Limited to 173 bespoke Jaipur Blue Pottery bottles, the Rs 5 lakh single malt celebrates mindful luxury and the revival of the Great Indian Bustard
Diageo India has unveiled Godawan 173: The Collector’s Edition, a landmark release in the Indian whisky category and the world’s first single malt finished in artisanal liqueur casks. Priced at Rs 5,00,000, only 173 bespoke bottles exist — each a masterpiece inspired by Jaipur Blue Pottery and a tribute to the conservation milestone of the Great Indian Bustard.
This rare expression commemorates the remarkable growth of the critically endangered bird’s population — from 100 in 2024 to 173 in 2025 — with each bottle symbolising a life reborn.
Crafted from Indian six-row barley and double-distilled in copper pot stills, Godawan 173 matures for over nine years across three unique casks: ex-bourbon American oak for sweetness, Oloroso and PX Sherry casks for depth, and finally, the pioneering Asha Liqueur Casks.
Originally crafted over a century ago by Thakur Karni Singh Ji of Mahanser, the Asha vats were seasoned with 42 ingredients — from fruits and spices to honey and botanicals — infusing the single malt with resinous warmth and indulgent complexity. The result is a deep mahogany-hued spirit, layered with aromas of figs, raisins, roasted nuts, and polished oak, unfolding on the palate with walnuts, dark chocolate, and Sherry undertones, before finishing long and resonant.
Luxury Meets Conservation
The first bottle of Godawan 173 was unveiled at London Fashion Week 2025 by Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor, who walked the red carpet in a custom Erdem gown adorned with motifs of the Great Indian Bustard. Alongside Diageo India, she pledged $50,000 towards the bird’s conservation.
“Godawan has always been about purpose and mindful luxury. The Collector’s Edition is a tribute to the 173 Great Indian Bustards and a milestone in our journey,” said Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer, Diageo India. “Inspired by Rajasthan’s heritage, crafted through an unprecedented triple-cask journey, and finished in heritage Asha liqueur casks, it is a rare whisky to cherish.”
Bespoke Craftsmanship
Each bottle is a unique piece of art created with Butterfly Cannon and Leela Bordia of Neerja International. Forged from quartz, salts, and natural glazes instead of clay, the Jaipur Blue Pottery vessels embody both the resilience of Rajasthan and the rarity of the whisky they encase. No two are the same, making each collector’s piece both timeless and irreplaceable.
Godawan 173: The Collector’s Edition will be available at Bangalore Duty Free and select premium outlets in London, including The Whisky Exchange.
