Piccadily's Camikara notches top ranks to win best aged rum awards in international contests

Camikara rum from Piccadily Agro Industries has earned international attention, claiming top spots in global competitions and signalling a growing presence for Indian rum on the world stage. At the Global Rum & Cachaça Masters Awards 2026 in the UK, Camikara 8-Year-Old won the Master Medal, the highest accolade at the event.

Its 3-Year-Old expression also received a Gold Medal for the second year in a row, making it the only Indian rum to take both honours in the same competition. In the United States, Camikara 8-Year-Old earned a Double Gold at The Fifty Best’s Aged Rum tasting, while the 3-Year-Old won Gold in the International blend category.

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“For a country with such a long and complex relationship with sugarcane, this moment carries deep historical resonance. References to fermented cane beverages appear in ancient Indian texts, yet for decades modern Indian rum was largely associated with industrial-scale production rather than artisanal craft. What we are witnessing now is a shift in that perception. With global judging panels recognising the quality and character of what we are producing, Camikara is helping reshape how Indian spirits are viewed internationally — not as volume products, but as expressions of terroir, tradition and technical excellence,” said Shalini Sharma, Head of Marketing at Piccadily Agro Industries.

India has traditionally been absent from conversations about premium rum, a space dominated by Caribbean and Latin American producers. Camikara’s recognition reflects a broader change, highlighting India’s potential in the category and the country’s long history with sugarcane-based spirits.

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Camikara is made from fresh sugarcane juice harvested within 36 hours, avoiding molasses or post-distillation additives. The rum is aged in American oak barrels in North India’s subtropical climate, where wide temperature swings accelerate maturation and enhance the interaction between wood and spirit. This approach emphasises the influence of India’s climate and terroir rather than mimicking Caribbean styles.

These accolades place Camikara among a small group of rums recognised on both sides of the Atlantic, a milestone for Indian rum and a sign that the country’s spirits are gaining serious international credibility.

Piccadily Agro Industries operates in distillery and sugar production, with facilities in Haryana and Chhattisgarh. Alongside Camikara, the company produces Indri Single Malt, Cashmir Vodka, and Whistler Whisky, maintaining a presence in both domestic and international premium spirits markets.