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Whiskymaker
and maturation specialist Dhavall Gandhi
has unveiled the Solares whisky cask
which has been developed specifically
for the Indian climate.
Whiskymaker and maturation specialist
Dhavall Gandhi has unveiled a
whisky cask developed
specifically for the Indian climate,
created in an exclusive partnership with
Spanish cooperage and winemakers José y
Miguel Martín.
Named 'Solares', the cask is engineered
to support Indian distilleries in
scaling their operations without
sacrificing flavour consistency or
quality. It also brings major
efficiencies to the maturation process,
addressing one of the whisky industry’s
most critical challenges.
Dhavall Gandhi said: "Whisky maturation
has traditionally been shaped by the
cooler climates of Scotland and Ireland.
But in tropical regions like India,
accelerated extraction due to higher
temperatures often results in imbalance
- and the unreliable quality of
available casks frequently leads to
batch-to-batch inconsistency. Our
SOLARES cask changes that narrative.
"It’s not just about maturation - it’s
about creating the foundation for
scalable growth, without compromising on
quality or consistency."
Crafted through proprietary
transformation and seasoning techniques,
each 225L ex-wine barrique—sourced from
the renowned regions of Rioja and Ribera
del Duero—is meticulously adapted to
deliver balance, depth, and consistency.
Solares is redefining the next frontier
of tropical whisky maturation.
Solares casks are available in three
unique expressions, empowering
distillers to shape their house
character with precision and
consistency:
- DULCE – Rich
& sweet
- MEDIO –
Balanced
- SECO – Dry &
complex
More than a technical breakthrough,
Solares represents a step toward a more
sustainable future for whisky
maturation. By repurposing ex-wine casks
rather than relying on new oak, it
significantly reduces deforestation,
minimises waste, and lowers the carbon
footprint of cask production.
At its foundation, Solares embraces
circular design principles:
- Repurposed
casks – Eliminates the need for
virgin oak.
- 100%
renewable energy – All operations
are powered sustainably, reducing
environmental impact.
Backed by years
of research and development in Puerto de
Santa María, Spain, Solares casks are
now in active use by Indian whisky
producers, delivering outstanding
performance, structural integrity, and
cost-efficiency in real-world
production.
Beyond whisky, Solares has also shown
remarkable results in the maturation of
rum and other tropical spirits—proving
its versatility across categories.
Scalable Quality at Its Core
With direct partnerships across wineries
and large-scale sourcing, Solares offers
consistent, scalable quality—a solution
to one of the key challenges faced by
Indian distilleries: erratic supply and
variable cask quality that hinder
production planning and consistency.
By sourcing casks in large volumes
directly from wineries and transforming
them within a tightly controlled
timeframe, Solares ensures a clean,
refined spirit through a precise and
repeatable maturation process.
Dhavall Gandhi, one of the world’s most
respected whisky maturation experts, is
the visionary behind Solares. Trusted by
family-owned distilleries, legacy
brands, and luxury spirit startups
alike, Dhavall brings unparalleled
expertise in cask maturation and
portfolio strategy.
As the former Whiskymaker at The
Macallan and the force behind The Lakes
Distillery’s Sherry-led transformation,
Dhavall has become a global authority in
cask-led whisky innovation. His advisory
firm, DHAVALL GANDHI, is often referred
to as the “haute couture” of the whisky
world—offering bespoke strategic
direction to brands seeking to elevate
their legacy or define their future.
Solares casks are available exclusively
through José y Miguel Martín, S.L.,
Spanish coopers and winemakers. For
inquiries and further information,
please contact Dhavall Gandhi Limited
via their website dhavallgandhi.com.
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