godawan 100 is a special Collector’s Edition Single Malt bottling. Only 100 bottles were produced. They are unlikely to ever be available in North America, although they may be available from UK-based internet vendors.
The rest of the Godawan range of whiskies, however, can be readily found in North America. The Alwar distillery calls the whisky the “Spirit of the Desert” and describes it as:
A deep golden brown liquid pale yellow with pronounced full-bodied flavor, rich and rounded, and finished in PX Sherry casks curated with exotic Indian botanicals.
Try the Godawan Series No. 01 Indian Single Malt Whisky or the Godawan Series 02 Fruit and Spice Indian Single Malt Whisky. Both whiskies can be found for between $50 and $70 a bottle.
The London Spirits Competition is an annual event held in London, England, that evaluates spirits based on their quality, value, and packaging. It is judged by a panel of experienced spirits industry professionals, including master distillers, brand ambassadors, and spirits buyers. The competition aims to recognize and reward spirits that offer both quality and value to consumers. Winners of the London Spirits Competition receive medals based on their performance, with categories such as Gold, Silver, and Bronze, as well as special awards for best spirits by category and country.
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