NWR: Whiskey. Who knew that?

From The Drinks Business.

The world largest selling whiskey brands according to IWSR.are

1) Officer’s Choice
2) McDowell’s No. 1

"Around 25 million nine-litre cases of McDowell’s No. 1 whisky were sold in 2014, compared to just under 19 million cases of Johnnie Walker Scotch.

What they have in common is
1) they are both made in India
2) virtually all sales are in India

Who knew that?

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2016/ ... sky-brand/

I did.

Also, the #1 gin is from the Philippines. #1 Brandy also.

And #1 spirit is from Korea.

I guess having a home audience of 1 billion is good for sales.

And ya gotta do something to get rid of the sugar cane.

I guess having a home audience of 1 billion is good for sales.

And ya gotta do something to get rid of the sugar cane.

Ayuh.

Although Officer's Choice and McDowell's is legit stuff according to the international rules, much of what is called "whisky" in India is miscegenous swill, although in practice is most often sugar cane. Fortunately, most of that is indeed consumed locally (because it is not exportable).

FYI, although more likely to follow the rules of the game, Panama is a wizard at producing interesting spirits from sugar cane in several categories.

They make a hell of a lot of rum, of course. They also have a kinda-sorta rum called Seco Herrerano, mostly sold locally. They also make lots of gin which is entirely neutral cane spirits (overcooked rum), as well as vodka, also neutral cane spirits.

I guess having a home audience of 1 billion is good for sales.

I understand that 82% of Indians are Hindu and 12% Muslim. Unless I am misinformed, both religions are supposed to be teetotal. So how come there is such a big demand for spirits from the local population ?

I guess having a home audience of 1 billion is good for sales.

I understand that 82% of Indians are Hindu and 12% Muslim. Unless I am misinformed, both religions are supposed to be teetotal. So how come there is such a big demand for spirits from the local population ?

That's why people talk about "practicing religion" -- they aren't very good at it.

I guess having a home audience of 1 billion is good for sales.

And ya gotta do something to get rid of the sugar cane.

Ayuh.

Although Officer's Choice and McDowell's is legit stuff according to the international rules, much of what is called "whisky" in India is miscegenous swill, although in practice is most often sugar cane. Fortunately, most of that is indeed consumed locally (because it is not exportable).

FYI, although more likely to follow the rules of the game, Panama is a wizard at producing interesting spirits from sugar cane in several categories.

They make a hell of a lot of rum, of course. They also have a kinda-sorta rum called Seco Herrerano, mostly sold locally. They also make lots of gin which is entirely neutral cane spirits (overcooked rum), as well as vodka, also neutral cane spirits.

I hope you're writing a book, Hoke. This is great info.

What is usually done with Seco Herrerano... mixed? straight up? substitute for diesel?

It's like vodka, just a local version, Jeff. Used like white rum and vodka, mostly straight but in mixed drinks also.

A guy I know who used to go to Panama regularly to go out in the jungle and blow things up said that a local peasant drink was 'seco con vaca' (seco and milk), but most people called it "vaca loco".

Never had it myself.

Article in today's Wall Street Journal that Diageo has yielded to pressure from the Scotch Whisky Association and will rebrand McDowell's No. 1 outside of India so as not to confuse it with real Scotch. It's next biggest markets for the brand? Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Nigeria. Vast majority is sold in India anyway.

They probably got it from The Drinks Business story, see the link on my post

I did.

Also, the #1 gin is from the Philippines. #1 Brandy also.

And #1 spirit is from Korea.

The knowledge on this board is amazing!

I understand that 82% of Indians are Hindu and 12% Muslim. Unless I am misinformed, both religions are supposed to be teetotal. So how come there is such a big demand for spirits from the local population ?

afaiK, there is no general prohibition on alcohol in Hinduism, though drunkeness/excess is discouraged.
There is no one law-giving text, and different traditions value some texts more than others (which is why some Hindu groups are vegetarian and others aren't)

Turkey is primarily Muslim, and they consume quite a bit of raki. Also have a thriving wine culture.

Turkey is primarily Muslim...

I never knew that about the Thanksgiving bird. Gee, the knowledge on this board is amazing!