Forget Jack Daniel's — Some Of The World's Best-Selling Whiskeys Come From India

Brands like Jack Daniel's or Johnnie Walker are so ubiquitous, it can make it seem like we live in a world divided into kingdoms of American or Scotch whisky, (with a few Irish and Japanese strongholds). That's not true. The best-selling whiskies in the world are Indian, and by a staggering amount. For several years, the Spirits Business Brand Champion's Report has illuminated how dominant Indian whisky sales are in the global market in terms of volume, and this year's is no different. 

Of the top 10 whisky/whiskey brands, 60% were from India. These whiskies took the first four spots, with the top drop being Royal Stag, followed by McDowell's No.1, Officer's Choice, and Imperial Blue respectively. Number five is Johnnie Walker, the world's best selling scotch. Jack Daniel's only ranks seventh, recording less than half the amount of whiskey sold compared to Royal Stag.

There are few factors that help Indian whiskies achieve such high volume. The country's comparatively large population of over 1.4 billion people creates a massive market for domestic sales. This market is also insulated by high tariffs on imported spirits, 75% for scotch (recently dropped from 150%), and duties of between 100% and 150% for American-made whiskeys. That means the very affordable and locally relevant Indian brands are more accessible for "everyday" drinking that fuels volume sales. Royal Stag can cost the equivalent of around $7 USD per bottle domestically. Meanwhile, India also exports its whisky to global markets, growing volume sales overseas.

There is no shortage of controversy in Indian whisky's status as the best-selling in the word, with dispute about whether these spirits actually count as whisky, due to the majority of them including neutral molasses-derived spirits, rather than grain alone. This isn't permitted in most definitions of whisky or whiskey around the world, but it's long been a unique aspect of making the spirit in India. However, Royal Stag, now the world's top selling whisky by a considerable margin, first made a name for itself by blending imported scotch with Indian grain spirits rather than molasses, which aligns it more closely to traditional definitions. India consumes nearly half the world's whisky, and while spirit sales in America shrunk by 2.2% in 2025, the Indian whisky market is projected to grow by around 7% every year until 2034, per IMARC GROUP.

Royal Stag stole the top spot from the other Indian whisky leader, United Spirits-owned McDowell's No.1, which held the position for six years. Royal Stag was launched in 1995 by Seagrams, which was purchased by Pernod Rocard in 2001. Those who've tried it rate Royal Stag's flagship whisky as smooth and medium-bodied with malt notes, as well as classic vanilla, dried fruit,oak, and light smoke. McDowell's No.1 Original also delivers confectionary notes of vanilla, chocolate, butterscotch, and fruity and citrus notes. Both are described as being sweet, and while drinkable on their own, shine more in refreshing formats; on rocks or in mixers or cocktails.