“The lady would like a single malt!”
I’m a Canadian lass who was based in Mumbai, India exploring whiskies of the world along with my friends for many years.
In 2011, we went from ad hoc informal tastings here and there to forming a private group that met monthly. Along the way I became the ‘scribe’ and started publishing tasting notes on my blog “Everyday Asia.” However these whisky sessions were just the beginning and this blog was born as it grew into a passion worthy of its own home.
In 2015, I founded a “Whisky Ladies” club for just the lasses and our adventures with the “water of life” with a special section devoted to the Whisky Ladies Corner.
This was followed in 2016 by a 3rd club affectionately known as the “BMC” aka the Bombay Malt & Cigar club as our amusing take on the Bombay Municipal Corporation.
After some 20 years in India, late 2019 I made a huge move for work to Nuremberg, Germany leaving behind three remarkable tasting groups. We all know how our world has changed since early 2020… what was the impact on our three Mumbai whisky tasting groups?
- Alas our original club sessions ceased without physical meetings, though one member continues to explore and post very knowledgeable insights on Whisky Flu
- As for the Bombay Malt & Cigar gents? Somehow we have sustained connections… despite being scattered from London, to Brussels then Dublin, to Nurnberg, from Dubai to Mumbai. We may not meet frequently or even all of us in person, but meet we do over a malt or two or three! Even if it means hand delivering samples in Berlin or convincing a distillery to ship to Europe whilst others enjoy in India! I’m also often the recipient of very kind samples when I miss sessions, so feel like I have somehow managed to continue to follow our joint journey of discovery.
- For the Whisky Ladies of Mumbai, September 2019 signaled that it was time to pass the baton to a few fabulous women who now capture tasting notes on a new blog: Whisky Ladies of Mumbai! With great creativity, the ladies found ways to share virtually and cautiously in small physical gatherings whisky acquisitions from select travels.. til it was possible to get back into a regular monthly rhythm of tasting! There has even been an infusion of new members as more of our original group moved on to different parts of the world.
As for me in Europe?
Initially, I had high hopes of finally easily making my way to various whisky festivals, exploring distilleries, and forging new friendships through a shared curiosity about the world of whiskies. However, little of that happened as COVID shut down most of the world.
We found ways though – when one Whisky Lady from Mumbai moved to Paris, we decided to create our own wee Whisky Ladies Euro chapter and I invited a 3rd based in London who also moved (back) to Paris. And with that, an Insta was also created to record some of our explorations! It was a welcome distraction and got us through some tough times.
Fast forward and the world returned to normalcy, whisky festivals started up again, and I also decided it was high time to start something up in Nurnberg. So co-founded in July 2023 an International Whisky Tasting group – so dubbed as we have a wonderfully eclectic global set of curious and enthusiastic explorers.
This blog continues and I invite you to start exploring with:
- Complete listing of whiskies by country/region or sub-sets like:
- Tasting sessions which include a quarterly whisky round-up
As I approach nearly a decade of writing about whisky with 1,500 posts, I reflect on so many engaging conversations and laughter shared over a dram or two!
Comments welcome! Hope you enjoy! Slainthe!
Carissa Hickling
Media features include:
- MumbaiMirror – Whisky Business (May 21, 2017)
- SheThePeople – Whisky Lady in India – Carissa Hickling (March 5, 2016)
- Indian Express – The Lady Wants a Single Malt (March 27, 2011)
Whisky Lady 
Hey, looking for a good beginner whisky from Scotland for my dear 48yo brother for Christmas…I know it’s not much to go by but that’s all I have. He is not into whisky thus far but he enjoys a good life with good foods so I guess there is just this special extra missing for some enjoyable evening 🙂
LikeLike
Hey there! One affordable ‘beginner’ whisky that is accessible with some character is a vatted malt ‘Monkey Shoulder’ – a blend of three single malts Kininvie, Balvenie and Glenfiddich. Lots of other options too but this is not a bad place to start. 🙂
LikeLike
Glad I found you here Carissa. I look forward to learning more about this wonderful drop of liquid sunshine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah… my Whisky Lady in India blog… call me a passionate novice who is happy to share! 🙂
For your travel bug, you may find Everyday Asia amusing too… not so regular with posting but my outlet for stories of everyday life living in Mumbai and travel around Asia. Used to be a LOT of travel a few years ago. Less so now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi!! would love to join this group. Read about you all through some post. I have been a lover and drinker of single malts since the last 15 odd years. Would be very happy and grateful to be part of your tastings. Thanks
LikeLike
Hi Aparna! Great hearing from you and I’ve sent you an email with further details. Cheers, Carissa
LikeLike
Loving your blog! I also have a bit of a challenge for you as an experienced taster. Would you dare to try and review one of these hardcore drinks?: https://lordsofthedrinks.com/2017/11/26/the-top-10-strongest-alcoholic-drinks-in-the-world/
Cheers,
Micky
LikeLike
Hey Micky,
Missed your comment earlier somehow… haven’t tried any of the drinks you listed and highly doubt we would ever come across them here in India. 🙂
Cheers, Carissa
LikeLiked by 1 person
Might be tricky indeed. And how about the homemade stuff there? A big risk of going blind or not that bad?
Cheers,
Micky
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is some local stuff distilled and distributed illegally that has alas been responsible for blindness and death. However there is also a rich tradition of quite safe and diverse homemade stuff… from fenny in Goa to Mahua which a friend has been trying to bring from the villages to world. 🙂 https://wp.me/p5a4Qb-2×4
LikeLiked by 1 person
hi, This is Sejal from HFTCafe, would like to get in touch with you for an interview.. how can we connect do write back to me on sejal@hftcafe.com
LikeLike
Hi, I am from Tamilnadu, And i am trying to get some good whiskeys for my collection
I love the bourbon and am just starting to recognize the stronger notes. Had to smell into a barrel in the Amrut distillery to actually recognize what oaky meant.
My question is where do you find good whiskeys in India. Here in TN all liquor is sold by the government and we dont many options to go with.
The one i am craving for rite now is the Angel’s envy Rye
LikeLike
Hi Vignesh,
While the range available in most states in India is much improved than even just a few years ago, I fully appreciate it remains limited.
Some friends used to order online for shipment to India paying duty – but understand most states no longer permit this.
Which is exactly why we started tasting groups – each member sources something when traveling abroad or via their respective network of friends and family who travel outside. Only this way are we able to bring individual bottles into India and share in private homes with friends.
Alas it doesn’t help you get your hands on Angel’s Envy Rye… unless you are planning a trip to Kentucky!
Cheers,
Carissa
LikeLike