18 August 2025: DeVANS Modern Breweries has once again raised the bar for Indian single malts, with its newly launched expressions GianChand Adambaraa and GianChand Manshaa sweeping top Honours at two of the world’s most prestigious whisky competitions this year.
GianChand Manshaa roared onto the global stage, bagging the coveted titles of International Whisky of the Year 2025 and a Grand Gold at Meininger’s International Spirits Award (ISW) in Germany. Earlier, GianChand Adambaraa clinched both- the Best Single Malt Indian Whisky and Best Indian Whisky awards at the International Whisky Competition (IWC) 2025 in Las Vegas, USA.
These wins continue the stellar performance of Indian spirits on the world stage, signaling the country’s growing might in the premium global whisky arena.
Crafted in the lap of the Himalayas at Jammu, GianChand Manshaa – DeVANS’ first-ever peated single malt – stood out from over 450 global entries at ISW with the whisky impressing the jury with its bold smoky character perfectly framed by citrus, green notes and spicy flavours. The whisky outshone its Scottish and Japanese peers and was awarded the Grand Gold along with 10 other whiskies, ultimately coming on top to clinch the International Whisky of the Year award. Acclaimed whisky critic Jim Murray hailed it for its “charming smokiness, with peat in sparkling form”.
GianChand Adambaraa – a non-peated single malt matured in American ex-bourbon casks – wowed IWC judges with its deep amber glow and notes of dried apricots, honey, and caramel. Murray called it “a malt lover’s dream” and “the closest to a high-class Scottish malt found anywhere in the world.”
Speaking on the double win, Prem Dewan, Chairman and Managing Director, DeVANS’ said, “These awards are more than global recognition – they’re a celebration of Indian craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation. GianChand Adambaraa and GianChand Manshaa are a fitting tribute to our founder Dewan Gian Chand, and realize our dream of projecting DeVANS Indian Single Malts firmly on the world stage and taking them to connoisseurs worldwide. With these remarkable wins, DeVANS is not just making whisky – it’s making history. The success of DeVANS single malts proves that India’s unique climate, diverse ingredients, and skilled distillers can deliver expressions that rival the best from Scotland or Japan.”
Devans Modern Breweries Ltd. established in 1961 has over the years grown to become one of the leading manufacturers of malt spirits and beers in the country. With a diverse portfolio of award wining products, DeVANS takes pride in the quality of its products. The company enters its seventh decade with the mission to continue with the spirit of innovation and diversification of the product portfolio. GianChand Adambaraa and Manshaa are raising a toast to a bold new chapter for Indian whisky on the world stage.
The two new expressions from Gianchand are presently available at duty-free stores in Delhi and Hyderabad and at select retail outlets in Gurgaon. The brands would be available in the retail shelfs of Goa by the end of August.
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