Entries are now open for the first India Global Spirits Awards (IGSA), an international spirits competition for India. International experts and Indian trade buyers will judge the entries in Delhi on 23–24 July 2027.
23 September 2026, New Delhi, India – The India Global Spirits Awards (IGSA) has launched its inaugural edition. It is also the first international spirits competition built specifically for India’s market. Registration opened on 18 September 2026. As a result, producers of whisky, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, mezcal and other agave spirits, baijiu, liqueurs and ready-to-drink (RTD) products can Enter the 2027 competition now.
IGSA connects global spirits producers with India, one of the world’s fastest-growing spirits markets. Moreover, premiumisation, a changing cocktail culture and new trade agreements are opening the door to imported spirits. For example, the UK–India trade agreement halved India’s import tariff on Scotch whisky from 150% to 75% in July 2026. Therefore, international brands need a trusted way to show their quality to the buyers who choose what India’s bars and shops list, buy and pour.
A spirits competition judged by India’s trade
An international panel blind-tastes every entry alongside leading India-focused trade experts. The panel includes importers, distributors, master blenders, mixologists and bar directors. In addition, these judges make real listing and purchasing decisions every day. Judges score each spirit on quality, finesse and commercial appeal.
The IGSA judging panel includes Master Judge Tobias Gorn and Dr. Kuldeep Agrawal, Head of Liquid Development and Chief of Blending at Diageo India. It also includes Major General (Dr) Rajesh Chopra, Director General of the Indian Malt Whisky Association, and Sanjay Ghosh (Dada Bartender), Founder of Cocktails India.
Medals and India’s Choice Award
Outstanding spirits will receive Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. In addition, Indian trade buyers select the winners of the India’s Choice Award. Specifically, this award recognises spirits with exceptional quality and strong potential with Indian consumers. IGSA may also introduce India’s Choice winners to selected Indian importers and trade professionals.
All winners receive:
- Official IGSA medal artwork and certificates, royalty-free, for use on bottles, packaging and marketing
- A listing in the official IGSA Winners Directory
- Promotion in the IGSA Trade Newsletter, which reaches importers, distributors, buyers and bartenders
How to enter IGSA 2027
Producers entering by the early submission deadline of 27 November 2026 benefit from a preferential fee of $225 per SKU. All entries are submitted online. In addition, the IGSA 2027 event information page sets out the complete entry requirements, including the category structure and sample shipping protocols.
About the India Global Spirits Awards
The India Global Spirits Awards (IGSA) is an international spirits competition judged for India. International experts and Indian trade professionals blind-taste spirits from around the world. As a result, the competition helps producers build credibility and visibility with importers, distributors and consumers in India and beyond. Judging for the inaugural 2027 edition takes place in Delhi on 23–24 July 2027.
Media contact
India Global Spirits Awards
marketing@indiaglobalspiritsawards.com
www.indiaglobalspiritsawards.com