If you’ve ever believed that the world’s finest rums can only come from the Caribbean or Latin America, think again. On 27 November 2025, in London, something extraordinary happened: Camikara, India’s first pure cane-juice aged rum, walked onto the world stage and walked away with “Rum Brand of the Year” at The Spirits Business Awards 2025.
India’s Camikara Becomes “Rum Brand Of The Year”
The Spirits Business Awards is one of the most respected competitions in the global spirits industry. Brands from all over the world send in their best bottles, hoping to impress the judges.
This year, Camikara didn’t just impress, it stood out so clearly that it walked away with the highest honour for rum. It marks a huge shift in how the world sees Indian rum. Camikara is a world-class, upscale spirit that is worth talking about.
India has always had a natural affinity for rum because sugarcane is grown all over the country. Consequently, we have been making beverages made from cane for thousands of years. The Rigveda even mentions an ancient sugarcane-based drink called sidhu.
Rum was part of Indian drinking culture long before whisky took over after colonisation. So while whisky became the dominant choice in modern India, the country’s deep-rooted connection with cane spirits never went away. It simply waited for the right moment to return. And that moment is now.
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A New Era For Indian Rum Has Begun
In the last few years, rum in India has changed dramatically. Earlier, rum was mostly seen as a not-so-premium drink for the winter, best enjoyed mixed with cola. But today, everything is different. New distillers are creating rich, flavourful, and sophisticated rums that compete not just nationally but globally. And Camikara is leading this new wave with confidence.
India’s first pure cane-juice aged rum, Camikara, has a completely unique flavour profile. Rightly called “liquid gold,” it perfectly captures the richness of India. With no sugar, extra flavouring, or added caramel colour, it’s just real, honest rum, exactly as it should be. This commitment to purity and craftsmanship is what made global judges sit up and take notice.
Shalini Sharma, Head of Marketing at Piccadily Agro Industries, said, “This win is not just for Camikara. It’s a defining milestone for India. We’ve gone from being overlooked to leading the conversation.” And she’s absolutely right.
From being known mainly for whisky consumption to now producing award-winning rums, India’s spirits story is changing fast.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
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