Godawan wins big at AFAQs CommuniCon and Ambrosia awards 2024

Godawan, artisanal single malt whisky born out of Rajasthan, continues its winning streak on the awards stage. The brand has secured two accolades at the prestigious Ambrosia Awards and AFAQS CommuniCon, reaffirming its position as a trailblazer in the Indian single malt industry. The brainchild of The Good Craft Co. from Diageo India, Godawan is crafting a distinctive single malt that challenges perceptions and defies traditional whisky production norms. This announcement follows closely on the heels of the brand’s triumph at the 2024 London Spirits Competition, where its collector’s-edition Godawan 100 was awarded ‘Single Malt Whisky of the Year.’

Distilled in Alwar, a region devoid of conventional whisky making terroir, Godawan leverages Rajasthan’s elevated temperatures, heritage techniques, and unique botanicals to bring to life a range of Indian single malts that will cater to every palate - Light and Floral, Fruity and Spicy, Rich and Rounded, Full bodied and Smoky. It achieves this by crafting a mother liquid that is flexible enough to manifest itself across each flavor profile. Currently, the brand has launched two unique expressions – 01 Rich and Rounded and 02 Fruit and Spice - priced between INR 2800 to INR 6000 and available in 12 markets across India: Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Telangana, Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.

Godawan’s 01 Rich and Rounded earned the award for Best Packaging (Graphics) at India’s Ambrosia Awards 2024, organized by Ambrosia Magazine – the country’s leading Wine and Spirits Magazine. The whisky’s label design celebrates Rajasthan’s community of artisans and craftspeople. The handcrafted wordmark is a modern twist on traditional Rajasthani typography, emerging from a color-blocked ‘line of origin’ that conveys the expansive essence of the desert landscape. The label is printed on FSC-certified paper with recycled content, finished with a hand-drawn illustration of the Godawan bird, and surrounded by the phrase ‘born and nurtured in Rajasthan’ - serving as a symbol of the brand’s commitment to conservation and sustainability.

Shedding light on Godawan’s label and packaging design, Hiren Dedhia, Design head at Diageo India, says, “Godawan is an ode to Rajasthan, embodying rarity and preciousness in every aspect - from the unique liquid to the stunning hand-illustrated Godawan bird, a symbol of our heritage. Our brand and design language are rich in detail, celebrating Rajasthan’s unparalleled craftsmanship and showcasing how extraordinary beauty can bloom even amidst the desert’s extremes. We've curated refined textures to evoke a sense of timelessness and luxury, while the juxtaposition of natural sandstone with vibrant bursts of color infuses modernity into traditional Rajasthani art forms. Godawan isn't just a brand; it's an Indian-born global icon, rooted in mindful luxury and dedicated to nurturing a bright future for a rare bird."

Godawan was also awarded Gold at the AFAQs Communicon for the Best Use of PR for a Product Launch. Having made its international debut at the 75th Cannes Film Festival 2022, the brand leveraged its unique story that intertwines heritage and innovation to create something distinctive that would turn heads globally. Strengthening its commitment to ‘Make in India, for the World,’ Godawan brought alive the story behind its whisky by curating an experiential lounge at the India Pavilion of the Cannes Film Festival 2022.