Restaurant India News: Brown-Forman Launches The Glendronach Single Malt Whisky in India

Brown-Forman has launched The Glendronach in India, expanding its premium whisky portfolio as demand for luxury and super-premium single malts continues to grow in the country.

The company has introduced The Glendronach’s core range in India, including the 12 Years, 15 Years and 18 Years expressions. The Highland distillery, founded in 1826 in Scotland, is known for its focus on sherry cask maturation using Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso casks sourced from Andalucía, Spain.

The launch reflects increasing consumer interest in provenance-driven and flavour-focused premium spirits across India’s hospitality and retail alcohol market, particularly among collectors and high-end whisky consumers.

The whiskies are produced in Scotland’s Highland region and matured primarily in Spanish oak casks, which contribute flavour profiles associated with dried fruits, spice and layered sweetness. According to the company, Pedro Ximénez casks add raisin and rich fruit notes, while Oloroso casks contribute dryness, walnut characteristics and spice.

The India portfolio includes three expressions positioned around different flavour profiles. The Glendronach Aged 12 Years offers notes of autumn fruit, gingerbread, chocolate praline and orange peel, while the 15 Years variant includes maraschino cherry, walnut liqueur and dark chocolate mint notes. The 18 Years expression, matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks, features stewed fruits, toasted walnut bread and tobacco notes. All three variants are bottled using natural cask-imparted colour. The range has been developed under the supervision of Rachel Barrie, who visited India as part of the launch activities.

Rachel Barrie, Master Blender, who was in India to introduce The Glendronach to consumers, collectors and members of the media, said, “The Glendronach is a surprise, a revelation. It begins with an aroma that is inviting, enticing and mellow, before opening into an amplification and crescendo of flavour across the palate - becoming far richer than you first expect. The whisky builds beautifully with every sip, and what is particularly exciting about India is the growing appreciation for that kind of depth, detail, and complexity within single malt whisky.”

Gaurav Sabharwal, Managing Director, India & South Asia, Brown-Forman, said, “The launch of The Glendronach marks another important step in Brown-Forman’s premiumisation journey in India and further strengthens our presence within the luxury and super-premium whisky segment. Indian consumers today are demonstrating a far deeper appreciation for provenance, craftsmanship, and distinctive flavour profiles, and The Glendronach’s richly sherried Highland character makes it a compelling addition to our portfolio at a particularly opportune moment for the category.”

Vinay Joshi, Director - Marketing, Indian Sub-Continent & Maldives, Brown-Forman, added, “The Glendronach represents a significant milestone for us as we enter the Single Malt Scotch category in India with a brand that possesses both exceptional heritage and a truly distinctive whisky style. The objective is not simply to participate in the category’s growth, but to bring a more differentiated and flavour-led proposition to India’s increasingly knowledgeable community of single malt scotch collectors and connoisseurs.”

As part of the market entry, Brown-Forman organised launch experiences in Mumbai and New Delhi focused on tastings and storytelling around cask maturation and whisky craftsmanship. The Glendronach is currently available in Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Chandigarh, with further market expansion planned through 2026.

The launch comes amid rising demand for imported premium spirits in India, where hospitality operators, luxury bars and retail distributors are increasingly expanding their high-end whisky portfolios to cater to evolving consumer preferences.