Indri, the Indian single malt whisky that has been turning heads around the world, has released the 2026 edition of its Diwali Collector’s Edition. This year’s bottling is called the Ruby Port Cask, and it is the fourth release in a limited annual series built around the Indian festival of lights. The announcement came out of New Delhi on October 13, 2026.
A Limited Run With a Short Count
Only 540 individually numbered bottles are set aside for the United States. The release date there is October 15, 2026, and the suggested retail price is listed at $250. Collectors tend to care about numbers like that, and 540 is not a lot for a whole country.
Image credit: Indri
The series has always been a small, once-a-year affair. Each edition celebrates Diwali, which the brand describes as a symbol of light, culture and joy. Each one also leans on India’s royal heritage for its look and feel.
Where It Is Made
The whisky is produced in the village of Indri in Haryana, a state in northern India. The village sits near the foothills of the Himalayas. The collection is made in small batches from indigenous six-row Indian barley.
Indri Master Blender Surrinder Kumar created the collection. The spirit is distilled in traditional copper pot stills, the same style of equipment long used for single malt around the world.
A Different Climate From Southern India
The whisky ages in Indri’s subtropical climate, where the summers are hot and the winters are cool. According to the release, those swings in temperature shape a rich and distinctive spirit. They also set it apart from whisky made at distilleries in India’s tropical south, where the weather is different.
What Makes the 2026 Edition Different
The big story this year is the cask. The 2026 whisky is matured in hand-selected ruby port casks from Portugal. These casks held wines that are prized for being rich, characterful and sweet. Ruby port is the style of fortified wine that gave this edition its name.
The whisky is bottled at cask strength, which is 58.5% ABV. That means it has not been watered down to a lower strength before bottling.
Kumar explained what the cask brings to the glass. “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 recognized in international awards,”says Surrinder Kumar, Master Blender, Indri. “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. The 2026 release brings together whisky and artistry in a collector’s masterpiece celebrating heritage, craftsmanship and the spirit of modern India.”
Tasting Notes
The brand has shared detailed notes on how the whisky smells, tastes and finishes. They are laid out below in three parts.
On the Nose
The aroma opens with fresh black and red fruits. Black cherries, blackberries and ripe plums lead the way. Underneath those, layers of raisins, figs and dried fruits start to show up. Notes of toffee and vanilla round things out and add a rich, lingering sweetness.
On the Palate
The first taste is a burst of fruit and honey. From there, the whisky moves into dried fruits, almonds and hazelnuts. Cinnamon, sweet spice and oak lactones add depth and complexity. Figs and liquorice come through gracefully near the end, creating what the brand calls a beautifully layered experience.
The Finish
The finish is full-bodied and velvety. It has a rounded sweetness along with a firm structure. Gentle oak lactones hang around next to the rich, full notes. The whole thing ends long, smooth and elegant.
Art Inspired by Royal India
The look of the bottle is a big part of this series, and the 2026 package is no exception. The artwork was created by Indian designer Krsnaa Mehta. She drew on India’s royal heritage and on traditional miniature paintings to build a visual story. The palette is full of jewel tones, delicate florals and bold contrasts, all meant to show the celebratory spirit of Diwali.
The Marwari Horse and Its Foal
At the center of the design is a Marwari horse, which stands as a symbol of royal heritage. A foal moves right beside it, and the two travel in graceful unison. Together they show nobility, legacy and continuity. The brand says that idea mirrors the layered character of the whisky itself.
Big Stories in Small Frames
Miniature art has a long storytelling tradition, in which the grandest stories unfold inside the smallest frames. The design follows that idea. Every motif and detail on the package was chosen on purpose.
A Record of Awards
The Diwali Collector’s Edition first launched in 2023. Since then, it has won 29 awards across the globe. A few of them stand out.
The 2023 edition, which was a Peated PX Sherry Cask release, took Best in Show Double Gold at the Whiskies of the World Awards 2023. The 2025 edition, a Marsala Cask release, was named Best World Whisky at the Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards 2025. It earned a score of 99.1 points out of 100 there. That same 2025 bottle also picked up a Gold medal at The Design & Packaging Masters 2025 for its presentation.
The 2026 Edition Is Already Collecting Medals
The new Ruby Port Cask edition has not had to wait long for recognition. It has received six awards so far. Those include Gold at the World Whisky Masters and Gold at the New York World Spirits Competition.
About Indri
Indri Single Malt Whisky launched in 2022 and is crafted by Piccadily. According to the company, it has become the fastest-growing single malt in the world. It has earned more than 40 accolades, including “Best Indian Single Malt” and “Best Whisky in The World.”
The whisky is made in the small village of Indri in Haryana. It uses premium six-row Indian barley that comes from Rajasthan. The brand points out that the Indian whisky market was once dominated by imported labels, and it sees Indri as a symbol of national pride that has raised the standing of Indian spirits.
Piccadily says it plans to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons for whisky enthusiasts around the world. More information about the brand can be found at https://www.indri.in/.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 Diwali Collector’s Edition Ruby Port Cask brings together Portuguese wine casks, northern Indian barley and a climate that shapes the whisky in its own way. It comes in a numbered, limited run of 540 bottles for the U.S., wrapped in artwork that draws on India’s royal past. With 29 awards already behind the series and six more for this edition, the fourth chapter of the Diwali collection is off to a strong start.
