The whisky world has been talking about Indri single malt Indian whisky since the moment it launched in 2022. For whisky explorers yet to discover Indri, how would you describe it?

Indri is a whisky that tells the story of modern India through the lens of Indian terroir and craftsmanship. From the very beginning, our vision was not to recreate a Scotch or follow an established template, but to create a single malt that could create its own distinct identity with exceptional quality. 

Every element of Indri reflects that philosophy. From organic, non-GMO six-row barley grown in Rajasthan and distilled in traditional copper pot stills, to maturation in India’s unique climate, where the interaction between spirit and oak accelerates flavour development and creates exceptional depth and complexity. As a Master Blender, my role is to ensure these natural advantages come together in perfect harmony, resulting in a whisky that is rich, fruity, well-balanced and layered, with each expression offering its own distinctive character.

For someone discovering Indri for the first time, I would describe it as the new face of Indian luxury. It is an authentic expression of India’s terroir, craftsmanship and spirit of innovation, which is bold in character, rich in complexity and unmistakably Indian. Every sip reveals layers of tropical fruit, spice and oak, shaped by our unique climate and careful maturation. Today, the Indian single malt category has earned its rightful place among the world’s finest whiskies, with Indri standing confidently alongside the most respected names on the global stage.

You are widely regarded as the architect of India’s premium spirits revolution, with over three decades of experience shaping Indian single malt. What first drew you to whisky as a craft?

My journey into whisky has always been driven by a combination of science, curiosity and a deep desire to create something extraordinary. After completing my master’s degree in food technology, I began my career as a chemist, but it wasn’t long before I discovered the fascinating world of single malt whisky at Amrut Distilleries. That experience completely changed the course of my career. What captivated me was the realisation that whisky is never just about the ingredients. It’s about how time, climate, wood and human craftsmanship come together to create something truly unique. Over the years, I learned every aspect of the craft, developing a profound appreciation for what Indian terroir can achieve when treated with patience and respect.

When I joined Indri in 2019, I saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build something from the ground up. The vision was not simply to create another single malt, but to craft a whisky that would proudly represent India on the world stage. One that honours traditional whisky-making while embracing innovation and showcases the exceptional quality and character that India is capable of producing.

India’s climate is central to what Indri is. Tell us about the distillery’s location and why it matters so much to what ends up in the bottle.

At Indri, our location is far more than just the place where we make whisky. It is one of the defining factors of our spirit. Our distillery is situated in the village of Indri, near the foothills of the Himalayas in Haryana, close to the catchment of the River Yamuna. This gives us a unique microclimate that is quite distinct from India’s older, more tropical southern distilleries, and it has a profound influence on the character of our whisky.

Our summers can reach temperatures of up to 50°C, while winters dip close to freezing. This dramatic seasonal cycle creates an ideal environment for maturation, accelerating and deepening the interaction between the spirit and the oak casks. It draws out rich, layered flavours while enhancing Indri’s signature fruity and floral notes, resulting in a whisky that is smooth, expressive and beautifully balanced. This unique climate allows our whisky to develop remarkable depth, richness and complexity while remaining elegant in character. We have never viewed our climate as a challenge; rather, it is one of our greatest natural advantages. We often speak about terroir in the world of wine, but I firmly believe whisky has its own terroir too. At Indri, every bottle is a reflection of where it is made. Indri is an authentic expression of India’s climate, landscape, heritage and craftsmanship that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else.

The whisky world has been talking about Indri single malt Indian whisky since the moment it launched in 2022. For whisky explorers yet to discover Indri, how would you describe it?

Indri is a whisky that tells the story of modern India through the lens of Indian terroir and craftsmanship. From the very beginning, our vision was not to recreate a Scotch or follow an established template, but to create a single malt that could create its own distinct identity with exceptional quality. 

Every element of Indri reflects that philosophy. From organic, non-GMO six-row barley grown in Rajasthan and distilled in traditional copper pot stills, to maturation in India’s unique climate, where the interaction between spirit and oak accelerates flavour development and creates exceptional depth and complexity.  As a Master Blender, my role is to ensure these natural advantages come together in perfect harmony, resulting in a whisky that is rich, fruity, well-balanced and layered, with each expression offering its own distinctive character.

For someone discovering Indri for the first time, I would describe it as the new face of Indian luxury. It is an authentic expression of India’s terroir, craftsmanship and spirit of innovation, which is bold in character, rich in complexity and unmistakably Indian. Every sip reveals layers of tropical fruit, spice and oak, shaped by our unique climate and careful maturation. Today, the Indian single malt category has earned its rightful place among the world’s finest whiskies, with Indri standing confidently alongside the most respected names on the global stage. 

You are widely regarded as the architect of India’s premium spirits revolution, with over three decades of experience shaping Indian single malt. What first drew you to whisky as a craft?

My journey into whisky has always been driven by a combination of science, curiosity and a deep desire to create something extraordinary. After completing my master’s degree in food technology, I began my career as a chemist, but it wasn’t long before I discovered the fascinating world of single malt whisky at Amrut Distilleries. That experience completely changed the course of my career.

What captivated me was the realisation that whisky is never just about the ingredients. It’s about how time, climate, wood and human craftsmanship come together to create something truly unique. Over the years, I learned every aspect of the craft, developing a profound appreciation for what Indian terroir can achieve when treated with patience and respect. When I joined Indri in 2019, I saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build something from the ground up. The vision was not simply to create another single malt, but to craft a whisky that would proudly represent India on the world stage. One that honours traditional whisky-making while embracing innovation and showcases the exceptional quality and character that India is capable of producing. India’s climate is central to what Indri is. Tell us about the distillery’s location and why it matters so much to what ends up in the bottle.

At Indri, our location is far more than just the place where we make whisky. It is one of the defining factors of our spirit. Our distillery is situated in the village of Indri, near the foothills of the Himalayas in Haryana, close to the catchment of the River Yamuna.