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Bacardi India, Engine of Growth for Bacardi Global: Vinay Golikeri

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company with a portfolio comprising over 200 brands and labels. In a conversation with Bhavya Desai on a podcast, Vinay Golikeri, Managing Director of Bacardi India explains why India is a key market for Bacardi and more. Excerpts:

The market opportunities in India, both from a macro-economics and spirits perspective, are huge. Substantiating this Golikeri said, “In the global market place, premium spirits account for 50% of brands, while in India it is 5 to 6%, which means there is ample headroom to premiumise.” In India, between 2020 and 23, premium spirits had a growth of over 40% while globally it was around 7 to 8%.

Adding 20 million LDA every year

As regards Bacardi, Golikeri mentioned that vast majority of products were premium and ‘we have a long runway of growth for premium’ aided by factors such as rising affluence, consumers are drinking better, the demographic dividend (every year India is adding 20 million coming in to the legal drinking age (LDA) bracket), sea change in the retail environment, top notch bars, trading up is happening across price points. “Put all that together, the premium plus segment is really accelerating.” The median LDA in India is 28 whereas in the US and China it is over 40. “The number of affluent households is expected to more than double from 77 million in 2020 to over 177 million by 2030.”

Inflation-linked price mechanism needed

However, he said that two things from the regulators were essential – ease of doing business and consistency in policy, both of which will go a long way in driving growth for the industry and revenues for the government. “Several States have not given price increases for years. There is inflation and cost of raw material has gone up, affecting investment capabilities. The government should introduce inflation-linked price mechanism.”

With the alcobev sector in India being a highly regulated and complex market, Golikeri said, “It is like dealing with 28 countries rolled into one, policies change every year, route to market changes every year.” Taxes and duties are about 65 to 70% of the MRP (maximum retail price) and the rest goes to each level of the chain – wholesale, retail and brand owners. “Our taxes are significantly higher than anywhere in the world. We need inflation-linked pricing mechanism. We need to invest to grow the brand and for that to happen, price becomes critical.”

Best 10 Strategy

Continuing on Bacardi’s plans in India, Golikeri pointed out, “We started out in India in 1997-98 with Bacardi rum, then in early 2000s with Bacardi Breezer, mid 2010 with Bombay Sapphire, Grey Goose and a few years back with Patron. It’s being a great run. Bacardi India is an engine of growth for Bacardi globally.

“We at Bacardi are going along with our Best 10 strategy… that is making the next 10 years the best ones yet. We want to grow our India business six times by 2030. We have been having strong double-digit growth and we are on track. Experiential marketing is key for us. It is going to continue in importance as a growing number of consumers are experience-seeking. It is going to be equally about experience as much as the product.”

Cocktail Culture Evolution in India

“The bar scene in India has changed considerably, not just in metro, but also in Tier 2 cities. There is a lot of experimentation and we are seeing real evolution of the cocktail culture. It is not just Mumbai or Delhi. Recently, I had been to a bar in Guwahati and If I showed you their cocktail menu, you would think it was some bar in London or New York. Our products are positioned at half of the cocktail culture. This is an interesting opportunity for us to leverage the cocktail culture.”

Golikeri cited the sixth annual Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, which identifies the five key trends poised to reimagine cocktail culture and the spirits industry in 2025. The report, created in collaboration with The Future Laboratory (TFL), draws on data from Bacardi-led and external research, consumer surveys, bartender interviews and TFL insights to reveal the movements that are influencing cocktail experiences, flavour profiles, and culture the coming year.

Quoting Mahesh Madhavan, the Bacardi CEO, Golikeri said the company has embraced the shift from consumption to curation, where consumers are not just seeking drinks, but meaningful experiences enjoyed over a cocktail.

Do What Moves You

Bacardi has launched a marketing push to launch its brand purpose ‘Do What Moves You’, which aims to “shine a spotlight on the brand’s belief in the power of self-expression”. “It has music experience, delicious cocktails, wonderful merchandise, its 360 degrees, bringing all together to a compelling experience. We amplify that digitally where a few experience, but gets seen by many.”

Legacy, Made in India

Talking about ‘Legacy’ whisky, the make-in-India product, Golikeri said its ‘tested, researched and produced in India’. “We have put the consumer in the heart of it. We have had strong results from the consumer to the product. We initially went into three States – Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana and we know we have a winner on hand. We will be rolling out in other states too and Legacy is a response to vocal for local.” The roll out plans include Goa, Pondicherry, Jharkhand, Odisha, Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, and Rajasthan. The focus, Golikeri said, is going to be on Legacy, Irish whiskey brand Teeling; tequila brand Patron El Cielo, and vodka brand Grey Goose Altius.

However, he said that Bacardi rum which was introduced in 1997-98 continues to be popular. “For Bacardi Breezer, the main player in the RTD (ready to drink) segment, the market share in India is 90%. Launched in 2002-03, it is a great liquid and has had good activations. We had the winning recipe. We were an early entrant and we have cemented the product.”

Three F’s that Drive Bacardi culture

Asked about his experience so far in India, he said, “I came from Dubai in early 2023 and the first few months, I just travelled across the country, visiting almost all states, meeting with our teams, stakeholders and also consumers. It was an exercise to understand the challenges, the market and to help shape our strategy. I put all this on paper and took it to our board of directors. One of the learnings from the travels has been there is incredible opportunity for Bacardi to grow here.”

The company, he adds, encourages entrepreneurial mindset and helps in taking bold decisions, all coming from Bacardi’s focus on three F’s – Family; Founders and Fearless. “In Bacardi everyone is treated as family. We are all ‘Primos’ (cousins in Spanish), where we care for each other and help in making bold decisions. We are all a passionate team of Primos.”

India, Golikeri adds, contributes hugely not just in terms of business, but also as a global talent hub. Bacardi has so many career programmes and India is a key pillar when it comes to talent sourcing.

Amrut Distilleries, Expanding Capacity and Eyeing Partnership in the Long Term

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In a podcast conversation with Bhavya Desai, Rakshit Jagdale, Managing Director of Amrut Distilleries, has spoken at length about the company’s expansion plans and the journey of how a practical project during his MBA days in the UK led to the first-ever launch of an Indian Single Malt whisky, charting a path which many others have followed subsequently, making India proud of its strides in the alcobev sector.

engaluru-based Amrut Distilleries, the firm that put Indian Single Malt whisky on the global map, is in an expansion mode. Beginning April 2025, Amrut Distilleries is adding 35% more to its distillation capacity, taking it from 900,000 litres to about 1.4 million litres, according to its Managing Director, Rakshit Jagdale. It was only in 2018, the company had trebled its distillation capacity.

`1,000 crores net sales target

Amrut Distilleries’ current business in volume terms is over 6.3 million cases per annum with turnover at ₹540 crores net sales, gross sales being ₹1,750 crores. “The projections are to touch ₹1,000 crores net sales in about 10 years’ time, growing at 10 to 15%. We are quite confident, we will sustain. For us bottom line is important. We can chase turnover with economy, but we want to have strong EBITDA. There is scope for luxury and premium segment to grow further and strengthen the bottom line.”

Dilution of stake

Asked whether the closely-held family concern would be diluting its stake, Jagdale said, “There has been a lot of interest in our group over the past six to seven years. We have had discussions at the family board level, but we have not taken that call yet. We cannot shy away for too long. We are looking at a partner who will add value to the brand and also give global market accessibility, if at all we go that way.” IPO (initial public offering) is another route which the company is looking at it from a long- term perspective. “We are not there as yet. I personally feel, it will be a couple of years more, before we take that call.”

Meanwhile, Amrut Distilleries is also exploring avenues to set up a new distillery to cater to the bulk market. “We are seriously looking at the bulk side, impending the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom.”

FTA and its impact

On whether there would be a downward revision in the prices of premium whisky in India, post FTA, Jagdale said, “It is certainly round the corner and it will post a fair bit of challenges. Brands like Glenfiddich, coming down from their current levels, will affect. We don’t know what is going to be their strategy, but they will put pressure on us to come down by ₹500 to ₹1,000 from what we are selling at currently. The bottomline will get compromised but we should stay put.” The shelves will have Indian single malts and BIO (bottled in origin) Scotch and consumer preferences around that point of time has to be factored in. “We have to wait and see.”

Weary of unhealthy competition

Stating that the Indian market offered massive opportunities, Jagdale mentioned, “Everybody wants to be in India now. They want to jump on Indian single malt bandwagon. They are serious and we are serious too on what we are doing.” Diageo has launched Godawan Indian single malt whisky, Pernod Ricard is setting up a single malt distillery and there are a host of Indian distillers, about five to seven of them, who will hit the market in the next two to three years. There is Ian Macleod coming. “Competition is most welcome and it keeps you on your toes, improves processes quickly and rapidly. Just hope that it doesn’t go the path of unhealthy competition.”

Amrut’s market focus

Giving details of its market bifurcation, Jagdale stated, “This year, of our total business is 95% domestic and 5% export market. Within the luxury division, we are 35% export and the rest domestic. “In the premium range, we have MaQintosh Premium whisky, Silver Edition whisky, Two Indies Rum, and Nilgiris Dry gin. The mass market category includes Amrut XXX rum, Prestige whisky, Silver Cup brandy. From a volume point of view, we would be 70% economy and from topline point of view 25% would be luxury and 10% would semi-premium and premium categories.”

Pain Points,
Excise Tops the List

Talking about excise duties, Jagdale said, “We are a highly regulated industry. Time has come to deregulate it. We are still following laws enacted by the British, while we have technology. There is a massive trust deficit between the government and the alcobev industry, hoping that the perception the governments have about the industry changes. Hopefully, it will have happen in my lifetime, would like to see that happen.” Agreeing that presently the governments are willing to listen to the industry and amend rules, he said, “there is hope.”

South Heavily Taxed

Jagdale stated that the southern states are highly taxed. “If you look at Punjab, Haryana and other northern states, the taxes are not as high as here. For instance, if the MRP (maximum retail price) is ₹100, the manufacturer gets roughly about ₹11, the retailer gets ₹9, the rest goes to the government. Agreed that the government has its own compulsions of running welfare programmes and other schemes, we appreciate that, but there has to be a balance going forward.” The governments, unlike earlier days are now open to dialogue which can only get positive, he hoped.

Is alcobev profitable business?

Quizzed about whether the alcobev sector is a profitable business, considering that it highly regulated, Jagdale’s advice is “Get into the premium and luxury segment. It is not worth to be in the mass market. You may achieve volumes in a couple of years, but you are not going to make any money. It takes minimum of four years, one should have the patience and the ability to invest for that long a time.”

His guestimate is that a 1000 litre per day plant will require a minimum capex investment of ₹25 crores and there would be working capital. “There is no guarantee that it will succeed in four years’ time. One should have the patience.” The route budding entrepreneurs could take is getting in gin manufacturing or matured rum category or vodka at the premium end. “Then you can pick up white, brown and dark spirits.”

The consumer of today

Emphasising the need to go premium, Jagdale explained that the present day consumer is highly discerning. “Globally we see a lot of youngsters have taken up to single malt whisky in a very big way, especially in the US, India, Europe. One thing we have observed with the advent of internet, is that the knowledge levels of the consumer has gone up significantly. Youngsters know more about whisky and other spirits much more. This keeps us on our toes. The consumer profile has changed. The younger generation is willing to spend more, drink better, drink less as they are health conscious too.”

Dram Bell Premium Whisky Review – Kevin Pietersen’s Whisky

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It isn’t everyday that a famous English cricketer decides to launch their own Scotch whisky – well may be not globally atleast. In India this has become a recent trend where celebrities have started jumping onto the alcobev bandwagon. Take for instance Sanjay Dutt, whose Glenwalk Whisky is doing pretty well in the market. Even SRK and his son Aryan have launched their premium Vodka in the market..

Now what makes Dram Bell special is that it comes from Kevin Pietersen – the former England Cricket Captain, who is a marquee investor in the company. I did sit down with him for a chat and you can read that conversation here.

The Dram Bell scotch whisky comes in 2 variants – the Premium and the Reserve. The Reserve comes with a 5-year age statement. But today I am reviewing the premium, priced at INR 1,750 per bottle for a 700 ml with a ABV of 40% and currently it is only available in Maharashtra with plans to launch in other states soon. Now this is positioned slightly higher than the other products in this. Why? We’ll talk about that later.

This whisky is brought to you by Ardent Alcobev Pvt. Ltd., which is a JV between Rajasthan Liquor Ltd (RLL) and Industry veterans, Debashish Shyam and Jatin Fredericks. Now you must be wondering how does KP come into the dram here? As mentioned earlier he is an investor in Ardent and naturally he is going to use his star power to promote the brand.

The whisky gets its name from a unique tradition during the Victorian time when distilleries rang a bell for the workers to come and enjoy a dram of whisky – on the house – a tradition that apparently these makers continue to the day.

What’s interesting is that Angus Dundee Distillers is the one who distils, blends and bottles Dram Bell in the Highlands Region in Scotland. Now they are a renowned name who are the makers of famous single malts like Tomintoul, etc and have been around for a longtime.

The scotch is made under the supervision of Ian Forteath, Dram Bell’s Master Blender with the blend using a combination of aged malt and grain Scotch whiskies, matured in first and second-fill American bourbon oak casks and the makers say that this results in a refined and complex flavour profile. Now what does first and second fill cask mean? It means that a cask that has previously been used to age sherry, port, bourbon, or other aged wines or spirits, and is now being used to age another whisky for the first time. And this process tends to add a distinctive flavour.

Packaging

The mono carton packaging is very Scottish in terms of the red/maroon colours with all the information – the key one being that it is exclusively made in Scotland.

It comes with a neck tie that has info from KP and the bottle is very familiar, since it is bottled by Angus Dundee it is slightly familiar to Tomintoul single malt. I like the ingredients where is states on the bottle – scotch whisky, water and natural colour, which means it has purely got its colour from the barrels and maturation process – making it authentic.

Nosing and Tasting

At first whiff you can get the aromas of sweetness, hint of chocolatey, toffee/caramel sort of finish. Its is surely fruity and also a hint of fennel may be? In terms of taste – it is sure sweet with hints of apple, spice and caramel finish. On the throat the finish is short but smooth and there is no burn, which hints that it has even matured well.

Conclusion

So how is Kevin Peterson Dram Bell scotch whisky? Well for a price of Rs. 1750 it is competing with some very good names in the category. Like Teachers Highland Cream, Grants, 100 Pipers Deluxe etc. And with the prospect of it being more affordable in other states (when it launches), this makes it a pretty good proposition.

Monkey Shoulder Trigger Jigger Review | Are Jiggers Obselete?

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Ron De Ugar Handcrafted Rum Review

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The Ron De Ugar Rum comes from Ugar Sugars Works Ltd who have been in the Sugar business for about 75 years. And as you know that manufacturing ENA is a natural extension of being in this business and in line with that Ugar Sugar also has a portfolio of spirit products in the market. This is their first rum product and is priced at Rs. 1300 in Goa for a 750 ml bottle. The rum features a 42.8% ABV and is currently only available in Goa and Karnataka, with plans to launch it soon in others states as well.

Why the Name?

It is common to believe if this rum is from India? The name suggests that it might be an international product and honestly I also thought for it to be one at first glance. But this is a 100% Indian handcrafted Rum and it is manufactured in the Ugar Khurd region, which is a small hamlet in the erstwhile princely state of Sangli in the West of India, on the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The region is a sugar manufacturing-focused township with large areas under sugarcane cultivation, which is where the distillery is based and also of course this rum is also made there. And since this comes from the Ugar region, its named after it, the ‘Ron de’ has been added to give it some flair of course.

Apart from the name there are few other interesting things about this Rum, and the most important is that this is made from cane spirits and not molasses. Most of the rums that you find in India are made from Molases, whisky’s also in fact. Much like Camicara Rum, which is also a small batch rum made from cane spirit, Ron De Ugar is mixed with mature 3-5 year rums and cane spirit.

Another interesting thing about this rum is the moniker on the rum. When you look at him it seems like an international figure, but this is actually Shivaji’s Naval Commander, Kanoji Angre, who use to monitor that belt and is also known as askilled navy chief hence used here.

*Kanoji Angre features as the moniker on the label*

How is it made?

So, how exactly is this rum produced? The aged rums are combined with cane spirits and left to mature gradually in Oakwood casks. Afterward, they’re mixed with fragrant spices to create a unique flavour. This rum is crafted and bottled at the Ugar Sugar Works Ltd. in Ugar Khurd, located in the Belagavi district of Karnataka.

Packaging:

Similar to many other rums available in this segment, it comes in a canister. A marron base colour along with gold letterings make it look good and the canister also has some night texture with the picture of the Naval Commander Kanoji Angre on it. The shape of the bottle is similar to that if Monkey Shoulder whisky somewhat.

*The bottle looks like Monkey Shoulder Whisky*

Nosing:

With an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 42.8%, this rum is undoubtedly smooth while nosing. Its sweetness carries note reminiscent of vanilla, which is evident from the aroma it imparts. There’s a distinct and clear vanilla scent. While there’s not much spiciness, the scent is deep and intense. Taking a whiff of this rum can also provide a pleasant sensation, gently expanding one’s nostrils.

Tasting:

Talking about the taste, as expected, it’s smooth. When the spirit enters the mouth, it feels refined, smooth and also warm. The spiciness hits you slightly late just as the vanilla sweetness fades away. There’s a lingering texture on the palate, offering a warm and comfortable feeling. Interestingly, although the spiciness isn’t obvious at first sip, it becomes evident shortly after. The spiciness is balanced and not overwhelming, providing a relaxed experience. The finish is prolonged, felt at the back of the throat, and carries a warm sensation with a subtle hint of spice. Despite the enticing aroma of vanilla and sweetness, these flavours don’t translate as strongly onto the palate. For a rum with a 42.8% ABVit goes down smoothly.

Conclusion:

Priced at ₹1300, this rum certainly falls into the premium category. It’s important to note that this isn’t a budget-friendly option, especially when considering potential higher costs in other states. But the makers are very clear that this is meant to be a handcrafted small batch rum. While the rum is good I would’ve been happier if it would’ve been priced at around Rs. 900 – 1000, it would’ve flown off the shelves then. But overall you must try this for sure, atleast once.

The Glenwalk Whisky Review

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This is the newest Blended Scotch in the market and this is the first exclusive review of this Whisky as well. Now what’s special about this whisky? It actually comes from Sanjay Dutt. Yes you heard it right! The famous actor is one of the partners in this whisky and other than him there are four other partners who have come together to form a company called Cartel and Brothers. All of the partners in this company seem to have good experience in this industry and from the looks of it they have all the bases covered between them.

Apart from of course have Dutt as a partner, the other thing special about this scotch is its price. It’s just costs Rs. 1550 in Maharastra for a 700 ml bottle (not 750 ml), it is a 40% ABV. This is also currently only available in Maharastra only. Now this is a category where you have your Indian Premium whisky’s like Blenders, Oaksmith, Antiquity Blue, Signature, etc, who are millionaire brands, making this experience, something that those consumers might be interested in.

The makers also highlight that while this is a scotch, it is tailoured to the Indian tastes buds, which means there might have been much thought gone behind making this.

How is it Made?

Of course being a blended scotch it is made in Scotland and this uses a 3-year-old malt that is mixed with grain spirits. Most scotches as you know come with an age statement of 3-4 years malt.

Now the Glenwalk is made using the traditional production method, which involves using malted barley that is soaked in water and allowed to germinate until the sugars are released. This is then fermented to create the blend. This is also made and bottled at the Aceo Ltd in UK, which are the producers of number of malts and scotches.

What’s also interesting is that this is a whisky that the company is also pushing as a mixer, they have a host of recipes on their website, which is a trend that is ongoing in the industry now – much like the Jhonnie Walker Blonde, which is doing well in the market.

Packaging

As you would expect, being a blended scotch it comes in a mono carton and they’ve gone for the black colour. The carton also featured a picture of the highlands on it, which is where this is made. The carton has also the relevant info and the idea behind the scotch. Much like the communication surrounding the whisky, the packaging also tries to sell the story about a more premium brand and taste experience that is suppose to inspire the consumer.

Personally I feel the outer packaging could be better. It’s difficult to read the bottle name from a distance since it is presented in a vertical. I am not sure if this was a strategy that the makers went with, much like the Black Label, which deliberately slanted its logo at 24 degrees on purpose to stand out on the shelf at that time.

On the inside I like the packaging. The bottle shape is kind of a cross between the Glens of the world and also a little bit of Bagpiper honestly? Let me know in the comments if you also think so, or what is the type of look of this bottle do you think it is?

Nosing

On the nose the you get a little hint of sweetness which is common from the whisky’s that come from the Highlands. It’s 40% ABV and it doesn’t seem very potent. The colour is dark-deeper brown.

Tasting

A nice swirl and you get the fruity sweetness for sure, a hint of caramel and the spicy nature. There is also a hint of smoky aroma which isn’t in your face, but you get it surely when the spirit is in your mouth. Another thing to notice is that it is a strong spirit. For a 40% ABV it surely feels more potent. And it also has a long finish which lingers with a slightly buttery texture on your tongue.

Verdict

So the biggest question is how is The Glenwalk Blended Scotch Whisky? I think it is interesting. It offers a scotch flavour at a very attractive price for the consumer, where some of the most popular Indian premium whiskies are positioned. Yes for the price of Rs. 1550 in Maharastra it isn’t the best premium scotch experience, but there is enough here to make you want to try it atleast Once. Yes but this is only available in Maharastra currently, so that might be its drawback because it has the potential to be a lot cheaper when it goes to the other states.

So if you are able to get this then surely taste it and tell us in the comments how you felt.

How Women are Disrupting India’s Alcobev Industry: Panel Discussion | INDSPIRIT 2023 |

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Join Anmol Gill, Nita Kapoor, Aditi Chauhan Mukherji and Varna Bhat in a captivating panel discussion on “How Women are Disrupting the Alcobev Industry” at INDSPIRIT 2023. The session was moderated by Dr. Arpita Mukherjee, this insightful conversation explores the influential role of women in shaping and empowering the alcobev industry. Gain valuable insights, discover inspiring stories, and be part of the conversation. Watch now! This session was powered by ISWAI (The International Spirits & Wines Association of India)

In the Panel (L-R): – Anmol Gill, Head of Customer Marketing, Bacardi India & Neighboring Countries – Varna Bhat, CEO, Blisswater Industries Ltd. – Dr. Arpita Mukherjee (Moderator) (Member of Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) – Aditi Chauhan Mukherji, National Head, Defence Sales (CSD&CPC), ABD Ltd. – Nita Kapoor, CEO, ISWAI

Old Monk Amber Review

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Old Monk Rum is one of the highest selling rums in India and has been a fan favourite among rum drinkers for a longtime. And Old Monk Amber is a more refined expression from the same makers. This comes from Mohan Meakins and is priced tag of ₹950 in Uttar Pradesh. The company is also behind the production of Solan Gold whisky and Jamun Dry gin, both of which we have previously reviewed.

What’s Unique about Old Monk Amber?

There are two things that are unique about this Old Monk. First ii its name, called ‘Amber’. Now this word has a number of meanings. In Arabic it means ‘Jewel’, like the word ‘ambar’. In Sanskrit it means ‘the sky’. The second thing that sets Amber apart from its older sibling is the colour. While Old Monk is known for its distinctively dark colour, Amber is named for its more golden hue. The name has multiple meanings in different languages, but I suspect that the colour was the inspiration behind it.

But the real difference between Old Monk and Amber is the blend. Amber is a mix of the classic Old Monk rum alongwith a 20-year-old expression. It is a mellow and matured rum that is unlike anything else on the market. The box proudly proclaims that it is an XO, or Extra Ordinary, rum, thanks to the addition of the 20-year blend.

While there isn’t much information available about the making process of Amber, we suspect that it is not too different from that of Old Monk. Both are made by fermenting cane molasses until bottling. The only difference is that the 20-year blend must be mixed at some point during that time in order to create that matured spirit.

Unboxing and Packaging

the packaging of Amber is distinctive and different. The cartons come in a dark red-maroon colour with the words “20-year-old expression” clearly stated on the bottle. The box also bears the words “Pride of India” and “Mellow and Matured Rum.” It is worth noting that the packaging mentions that the product has added colours.

When it comes to the bottle, the first thing that catches the eye is its Amber colour, which is very clear and apparent. The label is slightly slanted, indicating that it was made by hand, much like the Old Monk bottles. The rum has an ABV of 42.8%, and it is priced at ₹950 in UP. It is made and bottled in the Ghaziabad plant of Mohan Meakins in UP.

Nosing

The rum has a potent scent, and the high alcohol content of 42.8% is definitely noticeable. There’s a subtle sweetness present due to the sugarcane, but no detectable spice notes on the nose.

Tasting

When sipping this rum, one can immediately notice its smooth and refined taste, which belies its potent aroma. The palate may detect a subtle dryness, followed by a long finish that leaves no unpleasant burning sensation in the throat. However, there is a noticeable bite and spiciness on the palate. Despite this, the overall sensation is one of warmth and smoothness, making for an overall enjoyable sipping experience, especially for old monk drinkers.

Conclusion

Old Monk Amber is a premium rum and boasts a smooth texture, thanks to the addition of a 20-year-old malt. Priced at ₹950 in UP, it’s a natural choice for those who appreciate a more refined drinking experience. While it may cost more than the regular version, it’s definitely worth trying at least once. For Old Monk fans, it’s worth giving it a try as they tend to be loyal to the brand. And when it comes to taste, Old Monk Amber rum delivers on all fronts, hitting all the right notes and satisfying the palate with every sip.

Ambrosia Awards 2023

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The Ambrosia Awards 2023, the most coveted accolades in the alcohol industry, are showcased in the video. They are presented by Ambrosia Magazine in conjunction with an esteemed international jury. It should be noted that the awards, host, or businesses featured in this episode do not encourage or endorse the consumption of alcohol.

Platinum Sponsor: SNJ Distilleries Pvt. Ltd.

Gold Sponsor: Beam Suntory

Silver Sponsor: KALS Group

Sustainability Partner: Pernod Ricard

Supporting Partner: ISWAI