The start of 2026 brings fresh plans, fuller calendars, and more time spent in transit. Between departures and arrivals, duty-free shopping offers the perfect opportunity for a small yet satisfying upgrade,
premium spirits that feel considered, collectible, and genuinely worth the suitcase space. From bottles that elevate a home bar to finds that steer clear of the obvious, these are the duty-free spirits to watch in 2026.
Chivas Regal Crystalgold
Chivas Regal introduces Crystalgold, a groundbreaking clear whisky that reimagines what modern Scotch can be. Crafted from a bespoke blend and refined through an innovative filtration process, Crystalgold achieves remarkable smoothness and visual transparency while retaining the depth, balance, and craftsmanship synonymous with Chivas Regal.
Blurring the line between a clear spirit and a traditionally aged whisky, it is versatile and elegant, designed for contemporary celebrations, whether sipped neat, served over ice, or mixed into refined cocktails.
Available at: Duty-free Mumbai and Delhi
Price (1L): USD 79
IDAAYA
The multi-award-winning Himalayan sipping rum IDAAYA, from India’s artisanal spirits house Those Good Distillerss, is rooted in ancient Indian wisdom and inspired by the mystique of the Himalayas. Blended by Master Blender Chris Armes, IDAAYA draws its distinctive character from a combination of 12-year-old bourbon cask–aged rum and pure Indian rum, brought together using a Solera system in Sal wood casks.
Unhurriedly crafted in small batches, IDAAYA reflects mindful precision and authenticity. Designed for those who “Keep Seeking,” this dark sipping rum invites reflection, curiosity, and a sense of adventure with every pour. Its bottle design mirrors mountainous terrain and is crowned with a compass, an ode to journeys, discovery, and the unknown.
Tasting Notes
• Appearance: Deep amber with pronounced viscosity
• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, and spice with undertones of toasted oak, raisins, and plum
• Palate: Layers of caramel, dark chocolate, and toffee, followed by nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, and toasted vanilla
• Finish: Long and complex, with lingering ripe fruits, vanilla, and oak
Price: Approx. INR 7,000 (750ml)
The Glenlivet 21 Year Old
The Glenlivet 21-Year-Old is a whisky of exceptional depth and elegance, crafted using a distinctive triple-cask maturation process. Aged in first-fill Oloroso Sherry, Troncais Cognac, and Colheita Vintage Port casks, each layer contributes a unique dimension, Oloroso adds rich sweetness and dried fruit notes, Cognac imparts warming spice and nutmeg, while Port lends a velvety texture with hints of dark chocolate and juicy sultanas.
Tasting Notes
• Palate: Caramelised fruits, sultanas, and warming spice
• Finish: Long, rich, with spiced oak and lingering warmth
• Pair With: Brie, green olive tapenade, roasted almonds
Availability: Select premium liquor retailers
Jameson Black Barrel
When Jameson’s signature triple-distilled smoothness meets the bold character of double-charred barrels, the result is Jameson Black Barrel. This expression delivers deeper toasted flavours with rich layers of spice, sweetness, and warmth.
Crafted with a higher proportion of single pot still whiskey and bottled at a higher strength than the original, Black Barrel stands apart for its intensity and balance.
Tasting Notes
• Nose: Toffee, fudge, creamy butterscotch, and gentle spice
• Taste: Rounded nutty notes, vanilla sweetness, and warming spice
• Finish: Long and resonant, with lingering toasted oak and vanilla
Price:
• Mumbai: INR 3,750 (750ml)
• Bengaluru: INR 5,690 (750ml)
Monkey 47
Handcrafted in Germany’s Black Forest, Monkey 47 is a premium gin celebrated for its intricate blend of 47 botanicals, including locally foraged spruce tips and lingonberries. Botanicals are macerated in a wheat or molasses-based spirit, gently distilled in small batches, and rested for 100 days in traditional earthenware vessels—resulting in its signature depth and complexity.
The apothecary-style bottle and layered flavour profile make Monkey 47 a refined and memorable gifting choice.
Tasting Notes
• Nose: Citrus zest, ripe berries, and fresh herbs
• Palate: Juniper-led with citrus, spice, florals, lavender, rosemary, and angelica root
• Finish: Long, balanced, with elegant minerality
Price: INR 3,000 (500ml)
Beefeater London Dry Gin
Beefeater is the only international premium gin still produced in the heart of London—and remains the world’s most awarded gin. Crafted to James Burrough’s original 1863 recipe, it uses a unique 24-hour steeping process for its nine botanicals, ensuring depth and balance.
With over 200 years of distilling heritage and a modern, energetic profile, Beefeater is a reliable classic for both gifting and cocktail-making.
Tasting Notes
• Nose: Robust juniper with citrus and subtle earthy spice
• Palate: Crisp and balanced with juniper, citrus zest, coriander, and angelica root
• Finish: Clean, smooth, with lingering juniper and soft peppery warmth
Price (750ml):
• Gurgaon: INR 2,500
• Mumbai: INR 2,800
Lillet — Light, Elegant, and Effortlessly Chic
Lillet is a classic French aperitif crafted from fine wines and fruit infusions, reflecting the understated elegance of Bordeaux. Delicate yet complex, it can be enjoyed neat, over ice with a garnish, or as the base for refreshing cocktails.
Timeless and versatile, Lillet brings effortless sophistication to any occasion—making it an easy, stylish duty-free pick.
