Godawan 173: The collector's edition – The artisanal liqueur cask finished Indian single malt

Godawan 173: The Collector’s Edition marks a defining chapter for Indian single malt, marrying mindful luxury, rare artistry, and one of the most innovative cask finishes the whisky world has seen. Limited to just 173 bottles, each priced at INR 5,00,000, this rare expression pays tribute to the extraordinary recovery of the Great Indian Bustard population — from 100 last year to 173 today. 

Godawan 173 stands out for its exceptional finish in Asha Liqueur Casks. Originally crafted by Thakur Karni Singh Ji of Mahanser over a century ago to create a royal liqueur, the Sal wood vats are seasoned with 42 ingredients—including fresh fruits, spices, dry fruits, botanicals, honey, and milk—infusing the spirit with a rich, resinous character. This process imparts layers of indulgence and warmth rarely found in single malt, resulting in a deep mahogany-hued expression.  

Nine Years, Three Woods, One Landmark Expression 

Crafted from Indian six-row barley and double-distilled in copper pot stills, Godawan 173 is matured for over nine years across three distinct casks: 

American white oak ex-bourbon casks for sweetness and vanilla depth. 

European Oloroso and PX Sherry casks for richness and spice. 

And finally, the Asha Liqueur Casks, imbuing an opulent, resinous finish unlike any other. 

This rare triple-cask journey, crowned by the Asha finish, establishes Godawan 173 as a singular expression of India’s terroir and craftsmanship. It opens with aromas of roasted nuts, figs, raisins, and polished oak, unfolds on the palate with notes of walnuts, dark chocolate, and Sherry undertones, and concludes with a finish that elevates the whisky into a new realm of complexity. 

To honour the spirit’s debut, Bollywood star and global fashion icon Sonam Kapoor unveiled the first bottle at The Savoy London during London Fashion Week 2025, donating $50,000, along with Diageo India, towards the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard. She walked the red carpet in a custom Erdem gown, adorned with motifs of the bird in the same cobalt blue as Jaipur Blue Pottery — echoing the artwork on each Godawan 173 bottle and transforming couture into a canvas of storytelling. 

From 100 to 173: A Milestone in Conservation 

The name “Godawan” pays homage to the Great Indian Bustard, one of the world’s most critically endangered birds. In 2022, the brand released Godawan 100 to mark a fragile population of just 100 surviving birds. Through dedicated conservation initiatives — from restoring native Sewan grasslands to creating protected enclosures and hatcheries — the number has now risen to 173. To celebrate this extraordinary milestone, Godawan created 173 bespoke bottles — each one symbolising a life reborn. 

Each bespoke bottle is inspired by Jaipur Blue Pottery and created in collaboration with the creative studio Butterfly Cannon and Leela Bordia of Neerja International. Forged not from clay but from quartz, salts, and natural glaze, no two bottles are the same. Delicate yet enduring, each vessel embodies the resilience of Rajasthan and the rarity of the spirit it holds. 

“Godawan for us has always been about purpose and mindful luxury. The Collector’s Edition is a true celebration of a milestone in our journey and a tribute to the 173 Great Indian Bustards. We were clear that it had to be special, so we dug deep into the roots of Rajasthan. Jaipur Blue Pottery inspires the bottle, and the liquid inside is spectacular as we have finished the liquid in Asha liqueur casks, something no brand has done before. The combination of the triple cask, along with this heritage liqueur, makes the Collector’s Edition rare and something to cherish,” said Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer, Diageo India. 

Godawan 173: The Collector’s Edition will be available at Bangalore Duty Free and at select premium outlets in London, including The Whisky Exchange. When each bottle finds its way to 173 shelves across the world, it will carry the story of a whisky born of scarcity, a bird reborn against extinction, and a brand that has chosen purpose as its compass. 

Godawan 173 Tasting Notes  

Aroma: Bold aromas of roasted nuts, dried figs, raisins, and prunes, with polished oak, leather, vanilla, warm spice, and malt. 

Taste: Rich and complex, layered with walnuts, dark chocolate, oak tannins, cinnamon, and Sherry undertones, balanced by a rounded malty core. 

Finish: Long, warm, and dry, with toasted nuts, oak spice, malty sweetness, and lingering dried-fruit richness.   

Product Details:  

ABV: 46% 

Size: 700 ml 

Price: INR 5,00,000