New Delhi, 21st November 2025: Diageo India, one of the country’s leading beverage alcohol companies, has joined the Indian Malt Whisky Association (IMWA) as its member. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in strengthening the future of Indian Single Malt Whisky and shaping the category into a globally admired premium segment.
Indian Malt Whisky Association, established as the unified voice of India’s malt whisky producers, has been at the forefront of developing rigorous quality and process guidelines to ensure authenticity, transparency, and excellence in Indian Single Malt and Pure/Vatted Malt whiskies. The standards emphasise production using 100% malted barley at a single distillery, using copper pot still distillation, and a minimum three-year maturation in oak barrels of capacity less than 700 liters within India. Through these frameworks, IMWA is creating a strong foundation for credibility while championing the rise of Indian malt whiskies on the world stage.
Diageo India is among India’s leading beverage alcohol (alcobev) companies with an outstanding portfolio of premium brands. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Diageo India has one of the largest manufacturing footprints in alcobev with 35 facilities across India. With IMWA, Diageo India has reinforced its commitment to premiumisation, championing Grain to Glass sustainability, responsible consumption and nurturing the alcobev ecosystem, to contribute to India’s growth agenda. This partnership enables active collaboration on technical working groups, policy advocacy with state and central regulatory authorities, and initiatives that nurture a fair, transparent, and growth-oriented operating environment for the malt whisky ecosystem in India.
Additionally, this association will also focus on educating consumers and other relevant stakeholders on provenance, craftsmanship, and responsible consumption. It supports efforts to enhance export readiness, develop sustainable supply-chain practices, and highlight the unique terroir and talent that position India as a future leader in global whisky culture.
Mr. Devashish Dasgupta, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo India said, “We are delighted to join the Indian Malt Whisky Association and collaborate with industry peers to further elevate the Indian single malt category. Indian single malts have earned global admiration, and this partnership reaffirms our commitment to championing this remarkable homegrown success. Together with IMWA, we aspire to shape the future defined by authenticity, craftsmanship, and pride.”
Maj Gen (Dr) Rajesh Chopra, Director General, IMWA, said, “We are delighted to have Diageo as one of our members. This adds another feather in our cap. Diageo’s global expertise and deep market presence will strengthen our collective mission of uplifting Indian Single Malt whisky standards, ensure robust policy frameworks and enhance the premium reputation of ‘Made in India’ single malts globally.”
As the partnership takes effect, both organisations reaffirm their commitment to responsible consumption, prevention of under-age drinking and elimination of illicit alcohol. Together, Diageo India and IMWA will continue to elevate India’s presence in the world whisky map while contributing to the country’s economic and cultural growth.
