Indian Spirit Makes Global History: Camikara Crowned World's Best Rum
In a landmark achievement for the Indian spirits industry, Camikara has been declared the 'Rum Brand of the Year' at The Spirits Business Awards 2025 in London. The prestigious award, announced on 2nd December 2025, marks the first time an Indian rum has ever claimed this top global honour, surpassing legendary brands from traditional rum-producing regions like the Caribbean and Latin America.
Reclaiming a Legacy: From Ancient Sidhu to Modern Triumph
This victory is not an overnight success but the culmination of India's millennia-old relationship with sugarcane. Long before whisky became popular post-colonization, India was fundamentally a rum-drinking nation. With sugarcane growing abundantly across the country, ancient texts like the Rigveda reference sidhu, an early fermented sugarcane drink, showcasing India's deep historical roots in cane spirits.
Colonial influences shifted preferences, but the foundation remained. In recent years, a new generation of Indian distillers has begun embracing this rich heritage. By focusing on pure cane-juice and local terroir, they are crafting rums that compete on the world stage, moving the category beyond its mass-market image.
Camikara: The 'Liquid Gold' Redefining Premium Indian Rum
At the forefront of this revolution is Camikara, crafted by Piccadily Distilleries. Its name, derived from Sanskrit for 'liquid gold,' is fitting. It is India’s first pure cane-juice aged rum, made without any added colour, flavour, or sugar. The process involves distilling fresh sugarcane juice and aging it in American oak barrels under the intense North Indian climate, which imparts unique depth and complexity.
Available in 3-year, 8-year, and 12-year expressions, Camikara has positioned itself as a 'bartender-first brand' and a premium sipping rum. The award judges hailed it as a 'pioneer in its category' for putting Indian rum-making firmly on the global map.
A Defining Milestone for India's Spirits Industry
Shalini Sharma, Head of Marketing at Piccadily Agro Industries Limited, emphasized the award's significance. "This remarkable international win is more than an accolade—it is a defining milestone for India’s rum category," she said. "We've gone from being overlooked to leading the conversation."
The Spirits Business Awards are among the most respected global recognitions in the industry. Camikara's win against fierce competition from established rum regions serves as the ultimate international endorsement of its quality and craftsmanship.
This triumph signals a seismic shift, positioning India as a formidable, rising force in the world of premium aged spirits. It proves that by championing indigenous ingredients and traditional knowledge, Indian brands can not only participate but lead on the world stage.
About Piccadily Agro Industries Limited:
Stock Ticker: BSE (PICCADIL | 530305 | INE546C01010), NSE (PICCADIL | INE546C01010).
