luxury spirits India | Ambrosia India

Award winning tequila lands in Mumbai, after debuting in the US and Southeast Asia
Co-founded by actor Rana Daggubati, entrepreneur Sree Harsha Vadlamudi and composer Anirudh Ravichander

Loca Loka, tequila brand, co-founded by entrepreneur Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, actor Rana Daggubati and composer Anirudh Ravichander, recently launched in India starting with Mumbai. The brand, which debuted internationally in late 2024 in the US and Southeast Asia has since expanded distribution across multiple markets, is introducing its Blanco and Reposado variants to Indian consumers.

**Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, Co-Founder & CEO, Loca Loka**, **Rana Daggubati, Serial Entrepreneur, Co-Founder, Loca Loka, Anirudh Ravichander, Renowned musician and composer, Co – Founder, Loca Loka,**

Loca Loka was imagined in India and produced in Jalisco, marrying Mexican distillation heritage with Indian creative sensibilities, hence its name: Loca (Spanish for “crazy”) meets Loka (Sanskrit for “world”). Since launch, the brand has earned serious shelf credibility, including medals at international competitions. The India debut signals a targeted push into urban, experience-led retail and on-trade channels.

The brand hosted an exclusive, invite-only tasting and conversation where the three founders explored the nuances of the tequila. Guests were treated to curated serves that spotlighted Blanco’s bright agave-driven notes and Reposado’s oak-kissed complexity, designed both for sipping neat and for premium cocktails that reflect India’s evolving bar culture. This was followed by a later crescendo at a sit down dinner in Delhi and an experiential party in Mumbai.

Loca Loka Blanco and Reposado, that picked up medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025, New York International Spirits Competition, Miami World Spirits Competition and WSWA Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition in Denver, will first appear in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, along with key airport duty-free stores.

“Loca Loka is a business built on craft and clarity that ranges from sustainable agave sourcing to barrel strategy and global placement. India is a market that’s shifting to premium, and our rollout is designed to meet that shift with measured distribution and trade partnerships that respect the category,” said Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, CEO.

Rana Daggubati, added, “Storytelling is the spine of this brand because it’s not just a bottle, it’s a cultural remix. Loca Loka lets us celebrate two worlds at once: Mexico’s terroir and India’s colour and rhythm. The launch will be a narrative in motion.”

“The first sip tells you what careful distillation and intelligent maturation can do. Our Blanco and Reposado are crafted to deliver clear agave expression with layered subtleties making them bottles that perform both on the rocks and in signature cocktails. And here’s a little secret: the yeasts actually ferment better with music. This time, they worked to a playlist of my own tracks. Let’s just say the tasting notes might hit a few unexpected high notes,” 0said Anirudh Ravichander.

Anirudh added Loca Loka is built by entrepreneurs and artists, people who believe in creativity, culture and craft.

Born in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, and crafted under the expertise of third-generation distiller Willy Bañuelos Ramírez, Head of Production at the Jalisco distillery, Loca Loka carries forward a legacy of precision and pride. Joining the founders at the India launch, Willy added, “Bringing Loca Loka to India feels like the most natural next chapter in our journey. India has an instinctive appreciation for craftsmanship, purity, and flavour, qualities at the heart of our 100% agave tequila. Watching Indian consumers explore tequila with such curiosity and confidence is exciting for us as distillers. With Loca Loka, we’re creating a new conversation between Mexico’s agave heritage and India’s evolving, adventurous palate. This launch is a cultural crossover we’re proud to pour.”

The Indian tequila market is projected to grow at double-digit rates amid rising disposable incomes, urban cocktail culture and premiumisation of spirits. The India tequila market reached USD 600.1 million in 2024 and is forecasted to hit USD 1.68 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 12.1%. Industry data also shows that agave-based spirits in India grew by 36% by volume in 2024.

Loca Loka’s India entry will be supported by targeted B2B partnerships across premium bars, hotels and duty-free retail, along with a series of curated tastings and city activations through 2026. The launch programming underscores the brand’s positioning as a premium, culturally fluent tequila that prizes craft, provenance and a high-energy lifestyle proposition.

Rana Daggubati said, “It has been an incredible journey over the past two and a half to three years. We’ve taken this brand across America, the Philippines, Singapore and a handful of other markets—and today, we’re proud to bring it home to India, here in Maharashtra. What started as a wild, almost foolish idea has now grown into something real, a brand with multiple awards and products we believe will stand the test of time.”

At 689 by The Quorum in Gurugram, whisky enthusiasts gathered for an evening with Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible. On the table were two rare releases from Indri: the Founder’s Reserve 11-Year-Old Single Malt and Agneya, both already acclaimed despite limited numbers.

Murray immediately challenged habits. “How many of you add ice?” he asked. A few hands lifted. “Don’t,” he cautioned, explaining that ice dulls aromas and leaves bitterness. Even water, he argued, reduces whisky below strength.

He then guided the audience step by step: warm the glass in your hand, trap aromas until condensation appears, breathe gently from the rim, and never rush the first sip. “Only the second mouthful speaks,” he said, urging guests to chew the spirit, part their lips, and notice how flavours unfold. Balance, he stressed, was key—fruit against oak, sweetness against spice. “A whisky like this deserves an hour.”

The Blender’s Craft

While Murray led the masterclass, the whisky itself reflected the work of Surrinder Kumar, Master Blender at Piccadily Agro Industries Ltd. In a private interaction with Ambrosia, Kumar spoke about creating the Founder’s Reserve 11-Year-Old.

“We worked with six-row barley for a robust spirit,” he said. “Ex-red wine casks from Bordeaux added dried fruits, berries, spice, and tannins.” With nearly 1,500 barrels to choose from, Kumar blended fruity, spicy, and chocolate-led profiles into one balanced expression. “I want first-time tasters to sense that harmony—red fruits, oak, chocolate, vanilla, spice—distinct yet tied together.”

Recognition and Release

The Founder’s Reserve 11-Year-Old is bottled at 50% ABV for India and 58.5% for export. Its profile moves from dark fruits and spice to vanilla, chocolate, and a wine-driven finish.

The release honours Pt. Kidar Nath Sharma, founder of the Piccadily Group, and has earned global recognition: Gold at San Francisco, Platinum in Las Vegas (98 points), eighth at the International Whisky Competition, and medals in New York, Whiskies of the World, and IWSC.

Only 1,100 bottles exist, split between India and select global markets—a rare expression of Indian terroir and craftsmanship.

‘

Tag Archives: luxury spirits India

Loca Loka Launches in India