5 new spirits to drink on New Year’s Eve 2024

India's love of homegrown single malts shakes up Pernod, Diageo

From homegrown single malts to a world-famous tequila, here’s how to ring in 2024 in style.

Don Julio Blanco and Reposado

Don Julio, launched recently by Diageo India, will fit the bill if you are looking for an easily drinkable, dependable tequila this New Year’s Eve. The 81-year-old brand, founded by the eponymous Don Julio Gonzalez in Jalisco, in Mexico, is among the world’s largest-selling tequilas, and while India hasn’t got the top-end Don Julio 1942 yet, the Blanco and the Reposado won’t disappoint. The Don Julio Blanco can be enjoyed neat but can also hold its own in a cocktail, while the Reposado, aged for eight months in American white oak barrels, is grassy and herby with a smooth finish.

Rs 9,350/Rs 10,450 (Maharashtra)

Don Julio Blanco

Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky

Nothing sells like homegrown single malt, and the latest entrant into the arena is Dahanu-based South Seas Distilleries. Their Crazy Cock whisky, made from 6-row Indian barley and distilled in copper pot stills, is available in two expressions: Rare and Dhua. The deep amber-coloured Rare is matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks and features floral notes intertwined with honey, pears, and chocolate, while Dhua is mildly peated and promises “smoke-laced spice, raisins, and a touch of cinnamon” on the palate.

Rs 8,900/Rs 12,500

44N Gin

‘Liqour-tech’ company Comte de Grasse, which is HQ-ed in Grasse, in France, claims to use fragrance science and techniques to create spirits. One of these is the 44N gin, which is made using techniques such as ultrasonic maceration and vacuum distillation. Named after the geographic coordinates of Grasse, the gin uses 22 botanicals including samphire, mimosa, jasmine, verbena, alexanders, and lavender. The gin is said to have a citrusy aroma, a “booming floral body” and faintly sweet, lingering finish.

Rs 11,230 (Delhi)

44N Gin

Camikara 3YO Aged Rum

Launched in late 2022, the limited-edition Camikara 12 YO, India’s first pure cane juice rum, was a revelation. With the 3YO, Piccadilly Distilleries, which also produces the award-winning Indri whisky, hopes to democratise the pleasures of their exceptional rum. Bottled at 42.8% ABV, Piccadilly promises hints of funkiness on the nose; and “a masterful alchemy of oak and cane juice spirit” on the palate.

The rum is currently available in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. Rs 1,500/Rs 2,410/Rs 1,830

Camikara 3YO Aged Rum

Longitude 77 Single Malt Whisky

The name might be unimaginative – it is quite literally the longitude on which India is located – but let’s hope alcoholic beverage giant Pernod Ricard’s first Indian single malt redeems itself on the nose and palate. The whisky, aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in wine casks, is described as “full-bodied, with hints of caramel, vanilla and faint peat smoke”.

Rs 4,000

Concha y Toro

Chilean winemaker Concha y Toro is among Latin America’s largest wine producers. Its range of wines, especially the Frontera, are popular in America, and now, thanks to importer Aspri Spirits, some of these have just landed in India. If you are looking for a dependable wine – something way better than the usual Jacobs Creek – we’d suggest you check out the medium-bodied Frontera Merlot, which is produced close to Santiago. Or, if you are in, say, Mumbai, which is still quite muggy, check out their fruity, refreshing Chardonnay.

Rs 1850