Why Spirits Awards Matter: Cheers Group Earned > 400 Awards & Counting
“For consumers, awards can act as a trusted guide. Faced with a crowded shelf of unfamiliar brands, a medal from a trustworthy platform can instill confidence and nudge them towards the product” says Ashwin Balivada CEO of Cheers Group, who mastered Business Management from Cambridge University.
Winning a medal at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) in it’s 31st edition receiving entries from over 70 countries, considered difficult due to its rigorous and highly structured blind-tasting process, which relies on a panel of over 75 expert judges, which involves 23 days of intensive tasting.
Each spirit is evaluated blindly, meaning judges never see the bottle or brand. They score entries based on– Appearance: Visual clarity and color. Aroma: The complexity and quality of the scent. Taste: The flavor profile and mouthfeel. Finish: The aftertaste and how long the flavors linger.
Goa based luxury spirits conglomerate — Cheers Group led by Dr Mohan Krishna Balivada, valued at around Rs 1,250 crore, is known for its innovative whisky maturation “humidity aging process” influenced by the Goan ocean breeze. It has achieved global recognition for its unique cask finishes, and it’s Kadamba recently named “Best Indian Single-Malt Whisky”.
Cheers Group has pan-India presence, also expanded globally to USA, UAE, Asia, Europe, and Canada. It’s on an expansion spree and developing a carbon-neutral distillery and innovation hub, also setting up world-class experience center to attract global tourists to Goa.
Kadamba Single-malt Agave Barrel finished whisky bagged the prestigious ISC medal, is a pioneering Indian spirit that has achieved prestigious international recognition, including Gold Medal at the 2026 Monde Selection Quality Awards. It is recognized as the world’s first Indian single malt finished in used agave barrels, creating very unique flavour profile.
Balivada Malt de Goa, won ISC Bronze, has earlier gained significant acclaim “Single Malt Whisky of the Year” at the 2025 USA Spirits Ratings with 93 points, recognized for being finished in unique 500-year-old traditional Heritage ‘Feni’ casks.
Kadamba Single-malt whisky XR sherry cask collection bagged ISC award, acclaimed as luxury at affordable price: ₹2,120 in Goa for a 750ml Gift-pack. Aged in sherry butts, offers rich notes of dried fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, and light smoke.
The Three Monkeys Indian Single-malt whisky won ISC Silver medal. The high-end industry first ‘AI featured’ carton packaging aimed at more stylish, ultra-premium appeal. The other International Spirits Challenge 2026 Silver medal winners are Laphroaig 18 year old, Dewar’s double 20 year old, Bowmore 30 year old, Ardbeg 25 year old, Balantine’s 18 year old Single-malt.
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