Kolkata, Feb 20 (IANS): Britain-based Scotch whisky maker Edrington group has forayed into India, opening its first distillery outside its home country.

The company has opened a manufacturing plant in Goa.

"This is the first time Edrington group has opened any factory outside Scotland," managing director of Kyndal group Siddharth Banerji told mediapersons here Friday.

Kyndal group has entered into a partnership with Edrington in India, where the former produces and markets their brand-owned products.

"No one can ignore the size of the Indian market, which consumes 2.8 million cases of whisky every year. With the market growing at a pace of 10 to 12 percent per annum, India is a huge market," said Banerji.

Since Goa possesses maritime weather and fluctuations are not extensive owing to its geographical location, the company selected the union territory as the preferred site, he added.

A maritime or oceanic air mass has a uniform temperature and moisture profile.

The scotch maker used to export its brand Cutty Sark, a blended scotch whisky to India in the past that cost Rs.2,600 a bottle. With home production commencing this year, prices would fall to Rs.1,400 for a bottle of 750 ml.