Unleash the Spirit of Adventure: Tour Enchanting Whisky Distilleries in Scotland, India, and Japan This Holiday Season!
Indians are embarking on journeys not just for leisure but to dive deep into the world of whisky, exploring the storied landscapes of Scottish glens and the Japanese Alps. This shift is reflected in significant trends, where SkyScanner’s Travel Trends 2024 report reveals that nearly 63% of surveyed travelers plan to allocate more money to their travel budgets compared to the previous year. Notably, for the first time, Indian sales of single malt whisky surpassed those of Scotch, reaching 53%, according to the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC). This is a clear indicator of the growing seriousness with which Indians approach whisky culture.
Whisky appreciation clubs across India, buoyed by these favorable statistics, are crafting unique itineraries for enthusiasts. Take, for instance, the Single Malt Amateur Club (SMAC) based in Bengaluru. Founded in 2011 and boasting over 4,500 members, SMAC recently organized an exclusive members-only trip to Japan called Whisky Horoheki. This trip saw participants pay between ₹3.3 to ₹3.7 lakh (excluding airfare) for a rare opportunity to visit select distilleries, including the historic Yamazaki Distillery, Japan’s first malt distillery established in 1923. A private tour guided by Suntory included an exclusive tasting of the coveted Yamazaki 25-Year-Old whisky.
The itinerary continued with an impressive stop at the Chichibu Distillery, known for being generally inaccessible to the public. SMAC’s connections in the whisky connoisseur community allowed members to access this exclusive site. The allure of whisky tourism isn’t limited to Japan; SMAC also recently hosted a short trip to Singapore, where 11 members experienced top whisky bars and sampled ultra-rare whiskies.
Zoran Peric, managing director at Realmix Limited, emphasizes that whisky tours often showcase unique expressions unavailable in retail stores. Bars in Japan, renowned for their craft cocktails and intimate atmospheres, have become must-visit spots for traveling whisky lovers. Cocktail bar outings included visits to Bar Freedom in Osaka and the famed Bar Kage in Tokyo, offering vintage international and Japanese malts.
Japanese mixologist Shingo Gokan notes the burgeoning interest in whisky tourism among Indians, driven by rising disposable incomes and a quest for premium experiences. Charlie MacLean, a respected figure in Scotch whisky writing, underscores this trend, stating that Scotland remains the heart of whisky and visiting distilleries presents an unparalleled opportunity to appreciate the craft.
Closer to home, clubs like The Dram Club, founded in 2019 and with over 1,200 members, are also facilitating whisky explorations. They have planned a trip to Scotland’s Islay region in August 2025, featuring visits to celebrated distilleries such as Lagavulin and Laphroaig. This careful curation of accessible whisky tourism initiatives is elevating the global conversation about Indian whiskies, thanks to distilleries like Paul John in Goa and Amrut in Bengaluru, both of which are enhancing their visitor experiences.
As India begins to carve its own whisky tourism narrative, whisky trails remain a frontier yet to be fully discovered. With interest in Indian single malts on the rise, enthusiasts worldwide are keen to experience the diverse flavors and histories embedded in Indian distilling practices. According to Heemanshu Ashar, Global Brand Ambassador for Paul John Distilleries, these trails create unforgettable experiences that deepen appreciation for the craft, setting a standard for what quality whisky should be.
As the whisky culture in India continues to flourish, the anticipation for future journeys and discoveries only grows stronger, inviting even more enthusiasts to raise a dram in celebration of this spirited adventure.
Features
Tags: Whisky, India, Travel, Tourism, Distilleries, Single Malt, Japanese Whisky
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/food/features/tour-whisky-distilleries-in-scotland-india-and-japan-this-holiday-season/article68170835.ece
Category : Features
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Publish Date: 2025-05-16 14:36:00
