To get the hologram, the entire process, from mashing and distillation to maturation and bottling, must take place within India, with no external flavouring agents permitted
The Indian Malt Whisky Association (IMWA) has rolled out a certification trademark (hologram) for Indian single malt whiskies, marking a step towards standardising authenticity and quality in a rapidly expanding category.
The initiative establishes a formal, industry-led framework to define and certify genuine Indian single malts amid growing global recognition and increasing domestic demand. The certification trademark will function as a secure hologram affixed to qualifying products, offering a visible assurance of authenticity, IWMA said.
“As the Indian single malt category scales both domestically and globally, the need for a credible, industry-owned validation mechanism becomes critical. The certification mark is not just about compliance but about establishing a shared baseline of authenticity and process integrity,” said Major General Rajesh Chopra, AVSM (retired), Director General, IMWA.
IMWA added that it will be granted exclusively to manufacturers that comply with its defined production standards. To qualify, manufacturers must adhere to strict criteria that define Indian single malt whisky, the association noted.
These include the use of 100 per cent malted barley with no molasses or neutral spirits, production at a single distillery in India, distillation in copper pot stills and maturation for a minimum of three years in oak casks not exceeding 700 litre.
The entire process, from mashing and distillation to maturation and bottling, must take place within India, with no external flavouring agents permitted, IWMA pointed out. The association highlighted that the introduction of the certification is expected to address longstanding concerns around product authenticity, providing consumers with a reliable identifier in a market where definitions have often remained ambiguous.
