kadamba & wood burns whisky review (2026) — two new indian whiskies making noise

tldr: i haven’t tried either of these personally, but kadamba and wood burns represent the new wave of indian whiskies coming out of goa. kadamba is a proper single malt at rs 2000-3500 with sherry cask richness and unexpected smokiness. it’s already winning international awards. wood burns is a contemporary blend at rs 3000-4500 with a distinctive charred-barrel smokiness. kadamba is the better value pick. wood burns is the more interesting tasting experience for smoke lovers. neither beats amrut or indri yet, but both show serious effort. kadamba: 7/10. wood burns: 6.5/10 (based on expert reviews).

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full disclosure: i have not personally tried kadamba or wood burns. this review is research-backed, drawn from expert reviews, tasting videos, and international award records. i’ll be transparent about what’s expert opinion versus my analysis throughout.

indian whisky is having a moment. every few months, a new brand launches claiming to be the next big thing. most of them are forgettable. but kadamba and wood burns are two names that keep coming up in conversations about brands that actually deserve attention.

both are distilled in goa, both are relatively new, and both have racked up international awards faster than you’d expect. but they’re very different whiskies with very different approaches. kadamba is a proper single malt going the traditional sherry-cask route with a twist of peat. wood burns is a contemporary blend leaning hard into smoke and char.

i’m reviewing them together because they represent the same phenomenon: goan distilleries moving beyond rum and into the whisky game. let’s see if they’re the real deal.

this review is part of liquor india, where i review every major alcohol brand available in india. no sponsors, no affiliate links.

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kadamba & wood burns at a glance

detail	kadamba	wood burns
type	indian single malt	contemporary indian whisky (blend)
ABV	~46%	43%
maker	cheers group (imperial distillers)	fullarton distilleries
distillery	goa	candepar, goa
cask	ex-bourbon + ex-sherry + virgin oak	charred barrels
price (750ml)	rs 2000-3500	rs 3000-4500
style	fruity, smoky, sherry-forward	smoky, spiced, bold
awards	gold at SIP awards, best indian single malt at icons of whisky	3 silver + 1 gold at international competitions
best for	neat sipping, old fashioned	neat, whisky sour
rating	7/10	6.5/10

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kadamba single malt: the budget single malt contender

the story

kadamba takes its name from the kadamba dynasty, which ruled parts of india between the 10th and 14th centuries, a period of significant prosperity and coin-minting in indian history. the brand is positioned as a tribute to that era of indian excellence.

made by cheers group at imperial distillers in goa, kadamba is a triple-cask matured single malt. it goes through ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and virgin oak barrels. what sets it apart from other indian single malts is that it’s gently peated, which is unusual for indian whisky production. the goan climate and what the brand calls a “humidity aging process” add their own character to the final product.

at rs 2000-2200 in goa, kadamba is significantly cheaper than most indian single malts. amrut fusion costs rs 3500-5000. indri is in a similar bracket. if kadamba delivers even 80% of the quality at half the price, that’s a compelling proposition.

tasting notes (from reviews)

nose: reviewers describe a smoky, spicy opening with dried fruit underneath. the sherry cask influence brings raisins and prunes. the peat is present but subtle, more like smoldering wood than the medicinal peat of an islay scotch.

palate: the smokiness carries from nose to palate. there’s a spiciness that reviewers find interesting, with the sherry cask contributing fruitiness that balances the smoke. one reviewer noted it had the profile of something that should cost considerably more. the triple-cask maturation gives it layers that you don’t expect at this price point.

finish: warm and lingering. the smoke fades gradually, leaving dried fruit and spice. not the longest finish among indian single malts, but respectable for the price.

the honest take on kadamba

at rs 2000-2200 in goa, kadamba is one of the cheapest genuine single malts available in india. that price alone makes it worth trying. the international awards (gold at SIP awards, best indian single malt at icons of whisky) add credibility, though award results should always be taken with some skepticism.

the gentle peat is what makes kadamba interesting. most indian single malts avoid peat entirely or go light. kadamba leans into it just enough to be distinctive without alienating drinkers who aren’t used to smoke. it’s a smart middle ground.

the weakness, from what i can gather, is distribution. kadamba is primarily a goa story right now. if you’re not in goa or don’t have access to stores that import goan spirits, finding a bottle takes effort.

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wood burns: the smoky outsider

the story

wood burns comes from fullarton distilleries in candepar, goa. the same people behind segredo rum, which has a well-regarded coffee rum that reviewers have praised. fullarton started operations in 2019 and has been steadily building a reputation for quality goan spirits.

wood burns is not labeled as a single malt. it’s a “contemporary indian whisky,” which in practice means it’s a blend. but it’s positioned in the premium segment, priced higher than kadamba despite not carrying the single malt distinction. the justification is the production process: heavily charred barrels that create a pronounced smoky character.

the name itself hints at the approach. wood burns. the barrels are charred, the whisky picks up smoke. it’s not peat smoke like you’d get from an islay scotch or kadamba’s gentle peat. it’s a different kind of smoke, more campfire and less bog.

tasting notes (from reviews)

nose: the peat-like character hits immediately on the nose. reviewers describe it as “very strange peat” because it’s not from peated barley but from the barrel char. there’s a smokiness that’s distinctly different from what you’d find in an amrut peated or a laphroaig. some warm spice underneath.

palate: the smokiness is the defining feature. there’s spiciness and warmth throughout, with the charred barrel contributing a woody, campfire quality. reviewers find it “interesting” and “different” rather than universally delicious. it’s a polarizing whisky. you’ll either appreciate the bold smoke or find it one-dimensional.

finish: spiced and warm. the smoke lingers. there’s some sweetness that emerges at the end, providing balance to what is otherwise a smoke-forward experience.

the honest take on wood burns

wood burns is harder to recommend than kadamba. at rs 3000-3300 in goa (and higher elsewhere), it’s priced in territory where it competes with genuine single malts, but it isn’t one. the smoke character is its selling point, and if you’re a smoke lover, it’s worth trying.

the international awards (three silvers and a gold) are legitimate. but the whisky world has a lot of silver medals floating around, and a silver at a london or new york competition doesn’t automatically mean a whisky is worth its price.

where wood burns genuinely stands out is as a mixer. the bold smoke profile works well in cocktails, particularly a smoky old fashioned or a whisky sour where the char character adds dimension. as a neat sipper, it’s more acquired taste.

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how to drink kadamba and wood burns

kadamba

neat is the way to start. pour 30-45ml and let it breathe. the triple-cask complexity opens up over a few minutes. the sherry sweetness and gentle peat find their balance.

with a splash of water to open up the fruitiness from the sherry cask. the smoke softens and the dried fruit character becomes more prominent.

old fashioned works naturally with kadamba’s sherry sweetness. the sugar in an old fashioned complements the raisin and prune notes from the cask.

wood burns

neat to appreciate the unique smoke character. this is a whisky where you want to nose it first and let the unusual smoke profile register before sipping.

whisky sour is where wood burns might actually shine brightest. the lemon juice and sugar balance the bold smokiness, and the result is a more rounded drink than you’d get sipping neat.

in a smoky old fashioned with a dash of maple syrup instead of sugar. the charred barrel character complements dark, sweet flavors particularly well.

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kadamba and wood burns price in india (2026)

both whiskies are primarily available in goa. pricing elsewhere depends on distribution and state excise duties.

kadamba price by state

state	kadamba 750ml price
goa	rs 2000-2200
maharashtra	rs 2800-3500
delhi	rs 2500-3000
karnataka	rs 2800-3500
hyderabad	rs 3000-3500

wood burns price by state

state	wood burns 750ml price
goa	rs 3000-3300
maharashtra	rs 3500-4500
karnataka	rs 3500-4500
delhi	rs 3500-4000

prices are approximate. both brands are still expanding distribution, so availability varies significantly. check local stores.

pro tip: if you’re visiting goa, pick up both at goan prices. goa’s low excise taxes mean you’ll pay 30-40% less than in mumbai or delhi.

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kadamba and wood burns vs the competition

kadamba vs amrut fusion: amrut fusion at rs 3500-5000 is the established champion. kadamba at rs 2000-3500 is the scrappy newcomer. for pure quality, amrut still wins on complexity and finish. but kadamba at half the price is a better value proposition if you’re exploring indian single malts on a budget.

kadamba vs indri: indri is smoother and more approachable with its three-wood maturation. kadamba has more edge from the peat. indri wins on distribution and consistency. kadamba wins on price and if you like a smokier profile.

wood burns vs rampur select: rampur select at a similar price point is a more polished, traditional single malt. wood burns is more experimental with its char-forward profile. rampur for reliability, wood burns for adventure.

kadamba vs wood burns (head to head): kadamba is the better whisky. it’s a genuine single malt at a lower price with more awards and more complexity. wood burns is interesting but harder to justify at its price point. if you’re picking one, pick kadamba.

for the full lineup, see my best single malt whisky in india guide and the best whisky under 5000 guide.

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the bigger picture: goa’s whisky revolution

both kadamba and wood burns being goan is not a coincidence. goa has quietly become india’s craft spirits hub. low excise taxes make production and pricing favorable. the coastal climate creates interesting maturation conditions. and there’s a culture of alcohol appreciation in goa that doesn’t exist in many other indian states.

paul john was the first major goan whisky to go international. now kadamba, wood burns, and others are following. the same infrastructure that makes goa great for rum (segredo, cabo) is being applied to whisky. it’s early days, but goa might become to indian whisky what bangalore is to indian beer.

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verdict

kadamba: 7/10

kadamba is a genuine surprise. a proper single malt at rs 2000-2200 in goa that’s winning international gold medals. the gentle peat, sherry cask richness, and triple-cask complexity punch above the price point. distribution is the main weakness. if you can find it, buy it.

wood burns: 6.5/10

wood burns is interesting more than it is excellent. the charred barrel smoke is distinctive but doesn’t fully compensate for the fact that this is a blend priced near single malt territory. works better in cocktails than neat. worth trying if you’re in goa, but not worth a special trip.

the bottom line: kadamba is the one to watch. at its price point, it’s among the most affordable genuine single malts in india and it tastes like the people behind it actually care about whisky. wood burns is a decent complementary experience but not essential.

if you liked this review, also check: amrut fusion review, paul john review, best single malt whisky in india, or best whisky under 5000.

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kadamba and wood burns review: frequently asked questions

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drink responsibly. must be of legal drinking age in your state.