Godawan 173 ‘first’ liqueur cask-finished Indian single malt
Diageo-owned Godawan has released the ‘world’s first’ Indian single malt finished in a liqueur cask while supporting the great Indian bustard bird.
The whisky was finished in Asha liqueur casks, originally crafted by Thakur Karni Singh Ji of Mahanser more than a century ago. The Sal wood casks were seasoned with 42 ingredients, including fresh fruits, spices, dry fruits, botanicals, honey and milk.
The single malt itself is made with Indian six-row barley and double-distilled in copper pot stills.
The liquid was matured for more than nine years in three different types of casks: American white oak casks, which previously held Bourbon; European oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks; and the Asha liqueur casks.
Godawan 173: The Collector’s Edition opens with aromas of ‘roasted nuts, figs, raisins, and polished oak’, with ‘walnuts, dark chocolate, and Sherry’ on the palate. Its finish ‘elevates the whisky into a new realm of complexity’.
Limited to just 173 bottles, each Godawan 173: The Collector’s Edition is priced at INR 5,00,000 (US$5,633).
Vikram Damodaran, chief innovation officer at Diageo India, said: “Godawan for us has always been about purpose and mindful luxury. The Collector’s Edition is a true celebration of a milestone in our journey and a tribute to the 173 great Indian bustards.
“We were clear that it had to be special, so we dug deep into the roots of Rajasthan. Jaipur blue pottery inspires the bottle, and the liquid inside is spectacular as we have finished the liquid in Asha liqueur casks, something no brand has done before.
“The combination of the triple cask, along with this heritage liqueur, makes the Collector’s Edition rare and something to cherish.”
Each bespoke bottle was created in collaboration with the creative studio Butterfly Cannon and Leela Bordia of Neerja International. The bottles are made from quartz, salts and natural glaze, ensuring no two bottles are the same.
To celebrate the launch, Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor unveiled the first bottle at The Savoy London during London Fashion Week 2025. She wore a custom Erdem gown, adorned with motifs of the bird to match the Godawan 173 bottle.
The expression pays tribute to the ‘extraordinary’ recovery of the great Indian bustard population, which has increased from 100 last year to 173 today. At the event, Kapoor and Diageo India donated US$50,000 to the bird’s conservation.
The launch marks a continuation of Godawan’s support of the Great Indian Bustard, which inspired the brand’s name. In 2022, the brand released Godawan 100 to mark the 100 surviving birds.
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