Indian whisky producer Indri has launched its Diwali Collector’s Edition 2026, a cask-strength single malt matured in Portuguese Ruby Port casks, with just 180 individually numbered bottles allocated to the UK.
Bottled at 58.5% ABV, the new expression combines ripe red and dark fruit character with honey, nuts and warming spice.
Produced by Piccadily Agro Industries at its distillery in Indri, Haryana, the single malt is made from indigenous six-row Indian barley and distilled in traditional copper pot stills. Master blender Surrinder Kumar has crafted the 2026 release in small batches, using Ruby Port casks to bring additional depth and fruit character to the spirit.
The maturation environment plays a major part in the whisky’s identity. Indri lies in northern India, near the foothills of the Himalayas, where hot summers and cool winters influence the maturation process, seasonal conditions which help shape a distinctive house style.
The Ruby Port Cask is the fourth edition of the annual Diwali Collector’s Edition, following releases that have explored other cask influences, including Pedro Ximénez sherry and Marsala. Port casks are prized for the richness and sweetness of wines previously held, making them a sympathetic choice for a whisky designed around ripe fruit and dessert-like notes.
Explains Surrinder Kumar, Master Blender for Indri: “The Diwali Collector’s Edition pushes the boundaries of Indian single malt, while staying true to what makes it distinctly Indri, and has been consistently recognised in international awards. This year’s Ruby Port Cask expression offers a new dimension, drawing on the depth and character of Portugal’s wine casks, shaped by the unique climate here at Indri.”
Port casks are prized for the richness and sweetness of wines previously held…
Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition tasting notes
Rich and fruity, this latest Diwali Edition evokes notes of cherry, blackberries and ripe plums on the nose. Raisins, figs and festive fruits compete with toffee and vanilla. It’s a giddy mix.
The palate opens with luscious fruit drizzled with honey. Cinnamon and sweet spice add further depth, while figs, liquorice and Christmas pudding emerge as the whisky develops. The mouthfeel is oily and unctuous.
I suspect a splash of water would bring the fruit notes more to the fore, but I deemed my tasting miniature too precious a resource to experiment with.
The finish is full-bodied and smooth, with gelatine sweetness and dark fruit.
A collector’s edition inspired by Indian miniature art
The packaging has become an important part of the Diwali series. Here Indian designer Krsnaa Mehta’s artwork draws on royal heritage and traditional miniature painting, with jewel tones, and delicate florals evoking the celebratory atmosphere of Diwali.
Since its first edition launched in 2023, the collection has received 29 awards internationally, according to Indri. The 2026 Ruby Port Cask expression has already received six awards, including Gold at the World Whisky Masters and the New York World Spirits Competition.
Indri launched its single malt in 2022 and has since established a growing presence in the international whisky market. The Diwali Collector’s Edition gives the producer an annual platform to explore different cask influences while pairing the whisky with artwork rooted in Indian culture.
The Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2026 Ruby Port Cask sells for £200, with just 180 individually numbered bottles available in the UK. Stockists include The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt.
Midleton has been named Most Awarded International Distillery at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) for the second consecutive year, with 41 medals awarded and three earning coveted Platinum recognition. The SFWSC is recognised as one of the spirits industry’s most prominent international competitions. Entries are assessed through blind tastings by an expert…
English sparkling wine has come of age. Popping corks to celebrate two decades of production, Gusbourne recently held a unique tasting of 13 vintages from the last 20 years, including an extremely rare sampling of its 2006 bottling. The idea behind the retrospective was to examine the evolution of its sparkling wines, vineyards, and winemaking…
Monkey 47 has revealed oyster mushroom as the unusual 48th botanical in its latest limited-release Distiller’s Cut gin, bringing savoury umami notes to its traditional Black Forest spirit. Now in its 16th year, the annual Distiller’s Cut sees Monkey 47 search for a Species Rara: an exceptional ingredient that adds a new dimension to its…
Indian whisky producer Indri has launched its Diwali Collector’s Edition 2026, a cask-strength single malt matured in Portuguese Ruby Port casks, with just 180 individually numbered bottles allocated to the UK.
Bottled at 58.5% ABV, the new expression combines ripe red and dark fruit character with honey, nuts and warming spice.
Produced by Piccadily Agro Industries at its distillery in Indri, Haryana, the single malt is made from indigenous six-row Indian barley and distilled in traditional copper pot stills. Master blender Surrinder Kumar has crafted the 2026 release in small batches, using Ruby Port casks to bring additional depth and fruit character to the spirit.
The maturation environment plays a major part in the whisky’s identity. Indri lies in northern India, near the foothills of the Himalayas, where hot summers and cool winters influence the maturation process, seasonal conditions which help shape a distinctive house style.
The Ruby Port Cask is the fourth edition of the annual Diwali Collector’s Edition, following releases that have explored other cask influences, including Pedro Ximénez sherry and Marsala. Port casks are prized for the richness and sweetness of wines previously held, making them a sympathetic choice for a whisky designed around ripe fruit and dessert-like notes.
Explains Surrinder Kumar, Master Blender for Indri: “The Diwali Collector’s Edition pushes the boundaries of Indian single malt, while staying true to what makes it distinctly Indri, and has been consistently recognised in international awards. This year’s Ruby Port Cask expression offers a new dimension, drawing on the depth and character of Portugal’s wine casks, shaped by the unique climate here at Indri.”
Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition tasting notes
Rich and fruity, this latest Diwali Edition evokes notes of cherry, blackberries and ripe plums on the nose. Raisins, figs and festive fruits compete with toffee and vanilla. It’s a giddy mix.
The palate opens with luscious fruit drizzled with honey. Cinnamon and sweet spice add further depth, while figs, liquorice and Christmas pudding emerge as the whisky develops. The mouthfeel is oily and unctuous.
I suspect a splash of water would bring the fruit notes more to the fore, but I deemed my tasting miniature too precious a resource to experiment with.
The finish is full-bodied and smooth, with gelatine sweetness and dark fruit.
A collector’s edition inspired by Indian miniature art
The packaging has become an important part of the Diwali series. Here Indian designer Krsnaa Mehta’s artwork draws on royal heritage and traditional miniature painting, with jewel tones, and delicate florals evoking the celebratory atmosphere of Diwali.
Since its first edition launched in 2023, the collection has received 29 awards internationally, according to Indri. The 2026 Ruby Port Cask expression has already received six awards, including Gold at the World Whisky Masters and the New York World Spirits Competition.
Indri launched its single malt in 2022 and has since established a growing presence in the international whisky market. The Diwali Collector’s Edition gives the producer an annual platform to explore different cask influences while pairing the whisky with artwork rooted in Indian culture.
The Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2026 Ruby Port Cask sells for £200, with just 180 individually numbered bottles available in the UK. Stockists include The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt.
Midleton named Most Awarded International Distillery for second year, as experts pick their favourite whiskies
Midleton has been named Most Awarded International Distillery at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) for the second consecutive year, with 41 medals awarded and three earning coveted Platinum recognition. The SFWSC is recognised as one of the spirits industry’s most prominent international competitions. Entries are assessed through blind tastings by an expert…
Beyond Champagne: Why Gusbourne Is leading England’s sparkling wine revolution
English sparkling wine has come of age. Popping corks to celebrate two decades of production, Gusbourne recently held a unique tasting of 13 vintages from the last 20 years, including an extremely rare sampling of its 2006 bottling. The idea behind the retrospective was to examine the evolution of its sparkling wines, vineyards, and winemaking…
Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut 2026 adds oyster mushroom to gin recipe for savoury umami twist
Monkey 47 has revealed oyster mushroom as the unusual 48th botanical in its latest limited-release Distiller’s Cut gin, bringing savoury umami notes to its traditional Black Forest spirit. Now in its 16th year, the annual Distiller’s Cut sees Monkey 47 search for a Species Rara: an exceptional ingredient that adds a new dimension to its…
Share this: