Drinks & Destinations

Drinks & Destinations India's leading beverage consulting firm. Follow this page for updates from the world of drinks. Curator of experiences, training sessions, tastings & events.

News, Views, Podcast, Stories from the world of Wine, Beer, Spirits & Travel.

15/05/2026

Started reading Toddy to Tequila by Sandhya Mulchandani… and it reminded me how alcohol books are rarely just about alcohol.

They’re about culture, history, obsession, travel, power, people and storytelling.

From India’s drinking history to wine-world scandals, American whiskey culture, manga-inspired wine drama and the botanical secrets behind cocktails — these are 5 books that work whether you’re a complete novice or deeply immersed in the drinks world.

Save this for your summer reading list 🍷📚

And share it with someone who loves good stories and great drinks.

**ktailCulture

[ Toddy ToTequila, Drinks Culture, Wine Lovers , Whisky Lovers, Book Recommendations, Summer Reads, Wine Education, Spirits Industry, C**ktail Enthusiast, Drinks And Destinations, Bourbon , Wine Culture, Books To Read, Food And Drink, Alcohol History]

09/05/2026

We had covered the launch of Chandon India winery in Nashik 12 years ago.

The scale, the ambition, the confidence behind it—it felt like Indian wine was entering a completely new phase.

Today, that story has quietly come to an end.

Sula Vineyards has acquired the estate.
But not the Chandon name.

Which means: no more Chandon made in India.

And honestly, the full story says a lot about the realities of building wine culture in India. 🍾

What do you think really happened?

[ Indian wine industry, Chandon India, Sula Vineyards, Nashik wineries, Indian sparkling wine, Moët Hennessy India, wine business India, luxury wine brands India, Chandon winery Nashik, Indian vineyards, sparkling wine India, Indian alcohol industry, wine culture India, Nashik wine tourism, Sula acquisition, Indian wine market, premium wine India, wine storytelling, alcobev India, wine reels India]

24/04/2026

This Isn’t Tequila… But It Might Surprise You.

Only 1320 bottles exist, and each one carries a story that began long before agave became part of India’s mainstream spirits conversation.

Desmondji, manufactured by Agave India and founded by Desmond Nazareth, represents one of the earliest efforts to create an Indian agave spirit using Agave Americana grown across the Deccan Plateau.

Dakshina, the newest oak-aged expression, is crafted from mature piñas, distilled in small batches using pot stills, and aged for over a year in ex-bourbon and ex-single malt casks.

I first tasted this 100% Indian agave spirit in Mexico in 2016, in the city of Tequila, where I presented it to a bar full of international tasters.

The response was not about comparison, but about recognising a distinct identity.

This aged expression - Dakshina is best enjoyed as a sipping spirit, either neat or on ice, where its balance, structure, and layered complexity can be fully appreciated.

Save this for your next tasting.


[Agave spirit, tequila comparison, Mexico tasting, Desmondji Dakshina, Indian agave, tequila alternative]

There are distillery visits… and then there are moments that reshape how you understand whisky.At Kavalan Distillery , ...
23/04/2026

There are distillery visits… and then there are moments that reshape how you understand whisky.

At Kavalan Distillery , just outside Taipei city, 🇹🇼 we experienced both. From witnessing barrels being charred—where fire quite literally builds flavour—to stepping into the blending room to create our own Kavalan whisky, every moment was immersive and precise.

For a drinks specialist, this is sacred ground.

Surrounded by an orchestra of casks—ex-bourbon, sherry, wine—each expressing a distinct personality shaped by Taiwan’s climate, we were invited to do what few ever experience firsthand: create our own blend of Kavalan whisky.

This wasn’t a novelty. It was discipline.

You begin with curiosity. A sip here, a note there. Then decisions sharpen—how much structure from the bourbon cask, how much opulence from the sherry, where to let tropical fruit lead, where to rein it in.

Every drop carries consequence. Every adjustment defines the final narrative.
Blending, in that moment, reveals itself not just as technique—but as authorship.

This is exactly the kind of experience that defines what we do at Drinks & Destinations—going beyond surface-level appreciation to uncover the layers of craft, environment, and intent that shape a spirit.

Kavalan isn’t just a distillery visit; it’s an immersive masterclass in modern whisky-making, where you engage directly with cask influence, climate-driven maturation, and the art of composition.


11/04/2026

The Glenwalk new range isn’t just a launch…it’s an arrival.

A premium whisky collection that brings together power, personality, and precision—crafted for those who like their pours with presence.

From the 48% ABV Dominance Reserve Collection—bold, structured, and built to stand apart—to the 43% expressions that deliver nuance, smoke, and layered complexity, The Glenwalk range now offers a complete spectrum of modern Indian whisky.

Co-owned by Sanjay Dutt and Moksh Sani, this is where celebrity meets serious whisky craft—and the result is unapologetically powerful.

Now available across select premium outlets in Maharashtra, including Living Liquidz.

The Glenwalk. Legacy isn’t inherited—it’s poured.

[ New premium whisky, New launch, Product Review, Drinks and Destinations, spirits to watch closely, The Glenwalk whisky, Sanjay Dutt, Mokksh Sani, Living Liquidz ]

02/04/2026

India’s craft beer movement is quietly shifting—and this time, it’s coming from Bhubaneswar.

At a beachside location in Gopalpur, Odisha we tasted something that goes beyond just another tap list.

Saami Brews & Cafe's Koraput Rice Lager uses indigenous, GI-tagged rice from Odisha—bringing a subtle earthy character to an otherwise clean, crisp lager format. It’s familiar, but with a strong sense of place.

We also tried their Belgian Wit—light, citrusy, and easy-drinking—showing a balanced approach between global styles and local storytelling.

What stands out here is not complexity, but intent.

This is craft beer designed for approachability, regional identity, and repeat drinking—a space more Indian breweries should be exploring.

📍 If you’re in Bhubaneswar, this is worth a stop—not just for the beer, but for what it represents: a new wave of hyper-local craft brewing in India.

👉 Follow for more such discoveries across India and beyond
👉 Tag someone you’d explore this with
👉 DM us for more hidden finds across India.

P.S: Did you know that Koraput Kalajeera rice is a GI-tagged aromatic indigenous rice from Odisha? It's cultivated by tribal communities for generations and known for its aroma, small grain size and cultural significance (used in temple offerings) This is not just an adjunct—it’s a heritage ingredient with provenance value.

[CraftBeerIndia, SupportLocalBreweries, KoraputRice, BeerWithATwist, IndiaEats, NewInBeer]

C**ktails, skyline, and serious wow factor.Our latest feature takes you inside Sora Bar at Rosewood Phnom Penh—one of th...
20/03/2026

C**ktails, skyline, and serious wow factor.

Our latest feature takes you inside Sora Bar at Rosewood Phnom Penh—one of the most talked-about rooftop bars in Cambodia for elevated drinks, chic vibes, and unbeatable views.

Want the full article? DM us or tap the link in bio.

The Mumbai Regional Round of the Quaffine Espresso Martini Challenge 2026 recently took over Mumbai, bringing together ...
11/03/2026

The Mumbai Regional Round of the Quaffine Espresso Martini Challenge 2026 recently took over Mumbai, bringing together some of the region’s most talented bartenders to reimagine the modern classic — the Espresso Martini.

With creativity behind the bar and coffee at the centre of the glass, contestants were judged on balance, precision, storytelling and presentation, showcasing their own distinctive take on the iconic cocktail.

From bold flavour combinations to elegant presentation, the afternoon highlighted the evolving craft of India’s bartending community.

Nim from emerged as the Mumbai regional winner, securing a place in the Grand Finale in Goa on 15 March, where the country’s best bartenders will compete for the national title.

If you’re in Goa, follow for updates and a chance to witness some of India’s finest bartending talent in action.

Jury – Mumbai Regional Round






👇 Tell us in the comments — how do you like your Espresso Martini?

[ Quaffine Espresso Martini Challenge 2026, Mumbai cocktail competition, Espresso Martini India, Quaffine coffee liqueur, Permit & Co Mumbai event, Indian bartenders competition, mixology competitions India, coffee cocktail culture India ]

06/03/2026

India's whisky story enters a new era.
From the century old cellars in Dahanu, Maharashtra to the world.

Madhuca I, II & III by South Seas Distilleries redefine Indian single malt with the world’s first Mahura cask finish whiskies.

Heritage. Innovation. C**ktails — all in one pour.

[Indian single malt whisky, Mahura cask finish, South Seas Distilleries, Crazy C**k single malt, Madhuca whisky, Maharashtra whisky, Indian whisky heritage, C**ktail forward whisky, Indian spirits 2026]

If provenance had a postcode in Southeast Asia, it might just be Phnom Penh 🇰🇭Sunsets at Sora, perched atop Rosewood Phn...
13/02/2026

If provenance had a postcode in Southeast Asia, it might just be Phnom Penh 🇰🇭

Sunsets at Sora, perched atop Rosewood Phnom Penh, feel almost ceremonial — skyline washed in gold, glasses meeting in quiet rhythm.

Dining at Pisa was a true sensorial experience — layered flavours, precision, and restraint. That deserves a post of its own.

One of my most compelling discoveries? How fair-trade Kampot pepper from La Plantation shapes the character of Samai Distillery’s Kampot Spiced Rum — proof that raw materials are no longer background notes, but the headline.

Meeting industry colleagues from across Asia made this FAM trip equally enriching. Brands like Seekers Spirits, Samai and Mawsim are amplifying origin with confidence and clarity.

Cambodia carries its heritage with dignity while moving forward with intention. Clean streets, conscious communities, quiet pride.

And Rosewood Phnom Penh? An experience that lingers long after checkout

One last thought - Is provenance becoming the new premium in Asia?

[Phnom Penh travel, Cambodia luxury hotel, Rosewood Phnom Penh, Sora rooftop bar, Kampot pepper, La Plantation Cambodia, Samai rum, Asian craft spirits, provenance in spirits, Southeast Asia hospitality]

11/02/2026

High above the city skyline, this is quiet luxury done right.

From the welcome drink ritual to the precision of the silverware and the stillness of the suite — every detail at Rosewood Phnom Penh reflects refined hospitality without excess.
Phnom Penh’s most elegant stay? We think so.



[Cambodia travel, Drinks & Destinations, Fam Trip, Luxury Travel Asia, Suite Life]

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