When someone says the word whisky (or whiskey in the U.S. or Ireland), it conjures images of rolling Scottish highlands. Or distilleries with traditions stretching back hundreds of years. But today, the world’s best-selling whiskies come from an unlikely source: India. The global alcohol industry is valued at around $1.8 trillion and is forecast to grow with a 9.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2025 and 2030.

The Indian and Chinese markets are largely responsible for this growth. These markets now have incredible demand for luxury and artisanal drinks. So it should be no surprise that eight of the 20 most popular whiskies globally are Indian.