Bengaluru, July 1, 2026 — Godawan Artisanal Single Malt Whisky from Godawan Distillery, in Rajasthan, has been named Spirit of the Year India and Indian Single Malt Whisky of the Year at the Bartender Spirits Awards 2026, emerging as the highest-ranked Indian spirit across all categories at the competition. Both titles were awarded to Godawan 02 Fruit & Spice, one of the brand’s core expressions known for its vibrant fruit and floral notes.
Organised by the Beverage Trade Network, the Bartender Spirits Awards are among the few global competitions judged by those who work closely with spirits every day – bartenders, bar managers and hospitality professionals. Spirits are blind tasted for their liquid quality, aroma, flavour, balance and overall character, and then evaluated on packaging and value, making the awards a strong reflection of what resonates with the global bar community.
Spirit of the Year is the competition’s most coveted title, determined by the highest aggregate performance across all categories entered. This marks one of Godawan’s most significant international achievements to date and comes as the brand crosses the milestone of more than 125 global awards, placing it among India’s most awarded single malts.
Commenting on the win, Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer at Diageo India says, “We have always believed that the liquid has to speak for itself. From the beginning, our ambition was to create the finest single malt that could stand alongside global whiskies. Doing that from Rajasthan, where the climate is among the most demanding for whisky making, pushed us to think differently about every stage of maturation. To be awarded Spirit of the Year India and Indian Single Malt of the Year by bartenders and the people who work with the greatest spirits of the world every day is a powerful endorsement of the whisky and distinctive identity we have worked hard to create.”
Liquid Notes
Godawan’s two core expressions have been crafted to offer distinct flavour experiences for different palates. Godawan 02 Fruit & Spice brings together vibrant fruit and floral notes with vanilla, sweet ginger and coconut, finishing with spice and roasted coffee bean, while Godawan 01 Rich & Rounded layers aromas of sultanas and dried fruits with notes of raisin, fig and apricot, ending in a smooth, buttery finish.
Godawan is crafted using locally sourced six-row barley and a slow distillation process that preserves the depth and complexity of the spirit. It is then matured in Rajasthan’s extreme desert climate, where intense heat and dry conditions accelerate the whisky’s interaction with the oak, creating a rich and concentrated flavour profile. The liquid is finished in specially treated casks infused with Indian botanicals, including Rasna and Jatamansi, carefully selected to complement the whisky’s natural character and create a flavour profile that is distinctly Godawan.
About Diageo India
Diageo India is among India’s leading beverage alcohol (alcobev) companies with an outstanding portfolio of premium brands. A subsidiary of Diageo Plc., it is listed in India on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) under the name United Spirits Limited (USL).
Headquartered in Bengaluru, Diageo India has one of the largest alcohol manufacturing footprints in India, with 35 facilities across the country. It manufactures, sells and distributes Johnnie Walker, Black Dog, Black & White, VAT 69, Antiquity, Signature, The Singleton, Royal Challenge, McDowell’s No1, Smirnoff, Ketel One, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan and Godawan, an artisanal single malt whisky from India, bringing together global expertise and local pride to deliver innovative, world-class products and experiences to consumers. With a strong focus on driving positive impact on society, Diageo India has been working on collective action to improve livelihoods, champion Grain-to-Glass sustainability, responsible consumption, and nurture the alcobev ecosystem to contribute to India’s growth agenda.
