Last Updated:December 09, 2025, 14:18 IST

In the blink of an eye, we’ve reached December and there’s nothing better to bring in the year-end celebrations than a look back at some of the most iconic spirits of 2025.

As the final pages of the calendar turn, the spirit of celebration takes centre stage – quite literally. The past year has seen a surge of boldly crafted Indian spirits and global icons tailored for local palates, redefining what it means to raise a toast. From design-forward whiskies and disruptive vodkas to award-winning rums and exclusive Irish expressions, 2025’s celebrations are set to be fuelled by bottles that bring equal parts character, craftsmanship, and conversation-starting flair.

Here are the standout spirits winning favour with Indian drinkers this season – perfect whether you’re hosting, gifting, or elevating your bar cart for the year ahead.

YELLO Designer Whisky

YELLO Designer Whisky brings the drama to December with its bold aesthetic and youthful energy. Designed to reflect the pulse of modern India, the bottle’s signature ‘whisky window’ and sleek lines immediately set it apart. Inside, its blend of premium Scotch malts and Indian malts delivers depth and warmth. The Scotch malts, matured in ex-bourbon barrels, offer vanilla, caramel and gentle oak, while the Indian malts add richness and a lingering finish. Launched in Maharashtra at an MRP of Rs 2,700 for 750 ml, it will soon expand to Goa, West Bengal, and North India.

Camikara Rum

Camikara, from the house of Piccadily Distilleries, is India’s first pure cane juice rum. It continues to set benchmarks globally. Awarded Rum Brand of the Year at The Spirits Business Awards 2025, it stands as the only Indian brand to claim the honour. Aged for three years and bottled at 42.8% ABV, it celebrates India’s sugarcane-growing heritage. True to its Sanskrit-inspired name meaning ‘liquid gold,’ Camikara offers purity and depth – excellent neat or as the base for refined cocktails. Prices range from Rs 1,500 in Haryana to Rs 3,500 in Maharashtra.

RANGEELA Contemporary Indian Vodka

Born from Ranveer Singh’s unmistakable personality, RANGEELA is crafted for those who like their spirits as expressive as they are. Triple distilled and platinum chill-filtered, the vodka is smooth, clean, and versatile – designed to blend effortlessly with any cocktail style or mood. Its flavour profile is tailored for Indian palates with a silky mouthfeel and refined finish. RANGEELA debuted in Maharashtra at Rs 2,400 for 750 ml and is set to roll out across Goa, West Bengal, and North India. Positioned as a premium, homegrown vodka for the modern drinker, it promises to disrupt the category in 2025.

TERAI India Craft Vodka

TERAI India Craft Vodka is a contemporary expression of India’s evolving craft spirits landscape, born from the heritage of the Swarup family, distillers since 1958 in the lush Terai region at the foothills of the Himalayas. Crafted from indigenous rice and shaped by bespoke distilling techniques, it embodies a legacy of mastery and innovation. Distilled seven times, refined in copper pot stills, and polished through amethyst crystal filtration, TERAI Vodka is a study in clarity and elegance. It is priced at Rs 2,245-3000 for a 750 ml bottle. On the palate, it offers a luxuriously smooth texture with mineral-rich depth, balanced by subtle floral notes that whisper of its origins.

ARTHAUS Collective Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

ARTHAUS is an ode to the Bauhaus movement – minimalist, geometric, and art-forward. Crafted from a curated selection of single malt Scotch whiskies, it embodies creativity and craft in equal measure. Its layered profile has already earned global recognition: Silver at the 27th Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2025 and Grand Gold at the Spiritz Achiever’s Awards. Best enjoyed neat or in refined cocktails, ARTHAUS is fast becoming a favourite among whisky enthusiasts seeking sophistication with a design sensibility.

DŌAAB Expression 02 – The Old Man & The Blossom

It is a rare, limited-edition Indian single malt with only 500 casks produced, inspired by a Japanese fable that honours time and wisdom. Matured in Mizunara oak casks sourced from Hokkaido, Japan, it delivers an aromatic, subtly umami depth with layers of mellow richness and delicate floral notes. Crafted using traditional Indian six-row barley grown through indigenous, sustainable methods, the whisky balances robust grain character with the nuanced complexity of Mizunara. Price in India/Gurugram: Rs 3200 to Rs 3800.

DEWAR’S 12 Year Old

DEWAR’S 12 stands as a benchmark in the world of blended whiskies. Made using the brand’s signature Double-Ageing technique, it develops a rich, rounded character amplified by first-fill bourbon cask maturation. Expect a luscious body with notes of honey, citrus, vanilla, and soft fruit. Its exceptionally smooth finish makes it equally enjoyable neat, on the rocks, or in an elevated highball. This festive season, it remains a classic choice for those who value craftsmanship and timeless flavour.

Teeling Whiskey Small Batch Classic

Teeling’s arrival in India brings with it an expression made exclusively for the country’s discerning whiskey drinkers. Crafted in small batches from grain and malt whiskeys, it is aged in first-fill bourbon casks and offers a balanced palate – creamy vanilla layered with gentle spice and fruit. Smooth and approachable, Teeling is poised to become a major player in 2025.

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