27 November 2025, New Delhi — Camikara, India’s first aged rum made from pure sugarcane juice, has made history by becoming the first Indian rum to win the ‘Rum Brand of the Year’ title at The Spirits Business Awards 2025 in London.
The brand beat some of the world’s biggest and most established rum producers from the Caribbean, Latin America, and other major rum-producing regions. This win is being seen as a major turning point for how Indian rum is viewed internationally, placing India firmly on the global premium-spirits map.
India’s Long Connection with Rum
India’s relationship with sugarcane stretches back thousands of years — even the Rigveda mentions early sugarcane-based fermented drinks like sidhu. Although whisky later became dominant due to colonial influence, India has always had strong roots in cane-based spirits.
In the last few years, Indian rum has been undergoing a transformation. Once considered mainly a mass-market drink, Indian distillers are now producing high-quality, terroir-driven rums that are gaining global respect. Camikara is one of the brands leading this comeback.
What the Brand Says
Shalini Sharma, Head of Marketing at Piccadily Agro Industries, said that Camikara’s win proves Indian rum can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best. She called the award a “defining milestone” for India and a signal that outdated perceptions about Indian rum are fading fast.
Why Camikara Stood Out
Judges at the awards described Camikara as a “pioneer in its category” and praised it for bringing Indian rum-making into global focus. The brand positions itself as a bartender-friendly rum, crafted with quality that has already won multiple awards.
About the Award
The Spirits Business Awards is one of the most respected international competitions in the spirits industry. The 2025 event saw strong entries from top rum-producing countries, making Camikara’s win a major achievement and an important recognition of Indian craftsmanship, flavour, and innovation.
