Tag Archives: San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Loca Loka Launches in India

Leave a reply
  • 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.”

Amrut Bags Triple Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Leave a reply

Amrut Distilleries from Bengaluru has walked away with several awards at the recently concluded 2025 edition of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). Amrut made history by becoming the only Indian distillery to take home three Double Golds and an additional Gold.

The Double Gold winners are Amrut Fusion Single Malt; Amrut Indian Single Malt; and the Amrut Kurinji Indian Single Malt, while Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt bagged a Gold.

It was in 2010 that Amrut Fusion really put Amrut on the world map when Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible declared Fusion as the third best whisky in the world. Since then, there has been no looking back for Amrut, with the Indian market also standing up and taking notice.

At the San Francisco competition, it was Amrut Fusion which captured the imagination of the judges. Amrut Fusion, the brand ambassador of Indian Single Malt, is sourced from barleys from two distinct regions – Himalayas and peated barley from Scotland. It is distilled and matured separately in both old and new American oak barrels at the Benguluru distillery.

Amrut Indian Single Malt is the backbone of the brand’s identity. Using locally sourced barley and traditional techniques, Amrut captures the essence of the Indian terroir. The Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt offers a layered drinking experience.

The relatively newer Amrut Kurinji has quickly made its mark by portraying a different side of Indian whisky – one that’s unorthodox, adventurous, and expressive. It’s part of a new generation of spirits that aren’t afraid to take risks, much like the independent bottlers that inspired it. Bottled at 46% ABV, Kurinji epitomises the essence of Indian craftsmanship and terroir. Named after the Kurinji flower which blooms every 12 years in the Nilgiri hills, the whisky pays homage to the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Rakshit N Jagdale, Managing Director of Amrut Distilleries, said, “We are extremely pleased to receive this award from such a prestigious forum. It reaffirms that we are crafting spirits of truly world-class repute, and strengthens our resolve in the continued pursuit of delivering exceptional quality to our consumers.”