Debasree Dasgupta to take charge as CMO & Head of Global Business Development of Pernod Ricard India on November 1
Kartik Mohindra took charge as Managing Director of WG&S, India on October 1. He was formerly the Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Global Business Development at Pernod Ricard India. Sachin Mehta, the current MD, will be taking up an international role within the WG&S business, as Managing Director, Canada.
Kartik Mohindra’s position in Pernod Ricard India is being taken by Debasree Dasgupta, effective November 1. Currently Global Vice President for Absolut, Dasgupta took on the position in 2023 and has since overseen the brand’s international strategy. Her career spans senior marketing roles at PepsiCo, Reckitt, and Unilever, giving her a diverse portfolio across categories and geographies.
Premium spirits company William Grant & Sons is signalling a focused push to strengthen its presence in one of the world’s most promising alcoholic beverage markets. Kartik joined the business with over 26 years of experience as a senior leader in marketing and sales, primarily in the alcohol, beverage and FMCG sectors.
In his former role, he played a role in transforming business performance at Pernod Ricard, leading brand strategy and expanding into new global markets. He has also overseen brand-led innovation across various categories, from whiskies and wines to brand extensions.
“These appointments reflect WG&S’ continued investment in key growth markets and a commitment to strengthening our global leadership team. We are excited to welcome Kartik to our team in India – a strategically important market for us. Driven by his expertise, we’re confident that we will further build on the great progress Sachin and the team have made in India in recent years,” said Doug Bagley, Chief Commercial Officer, WG&S.
The company’s portfolio includes brands of Scotch whisky, like Grant’s Blended Scotch, Glenfiddich, The Balvenie range of handcrafted single malts and other spirits brands such as Monkey Shoulder, Hendrick’s Gin and Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey. William Grant & Sons operates in India through its 100% subsidiary William Grant & Sons (India).
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given the green signal to home-grown alcoholic beverage maker Tilaknagar Industries’ Limited (TIL) proposal to acquire the Imperial Blue whisky business from the Indian arm of French liquor giant Pernod Ricard for Rs 4,150 crore.
In July this year, TIL had announced that it was set to acquire the Imperial Blue whisky business from Pernod Ricard at an enterprise value of 412.6 million Euros (around Rs 4,150 crore).
CCI in a post on X said “Commission approves the acquisition of the business of production, bottling, marketing, and sale of alcoholic and other beverages under the ‘Imperial Brands’ from Pernod Ricard India Pvt Ltd by Tilaknagar Industries Ltd.”
The acquisition will make TIL, which owns brands such as Mansion House Brandy, Courrier Napoleon Brandy, Mansion House Gold Whisky and Blue Lagoon Gin, a leading player in the fast-growing whisky market.
TIL and Pernod Ricard India had entered into a definitive agreement for the transaction related to the sale of the Imperial Blue business division (IB). The consideration includes a deferred payment of 28 million euros (Rs 282 crore as of date) to be paid four years after the date of the closure of the transaction, said a joint statement.
Imperial Blue is the third-largest whisky brand in India by volume. It has reported a revenue of Rs 3,067 crore for the year ended March 2025.
India is the second-largest market for Pernod Ricard. With a consolidated sales revenue of Rs 26,773.22 crore in FY24, Pernod Ricard India is the largest spirit maker in India. TIL had reported a revenue of Rs 1,405 crore and EBITDA of Rs 226 crore for the year ended March 2025. In the September quarter, it had become net debt-free after successfully restructuring its debt.
Launched in Rajasthan, expansion soon in Delhi, Gurgaon, Goa, and Mumbai
Globus Spirits Limited recently announced the launch of TERAI India Craft Vodka, the vodka filtered through amethyst crystals.
Handmade with care and cultivated from grain to glass at the TERAI distillery in Behror, Rajasthan, TERAI India Craft Vodka is crafted using locally sourced rice and bespoke production methods. The distillate undergoes a unique refinement process—filtered through amethyst crystals—creating a vodka which is smooth, playful, and unlike any other in the premium category.
Commenting on the launch, Shekhar Swarup, Joint Managing Director, Globus Spirits, said, “At Globus Spirits, our vision is to create world-class products that blend Indian tradition with global innovation. TERAI India Craft Vodka, with its unique amethyst crystal refinement, is a first for the world and a bold step in our premiumisation journey. We are confident it will resonate strongly with discerning urban consumers who seek authenticity, craftsmanship, and distinction in their spirits.”
TERAI India Craft Vodka has made its debut in Jaipur and Udaipur, Rajasthan, priced at `2,245 for a 750ml bottle. Expansion to Delhi, Gurgaon, Goa, and Mumbai is planned shortly, with availability across leading retail outlets and select premium channels.
With a distilling heritage dating back to 1958, Globus Spirits has been steadily strengthening its premium portfolio. The journey began with TERAI India Dry Gin, which has become a recognised name in the craft gin space, and now continues with the launch of TERAI India Craft Vodka.
Carlsberg India, the wholly owned subsidiary of Carlsberg Group, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, at World Food India 2025. The agreement reaffirms Carlsberg’s long-term commitment to India through proposed investments of ₹1,250 crore across key states.
The investments will strengthen Carlsberg India’s brewing and packaging footprint with investments of ₹500 crore towards a new greenfield facility in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, ₹400 crore for brownfield expansion in Hoogly, West Bengal, ₹350 crore for brownfield expansion in Mysuru, Karnataka (previously announced).
Over the next three years, Carlsberg India expects incremental procurement of nearly ₹600 crore in raw and packaging materials, directly benefitting industries such as malt production, glass, cans, cardboard, and logistics.
Speaking on the occasion, Nilesh Patel, Managing Director, Carlsberg India, said, “India is a priority growth market for Carlsberg Group. Our investments in Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Karnataka underline our long-term commitment to India’s future. These projects will expand our operational capacity, create meaningful employment, and generate excise revenues for the states.”
Carlsberg India is also embedding sustainability at the core of these investments, with a focus on renewable energy, water efficiency, and sustainable packaging solutions. These initiatives are aligned with India’s climate and development goals, as well as the Carlsberg Group’s global sustainability programme, Together Towards ZERO and Beyond.
Allied Blenders & Distillers Ltd (ABD) has commissioned a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle manufacturing facility at its integrated complex in Rangapur in Telangana. With an annual capacity of over 600 million bottles, the new plant is equipped with robotics, automation, recycling, and energy-saving technologies—part of the company’s backward integration strategy to boost self-reliance and cut costs.
The inauguration was led by founder Kishore Rajaram Chhabria, alongside managing director Alok Gupta and executive director Arun Barik. “This facility will significantly strengthen our supply chain while improving profitability through savings in logistics and packaging costs,” said Gupta.
The Rangapur complex is among ABD’s flagship assets, housing a 65-million-litre extra neutral alcohol (ENA) distillery, an Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) bottling unit, and now, the PET facility. Regulatory approval was recently granted to increase grain spirit production to 615 lakh bulk litres per year.
In addition, the site is witnessing fresh investment with the setup of a single malt whisky plant at an outlay of ₹75 crore. The facility, expected to commence production by the end of this fiscal year, will mark ABD’s entry into the premium single malt segment. Once distilled, the whisky will mature for at least three years before hitting the market—meaning ABD’s first single malt is expected post-2029.
Betting on Premiumisation and Global Demand
Alok Gupta highlighted that single malt whisky is one of the fastest-growing categories globally, and Indian brands are gaining traction with international accolades. “This will be a fascinating opportunity for ABD as Indian single malts have captured the imagination of global consumers.”
The company already exports to 27 countries and plans to expand its footprint to 35 markets. Exports currently contribute 8% of ABD’s topline.
ABD has also recently introduced five luxury brands since January 2024, diversifying beyond its mass-market Officer’s Choice whisky and Zoya premium gin. Historically known for its sub-₹1,000 price segment, ABD is now positioning itself to compete head-on with international premium players.
Capex-Driven Growth Story
ABD is in the midst of a ₹527 crore capital expenditure programme aimed at operational efficiency, premiumisation, and capacity expansion. About 25% of this investment was completed in FY24, with 60% earmarked for FY25 and the remainder in FY26. The spend will also support the company’s plan to expand total distillation capacity from 71 million litres per annum (mlpa) to 121 mlpa by FY27.
According to Gupta, these investments are expected to lift EBITDA margins from 7.5% to 17% and improve return on capital from 18% to above 20% by FY28. ABD has guided for 14–15% annualised growth in net sales over the next three fiscals, projecting its topline to double in just over five years.
Beyond expansion, ABD continues to embed sustainability in operations. The Rangapur site incorporates water recycling, biomass fuel handling, and energy-efficient automation across production. These measures not only reduce environmental impact, but also improve cost structures, complementing the company’s growth-driven investments.
Listed on Indian stock exchanges in July 2024, ABD reported revenues of ₹3,541 crore in FY25. With backward integration through packaging, aggressive capex in distillation, and a strategic push into single malt, the company is betting on premiumisation and global growth to shape its next decade.
“Consumers are upgrading, regulations are becoming more supportive, and Indian spirits are getting their due recognition globally,” Gupta said. “We see this as the perfect time for ABD to expand beyond our traditional base and build a strong premium portfolio for India and the world.”
Fresh issue proceeds earmarked for expansion and repayment/prepayment of borrowings
With its registered office at New Delhi- Alcobrew Distilleries India Ltd, the maker of whisky brands such as White & Blue and Golfer’s Shot, has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for a proposed initial public offering (IPO). The IPO consists of a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating ₹258.26 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 18 million shares by promoter Romesh Pandita, the founder and chairman of the company. The equity shares carry a face value of ₹10 each. Other promoters include Veena Pandita and the Romesh Pandita Family Trust. According to the DRHP, Alcobrew plans to utilise the net proceeds from the fresh issue for business expansion, Repayment/prepayment of borrowings, and general corporate purposes. As per regulatory guidelines, 50% of the issue will be reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), 15% for non-institutional investors (NIIs), and 35% for retail investors. Founded in 2002, Alcobrew Distilleries was converted into a public limited company in 2022. The Company manufactures, markets, and sells a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including whisky, vodka, and rum. Its brand portfolio spans premium and mass-market offerings such as Golden circle, Golfer’s Shot (premium whisky), White & Blue (blended whisky), White Hills (regular whisky), and One More (vodka). The company operates manufacturing units in Solan (Himachal Pradesh) and Dera Bassi (Punjab) with integrated distillation and bottling facilities. It has also built a robust distribution network supported by contract manufacturing arrangements, giving it a strong pan-India presence. In addition to domestic operations, Alcobrew has been expanding its global footprint. The company currently exports to countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East,. It continues to scout new overseas markets to strengthen its position among India’s emerging liquor exporters. On the financial front, Alcobrew reported consolidated revenue of ₹1,615.01 crore in FY25, compared to ₹1,640.11 crore in FY24 and ₹1,216.87 crore in FY23. Its profit after tax (PAT) rose to ₹69.45 crore in FY25, up from ₹62.55 crore in FY24 and ₹52.30 crore in FY23. India’s alcoholic beverages market has been witnessing strong growth, fuelled by rising disposable incomes, premiumisation, and evolving consumer tastes. Industry experts believe Alcobrew’s diverse brand portfolio, integrated operations, and growing international presence position it well to tap this demand. Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors is the book-running lead manager to the issue, while KFin Technologies will act as the registrar.
If you’ve been following Ambrosia then you would know that Bar Swap’s are a new trend in the country.
And DEWAR’S in its new campaign is banking on that. Their new initiative Here’s to the Story, opens with a unique Bar Swap between SOKA in Bengaluru and LAIR in Gurugram, where two mixologists from SOKA will bring their signature cocktails to Delhi for a one-night takeover.
The campaign will run under the larger umbrella of DEWAR’S Discoveries, a series of activations designed to encourage exploration through flavour, storytelling, and shared experiences. Each event will highlight regional nuances in cocktails, food, and culture, creating opportunities for audiences to engage with Scotch in fresh contexts.
Actor Randeep Hooda has also joined the campaign, bringing his perspective on discovery and storytelling. From flavours rooted in India to experiences abroad, his collaboration highlights the cultural and sensory layers the campaign aims to explore.
Over the coming months, the Bar Swap format and other activations will travel to key cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, each edition introducing local elements and new interpretations of Scotch.
So keep an eye out for the dates for these curated experiences.
Laphroaig Islay single malt, has announced its global partnership with actor, Willem Dafoe. The first of its kind in the distillery’s history, the campaign includes a short film titled ‘The Taste’, global advertising, a bespoke cocktail creation and tease of a limited-edition whisky.
The collaboration marks the latest instalment in the brand’s ‘Unphorgettable’ campaign, which was launched in 2024 and celebrates the unmistakable flavour of this whisky.
‘The Taste’ brings to life Dafoe’s search to define Laphroaig’s taste —something he can’t quite put his finger on. It draws inspiration from components in Dafoe’s life and his thirst for immersing himself to get a taste of experiences, including the attempt, as a child, to get a sense of flying to space by remaining in a wardrobe for two days. With this individual and curious style, Dafoe seeks the words to describe the bold single malt, and recites humorous descriptions submitted by some of the whisky’s biggest fans —Friends of Laphroaig.
The film and full campaign will be shared globally across channels, with a focus on digital and paid social. This will be reinforced with out of home, print, PR and in-store promotions in key markets, including the US, UK, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Japan, Australia and Global Travel Retail.
Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Suntory Global Spirits, Scotch and Irish, said, “Willem Dafoe is bold, curious, and impossible to define, much like Laphroaig itself. His uncompromising dedication to craft mirrors our own approach to whisky making. He is the ideal partner to bring to life the intense, unmistakable, and truly ‘unphorgettable’ flavour of Laphroaig, and to celebrate those around the world with character as distinctive as his.”
Speaking on the inspiration behind the film, Dafoe said, “The first time I ever travelled overseas, I went to Scotland. I was a kid, and the first thing I thought when my feet touched down on the ground was, something feels familiar here. I feel at home. The land spoke to me, and it must be genetic because my grandmother was from Glasgow. ‘The Taste’ depicts that sort of familiarity that’s found when exploring Laphroaig. It’s the flavours and how they come together.”
Laphroaig has also enlisted award-winning mixologist, Meaghan Dorman, to create a cocktail, named ‘The Other Island’. It blends Laphroaig 10-Year-Old, fresh pineapple, lemon, spiced cinnamon syrup and Amaro Ciociaro, with a touch of prosecco, to create a smoky, tropical and gently spiced spritz, balancing Laphroaig’s familiar character with layered flavours. The cocktail will be available first to guests at The Barley Mow pub in Mayfair, London, being renamed ‘The Barley Dafoe’ for campaign launch, before appearing on menus in additional select bars worldwide.
This Dafoe partnership will also extend to a limited-edition product collaboration, set for release in 2026. Together with Sarah Dowling, Senior Whisky Maker for Laphroaig, Dafoe has developed a limited-edition, that is quietly maturing, steeped in the peat, smoke, salt and the surprising sweetness that infuses all Laphroaig whiskies.
Moët Hennessy India has appointed Siddharth Suri as its Managing Director for India. The appointment comes at time when Moët Hennessy India is looking at its journey to accelerates its growth ambitions and strengthens its leadership in the country’s rapidly evolving luxury wines and spirits market.
In his new role, Siddharth will be in-charge of the company’s portfolio in India, which includes Dom Pérignon, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Belvedere, Chandon and Volcan. He will be responsible for shaping the company’s long-term growth strategy, driving consumer-centric innovation, and deepening the cultural resonance of Moët Hennessy’s brands with India’s new generation of luxury consumers, whilst building on the company’s legacy of excellence and innovation. Siddharth has worked with Moët Hennessy India earlier as the Sales Director for India and South Asia (Domestic and Travel Retail).
Speaking on the new leadership appointment Anne Claire Delamarre, President, Asia Pacific, shared, “India is a market of immense potential, with a new generation of consumers embracing luxury, craftsmanship, and global experiences in unique ways. We are deeply committed to continuously expanding our presence here, and Siddharth’s appointment reflects that ambition. His strong leadership, proven track record, and deep understanding of both Moët Hennessy and the Indian consumer landscape make him ideally placed to lead our next phase of growth in this exciting market.”
Speaking on his appointment, Siddharth Suri said, “It is an honour to return to Moët Hennessy India at such an exciting inflection point. India is one of the most dynamic luxury markets in the world today, and I look forward to leading the transformation of the company into its next chapter of growth. By building stronger consumer engagement, customer connections, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable business practices, we will continue to set new benchmarks for Moët Hennessy in India.”
With over 24 years of extensive experience in the FMCG and Wines & Spirits industries, Siddharth brings proven expertise in business transformation, market development, and scaling high-performing teams across domestic, travel retail, and international markets. He has held senior leadership roles at PepsiCo, Pernod Ricard, Moët Hennessy, Diageo, and most recently The Coca-Cola Company (HCCB), where he pioneered the Ready-to-Drink (RTD) alcoholic beverages category in India, shaping an entirely new consumer segment.
With over 1,000 direct Scotch industry jobs lost since last Budget, and polling showing the majority back a reduction in the tax burden on Scotch, sector bosses say to the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer: “now is the time” to back Scotch Whisky.
Chancellor RachelReeves
The Chancellor has been asked to give a lifeline to distillers in the Autumn Budget as the Scotch Whisky industry revealed there have been massive job losses since a further rise in spirits duty at the last Budget. Over 1,000 direct Scotch industry jobs have been lost since the last Budget, 2.7% of all those directly employed by the sector. And as the industry braces for more bad news in the coming budget, expected in November, as Rachel Reeves seeks to plug a black hole in the nation’s finances.
The double whammy of 14% in duty rises over the last two years alone—alongside tariffs in the United States—have left Scotch distillers saying they will reduce investment and see further job losses if taxes once again rise at the Budget this autumn: Industry sentiment surveys (Feb-June 2025) show three in four Scotch whisky distillers expect to defer or move investment outside the UK due to high duty rates; One in four distillers anticipate job cuts directly linked to 14% duty hike over last two years—many of these jobs will be lost in some of the most fragile economic areas in the country, in rural and island communities; About 76% of distillers warn that further increases in duty would reduce likelihood of capital investment or recruitment; Industry is already suffering from losses of £4m a week due to US tariffs.
Starmer had previously wooed the sector, saying before last year’s general election (in November 2023): “It’s clear Scotland’s whisky industry isn’t getting the stability it needs from the Tories and the SNP. Labour will put growth at the heart of our government and back Scotch producers to the hilt.”
In a Survation Poll commissioned in November 2024, shortly after Chancellor Rachel Reeves further increased duty on Scotch Whisky, 66% said they believed that the tax rise had broken the commitment made by the Prime Minister.
“The high tax burden is something the government can take action on… Now is the time,” said Billy Walker, master distiller at Glenallachie Distillery, Speyside.
Commenting on the pressures facing the sector today, Billy Walker, added, “I’ve been in the industry for more than 50 years and rarely, if ever, has there been a time of such peril to the long story of Scotch—tariffs overseas coupled with increasing tax and regulation in our home market.
“Some of the challenges the industry faces the government can’t address, and we accept that. But the high tax burden is something the government can take action on. It is often quoted back to me what the prime minister said, that he would back us to the hilt. Well, now is the time—and the Autumn Budget is the moment.”
Whisky bosses are set to lay out the stark future the sector faces to Treasury mandarins in the coming weeks in the hope the PM and his Chancellor keep their promise to back the sector.
Barry O’Sullivan, UK Managing Director, Diageo
Barry O’Sullivan, UK Managing Director of FTSE 100 spirits giant Diageo, said, “We urge the Chancellor to support Scotch, a historic, UK homegrown industry that not only supports thousands of jobs, but flies the flag for the UK on quality and craftsmanship around the world.”
Mark Kent, Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive
Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent said, “Distillers are right to raise the alarm. Job losses and cancelled investment is the same story we hear right across the industry as a direct result of the high domestic tax burden. We know that this will need to be a revenue raising budget, and the only way the Chancellor can do that through alcohol duty is to reduce the tax burden on Scotch whisky and other spirits. That is self-evident from the government’s own economic data, showing tax rises over the past two years have lost the Treasury over £600m in revenue.”
The industry’s case to the PM and Chancellor will include highlighting hospitality businesses’ dependence on Scotch and other spirits for their own future. Industry figures show 38% of the profits made by bars and restaurants come from spirits.
Matt Macpherson, owner and operator of The Malt Rooms in Inverness
Matt Macpherson, owner and operator of The Malt Rooms in Inverness said, “Pubs and bars like mine cannot sustain themselves on beer sales alone. While beer plays a role in our overall offer, it is not the core of our business model. However, the current alcohol duty regime appears to disproportionately favour beer, placing venues like ours—where premium spirits, especially Scotch whisky, are central—at a disadvantage?”
And Leon Thompson, Executive Director – Scotland, UK Hospitality added, “Those who visit our hospitality venues want to see a diverse selection of cocktails and serves. Spirits like Scotch whisky are a crucial part of that mix, and for the economic viability of our pubs and bars.
“Our hospitality sector is hurting in the face of rising business and employment costs, and we know action is necessary to stem the significant job losses the sector has already seen. With spirits accounting for 38% of a venues’ alcohol profits, action to freeze excise duty would be a welcome help.
At the same time, the sector will highlight that while spirit duties have risen by 14 per cent in just two years, the Office for Budget Responsibility was forced to admit that excise duty collected was £676m lower than expected.
New research from the Scotch Whisky Association shows that versus an RPI increase, forecasts show a freeze of spirits duty would generate an additional £122mn revenue for the Government in 2026/27, cumulative additional £1.03bn tax raised over four years.