BENGALURU: Premium spirits are growing several times faster than cheaper liquor in India, with higher-priced products gaining a larger share of sales, according to a report by industry body International Spirits and Wines Association of India (ISWAI).Sales volumes in the premium segment grew at a compound annual rate of 10.2% between 2022 and 2025. That compares with 1.1% for the report’s lowest-priced category and 1.4% for regular spirits. Overall spirits volumes grew 3.7% annually over the same period. Super-premium Indian-made spirits grew even faster, at about 34% annually. However, this segment remains small, accounting for less than 1% of total spirits volumes in the report’s 2025 estimates.Cheaper products continue to account for a substantial part of the market. The lowest-priced and regular categories together made up nearly half of spirits sales volumes in 2025. Their slower growth nevertheless points to a change in the mix of products being sold.
“Rising incomes, evolving consumer aspirations, and greater availability of premium products are reshaping the market mix,” the report said.It also linked the shift to changes in liquor retailing. Stores offering wider selections, better product displays and space for customers to browse are encouraging shoppers to explore brands and spend more, according to the report.Indian malt whiskies were among the faster-growing categories. Their volumes expanded at about 39% annually between 2022 and 2025, compared with about 5% for Scotch malts, the report estimated. It said Indian malts overtook Scotch malts in sales volumes in 2024.Imported spirits also grew faster than the broader spirits market, although their share remained modest. Their volumes rose about 8% annually over the three years, taking their market share from 2.4% to 2.7%. ISWAI estimated India’s alcoholic beverages market at about Rs 6.2 lakh crore ($71 billion).