Whisky consumption in India is firmly anchored in the south. According to the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), the five southern states—Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana—plus Puducherry—together consumed 23.18 crore cases of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) in FY25.
That’s nearly 58% of the country’s total whisky sales, showcasing South India’s dominance in the liquor market.
- Karnataka topped the charts with 6.88 crore cases (17%).
- Tamil Nadu followed closely with 6.47 crore cases (16%).
- Andhra Pradesh and Telangana each contributed around 9%.
- Kerala stood strong with 2.29 crore cases, maintaining its position among the top whisky-consuming regions.
- Puducherry, despite its small population, added notable volumes thanks to liquor tourism and liberal excise rules.
Nationally, overall IMFL whisky sales fell slightly—down 1.4% year-on-year to 40.17 crore cases. Yet, the south’s dominance stayed unshaken.
Industry experts attribute this trend to higher purchasing power, cultural acceptance, and strong retail networks in the southern states. Even amid economic fluctuations, South India continues to be the backbone of India’s liquor market.
