High spirits! Malayali-led Manavatty brings country liquor to global stage, wins 2 international awards

Kochi: Manavatty, a distilled Indian native spirit, has made history by earning international acclaim at two highly respected global liquor competitions. The brand won the Bronze Medal at the London Spirits Competition 2025 and a Spirit Bronze 2025 at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). These contests were hosted by the Beverage Trade Network, a globally renowned entity in the alcohol industry. Numerous brands from around the world participated. Notably, no other Indian brand secured an award at this year’s events.

Manavatty was recognised for its high quality and distinct natural flavour. Judges noted the complete absence of artificial colour, fat, sweetness or preservatives, which particularly appealed to international consumers. The spirit surpassed several leading foreign labels to secure the prestigious awards.

Kochi connection

The brand is crafted by London Baron, a company established in the UK by John Xavier, a native of Kadavanthra, Kochi. Interestingly, the name Manavatty comes from a colloquial Malayalam code word used for requesting naadan vaatt or vaattu chaarayam—a traditional distilled arrack (country liquor). This inspired Xavier to name the brand accordingly.

Traditional distillation meets modern setup

Containing 44% alcohol, Manavatty is made using centuries-old Indian arrack distilling techniques. These traditional methods are paired with modern infrastructure to ensure consistent quality. The drink is free from grains, fat, and sugar.

Renowned London-based food testing authority Campden BRI has certified Manavatty, awarding it top grades for its adherence to quality standards.

Judging based on taste, value and packaging

Taste was a major factor in the award process. Each submission underwent evaluation by a panel of industry experts. Criteria included product quality, pricing, packaging, market potential, and value for money.

“This is a reward for taking traditional native distillation methods to the global stage,” said Xavier, Director of London Baron Ltd. He added that Manavatty was created to be equally appreciated by bar owners, mixologists, and consumers.