In December, a brand new Indian whisky, Rampur, will be released in Sweden at Systembolaget.
Rampur Distillery is the original name for Radico Khaitan, which is India's fourth largest liquor company. They launched their first single malt for export 2016, and now it comes to Sweden. I got an interview with Sanjeev Banga, President International Business at Radico Khaitan.
Hello Sanjeev. Can you please tell me about Radico Khaitan.
Radico Khaitan Ltd is one of oldest and largest Indian beverage alcohol company. It was established in 1943 and we celebrate our 75 years next year. We got in to the branded business in 1998 and 8PM was the first Whisky we introduced. In the first year itself, we sold 1 million cases of 8PM - which is a record.
What is your role in the company, and what do you enjoy the most?
I joined RKL 10 years ago and I am working as the President - International Business. Our brands are currently available in over 75 countries and markets leaders in their categories in most cases. This gives me tremendous satisfaction. Innovation, creativity and freedom BUT with accountability is what I enjoy the most in my role.
What is it that make Rampur whisky special in your opinion?
Our malt distillery is 25 years old and we have been carefully maturing our malts since then. It was only last year that our Master Blender shared with us this brillant malt and we decided to bottle it. RAMPUR is a very easy drinking single malt. Lot of fruity notes and gives a refreshing feeling. It is not a complex malt and you want to keep drinking it.
Favourite moment in your whisky career?
At the launch of RAMPUR in Las Vegas in 2016, Mark Gillespie - the well known Whisky writer and journalist, tasted the product and fell in love with it instantly and compared it to one of the world renowned 25 year old Single Malt. That was an amazing moment.
What is your opinion on the trend of NAS whisky?
We strongly feel age is just a number. The most important thing is that the consumer should like the liquid and enjoy it.
Have you tried any swedish whisky? If so, what did you think of it?
Unfortunately not so far but pretty soon.
Do you have any whisky advice for my readers?
Enjoy your Whisky in whichever form you like it !!!
Finally, anything you would like to add?
We believe in "Liquid to lips and lips to Heart !!!"
All pictures belongs to Radico Khaitan and Rampur Distillery©
Thanks to Sanjeev for his cooperation.