Tag Archives: Indian Spirits

Piccadily Targets 1 Million Cases of Whistler Barrel Whisky in 3 years

Relaunches Whistler Barrel Aged Blended Malt Whisky
Positioned in mid-premium segment

Piccadily Agro Industries Limited has relaunched Whistler Barrel Aged Blended Malt Whisky, featuring new packaging and premium blend.

Piccadily said that Whistler’s new avatar is a celebration of barrel ageing, maturation and the art of blending. The finest matured malt and grain spirits have been handpicked and aged in oak wood barrels, creating a whisky that’s smoother, more elegant and even more memorable than before, it said. Inspired by the Whistler Warbler, a vibrant songbird native to the region of Indri, the packaging reflects the whisky’s premium ethos with a modern and sophisticated design.

The relaunched Whistler expression offers a more layered and complex drinking experience—crafted for today’s evolving palate, yet grounded in traditional whisky-making excellence.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Warm and inviting, with dried apple and apricot at the forefront. Vanilla cream and caramelised malt add delicate sweetness, complemented by toasted oak, cinnamon, and floral hints.
Palate: Silky and well-rounded with a rich malt core. Notes of toffee, pineapple, and vanilla glide through the sip, underscored by gentle spice and warmth.
Finish: Medium to long, leaving a graceful trail of mellow sweetness and soft refinement.

Whistler Whisky (750 ml / 42.8% ABV) will be available across premium retail outlets and on-trade venues across India, with plans for export expansion in the coming months, the company said.

“Whistler’s new premium look is more than a brand refresh — it’s a strategic play to capture the next wave of premium whisky consumers,” said Praveen Malviya, CEO – IMFL, Piccadily Agro Industries Limited. “With its elevated blend and bold new identity, Whistler is poised to disrupt the mid-premium segment. Our goal is ambitious — 1 million cases in the next three years — and we’re confident Whistler will become a powerhouse brand that redefines what Indian blended malts can achieve.”

Piccadily Launches Cashmir – A Small-Batch Luxury Vodka Made with Heritage Indian Wheat

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Piccadily, the makers of Indri single malt and Camikara rum have launched Cashmir, a small-batch luxury vodka crafted from heritage Indian winter wheat and glacial water from the Kashmir Valley.

The vodka is made using organic, non-GMO, and non-hybrid wheat and is distilled seven times to achieve a smooth and clean profile. The use of water sourced from Kashmir also enhances its purity and taste say the makers. The vodka draws inspiration from the region’s natural and cultural elements, including the saffron fields Dal Lake, and local craftsmanship. It reflects Piccadily’s continued effort to create premium Indian spirits rooted in provenance and quality.

The vodka is developed by Surrinder Kumar, Piccadily Master Blender and says that Cashmir is a personal tribute to Kashmir, designed to reflect its natural purity and heritage. Praveen Malviya, CEO (IMFL), added that the launch marks Piccadily’s entry into the vodka category as part of its growing premium portfolio.

Tilaknagar Industries PAT jumps 95.7%; EBITDA grows 62.6% in Q4 FY 25

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IMFL manufacturer Tilaknagar Industries Limited (TI) has reported a major spurt in revenue and profit for Q1 2025. The company’s net revenue from operations grew 13.1% from ₹359 crore to ₹406 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. While the profit after tax (PAT), excluding exceptional items, showed a growth of 95.7%, rising to ₹77.35 crore from the ₹39.52 crore reported in the year-ago period.

TI reported a 62.6% growth in EBITDA from ₹48 crore to ₹78 crore in Q4 FY24, and they attribute this to improved operational efficiencies and volume-led growth,. Adjusted for subsidy income, the EBITDA stood at ₹65 crore, a 35.5% Y-o-Y growth.

The EBITDA margin registered a growth of 588 basis points; rising from 13.4% to 19.3% during the period under reference. In Q4 FY 25, the company recorded a volume growth of 20.1% Y-o-Y, signaling a strong return to its growth trajectory. This performance was reinforced by the successful completion of the Andhra Pradesh Route to Market (RTM) transition, which had previously impacted volumes. The company also reported significant market share gains across all key states, further reinforcing its competitive position in the Indian IMFL landscape.

Speaking on the performance, Amit Dahanukar, Chairman & Managing Director, Tilaknagar Industries said, “We anticipate sustained momentum, supported by continued market share gains across all major Southern states.”

For FY25, TI reported consolidated net revenue of ₹1,434 crore, up 2.9% Y-o-Y, impacted by a price reduction in Andhra Pradesh and muted volume growth in the first nine months. Despite modest growth in net revenue, EBITDA rose by 37.4% to ₹255 crore while PAT surged 62.9% Y-o-Y to ₹230 crore.

In FY25, TI made further progress in reinforcing its balance sheet, reducing gross debt and achieving a net cash position of ₹107 crore as of March 31, 2025. The Board of Directors has recommended a dividend of ₹1 per equity share for FY25.

During the year, TI strengthened its market presence, maintaining its position as the third-largest player in the Prestige & Above (P&A) IMFL segment in Telangana and Karnataka and the largest IMFL player in Puducherry, reflecting strong brand equity and deep market penetration. Additionally, TI has commenced distribution of the Spaceman Spirits Lab (Spaceman) portfolio, including Samsara Gin, in select markets. This follows the usership agreement signed between Spaceman and TI, marking a strategic step towards expanding TI’s presence in the premium craft spirits segment.

Tilaknagar Industries Launches Green Apple Flavoured Brandy

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Tilaknagar Industries Limited, a leading Indian-Made Foreign Liquor Manufacturer (IMFL), has unveiled a new flavour innovation under its Flandy (premium flavoured Brandy) range. Mansion House Flandy has now been launched in an all-new Green Apple flavour in the state of Telangana, to begin with.

Mr Amit Dahanukar, Chairman and Managing Director, Tilaknagar Industries said, “Our Mansion House Premium Flavoured Brandy is a category-first innovation. It has been well-received across markets and its saliency, as a percentage of Mansion House Brandy in relevant states, has grown significantly. The launch of the all-new Green Apple flavour is a testimony to Flandy’s strong performance since its introduction in FY23, and is in line with our plans to further enhance our premium Brandy portfolio while strengthening our regional foothold.”

TI has seen very encouraging response to its Flandy range in the state, aiding the Company’s jump to become the fourth-largest IMFL player and the third-largest IMFL Prestige & Above (“P&A”) player, in Telangana, in FY24.

Tilaknagar Industries, which is one of India’s largest manufacturers of premium Brandy, had earlier rolled out its Mansion House Flandy range in Orange, Cherry and Peach flavours. Telangana is one of the prominent IMFL markets and has one of the highest Prestige & Above (“P&A”) segment with over 50 per cent saliencies across IMFL industry in India. It is estimated that the Brandy P&A segment in the state has grown by 18 per cent in FY24, as compared to almost 8 per cent growth in IMFL P&A segment over the same period. Additionally, in terms of flavours, Green Apple is the largest selling flavour in the flavoured spirits category in the state, providing a large canvas to the brand to gain market share.

First movers in premium flavoured brandy

Mr Ahmed Rahimtoola, Chief Marketing Officer, Tilaknagar Industries said, “We are first-movers in the premium flavoured Brandy category in India. In addition to this, an elevated demand for flavoured drinks and the predominant cocktail culture trend gives Tilaknagar Industries a competitive advantage across markets. The new Green Apple variant of Mansion House Flandy is another step by TI to enrich consumer experience and drive growth.”

The Mansion House Flandy range has a unique blend of natural fruit flavours. The latest offering has been infused with sweet green apple essence which is complemented by the nuanced richness of oaky undertones, delivering a truly palate-enriching experience to consumers.

In the financial year ended March 2024, Tilaknagar Industries volumes grew 16 per cent, year-on-year, in comparison to the overall IMFL industry growth of 2-3 per cent for the same period, making it fastest growing IMFL company in India for the 2^nd year running.

India stands out as one of the largest markets for Brandy, globally. Within IMFL, Brandy is the second-largest product category, accounting for more than 20 per cent share of the industry by volume. Moreover, the premium Brandy industry in India is expected to continue expanding market share within the overall Prestige and Above IMFL segment.

Founded in 1933 by Shri Mahadev L. Dahanukar as Maharashtra Sugar Mills, the company has nine decades of excellence in the consumer goods category. The Dahanukar family continues to be the promoter of TI sharing the same vision and values as the founders. Under the current leadership of Amit Dahanukar, the company has grown to be the largest manufacturer of premium brandy in India. Its portfolio comprises of two ‘Millionaire’ brandy brands, Mansion House and Courrier Napoleon. TI has presence in whisky, rum and gin categories through Mansion House Whisky, Madiraa Rum and Blue Lagoon Gin.

Radico Khaitan launches Spirit of Victory Pure Malt Whisky

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Whisky is a tribute to the valour displayed by our Armed Forces during pivotal moments in history; company’s commits to contribute part of the revenue from every bottle to the welfare fund of the Indian Armed Forces.

Radico Khaitan Ltd. uncorked the Spirit of Victory, beginning with the Premium XXX Rum in 2017. In 2022 the Lemon Dash Rum was added to the flavoured white rum portfolio. Following these launches in the Rum category, the company has launched its latest Spirit of Victory 1999 Pure Malt Whisky.

***Amar Sinha, COO, Radico Khaitan Ltd.***

The Spirit of Victory whisky is a tribute to the valour displayed by our Armed Forces during pivotal moments in history. This special collection pays homage to the bravery and sacrifices made by our soldiers in the 1965, 1971, and the poignant Kargil War of 1999. What makes this launch special is the company’s commitment to contributing a part of the revenue from every bottle sold to the welfare fund of the Indian Armed Forces. At the helm of this spirited journey is Amar Sinha, the Chief Operating Officer of Radico Khaitan, steering the company beyond being a beverage provider.

The Spirit of Victory 1999 Pure Malt Whisky involves blending different single malts, sourced globally, and expertly mixed with Radico’s Indian single malt to create a drink that is not only outstanding, but carries deep meaning. The story of the such an endevour begins in 2017 with the launch of the 1965 Spirit of Victory Premium XXX Rum.

By 2022-23, it achieved a significant milestone by selling over 1 million cases, receiving Gold Quality Awards for six consecutive years (2018-2023) at the Global Monde Selection Awards. The Spirit of Victory Lemon Dash Rum, introduced in 2022, expanded the line, entering the flavoured white rum territory. Both variants have become favourites, marking the 7th brand of the company to achieve the million- case club in March 2023.

The company is looking at reaching into the hearts and minds of consumers. From the ‘1971 War Chronicles’ animated series to the ‘Battlefield Dossier’ series on the “Spirit of Victory” YouTube channel, these efforts aim to educate the younger generation about patriotism and preserve the inspiring stories of our armed forces.

With the alcohol industry leaning towards premiumisation, the success of the 1965 Spirit of Victory Rum positions Radico Khaitan at the forefront of the premium category, challenging stereotypes and reshaping the industry.