After the successful launch of Godawan in Jaipur, Diageo India introduced Rajasthani tradition and culture to the world with the unveiling of this outstanding single malt whiskey across international markets.
Right after introducing the concept of Godawan’s purposeful luxury at the 75th Cannes Film Festival 2022, the ‘Spirit of the Desert’ made its way to another iconic desert destination, Dubai.
Godawan is also the embodiment of Diageo India’s commitment to the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard, its namesake. With only a few Great Indian Bustards left in the world, every bottle the company produces will contribute to the conservation of this exquisite bird.
“Godawan is representative of what sustainable, mindful, purposeful modern Indian luxury looks like, and Dubai was the right stage to take this story to the rest of the world. With this launch, I truly believe that Diageo India has set a new standard for single malts coming out of India,” said Hina Nagarajan, CEO, Diageo India.
Godawan is crafted in, its provenance inspired by, and dedicated whole-heartedly to the Rajasthani ethos of “beauty in scarcity”, and sustainability. It pays homage to the spirit of its people who are known for their preservation and conservation skills, and for crafting exceptional things of brilliance from whatever little nature provides.
The heat of over 38 °C – combined with six-row barley, that requires less water to cultivate – helps create a whiskey with an incredible depth of flavour, and a rich and complex character.
The aridity means the “angel’s share” is higher than average in Godawan, leaving behind a whiskey with incredible depths of flavour, which are further enhanced by finishing in special casks selectively curated with Indian botanicals.
Premier @Cannes
In France earlier, Diageo India premiered Godawan at the 75th Cannes Film Festival 2022. The confluence with the National Film Development Corporation augments the ‘Make in India’ narrative through a grand showcase of the spirit, along with the country’s culture at the celebrated film festival.
Speaking on the occasion, Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer, Diageo India, said: “Presenting Godawan at the Cannes Film Festival will encourage modern consumers across borders to understand the nuances of the luxurious flavours in both expressions of this artisanal single malt.”
The story of Godawan was brought to life through an experiential lounge at the India Pavilion of the film festival. Rajasthani traditional folk singer Mame Khan, contemporary folk musician Raghu Dixit, and Indian film actress Pooja Hegde were among a host of Indian celebrities present to celebrate the occasion.
Chef Manu Chandra, also part of the Craft Council at Diageo India, played on a confluence of India and France, given the significance of 75 years of so many milestones.
Drawing from Rajasthani and French cuisines, he created a menu that used techniques and ingredients interchangeably to create deeply flavourful dishes that were light on the palate and spices.
The Pyaaz ki Kachori with caramelised shallots, fennel and coriander, encased in croissant dough and served with chutneys and creme fraiche was one example, where breakfasts from both regions came together into a bite-sized surprise.
Diageo has displayed a strong commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The launch of Epitome Reserve in 2021, India’s first artisanal 100% rice whiskey, was the first step towards crafting spirits with local produce.
