Distilleries are an important business in India that specializes in the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages such as brandy, whisky, rum, etc. They specialize in the process of distillation and have been focusing predominantly on the IMFL or the Indian Made Foreign Liquor. The industry started with the need for alcohol by the British military, and the very first distillery was set up by Carew and Co Ltd, in Kanpur. Some of the key players in the industry and the top ten distilleries in India are as follows.
1. United Spirits
The United Spirits is one of the biggest liquor scoring in India. Some of its signature brands are McDowell, Royal Challenge, Signature etc, which has helped the brand to attain a good positioning in the industry. This brand is a subsidiary of Diageo and is headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka. The company imports liquor, tobacco products, and other consumer goods to India to serve the needs of the British people. It has an in-house Research and Development laboratory and specializes in manufacturing Indian whisky, Scotch Whisky, brandy, rum, gin, vodka, etc.
2. United Breweries
United Breweries Limited is a part of the Heineken Company and is the largest beer-manufacturing company, with its history dating back to the year 1915. It started with 5 breweries in South India and has established itself as a pioneer in the beer industry in India. The company is also renowned for its innovative strategies and is committed to delivering the best times for the users. The brand is known for its extensive product range that encompasses internationally recognized beers. The brand is also known for its packaged drinking water, non-alcoholic beverages, soda, and packaged drinking water. Its signature brands are Kingfisher Strong, Kingfisher Premium, Ultra, UltraMax, etc.
3. Radico Khaitan
Radico Khaitan is one of the most recognized Indian Made Foreign Liquor brands in the country and was initially known as the Rampur Distillery Company. The brand was focused on bottling and distillation for branded players and it also supplies the canteens of the armed forces. The brand has ventured into its own branded IMFL products and launched its signature 8 PM whisky, which made it a millionaire brand within a year of its launch. Its products are made from the finest of grains, and through its triple distilling process, the brand serves as a mark of absolute purity.
4. Sula Vineyards
Sula Vineyards is a vineyard and a winery that is located in the Nashik region of Western India. The brand was founded by Rajeev Samant in the year 1999. The brand has grown to be one of the largest and the most awarded in India. The best feature of this brand is that it introduced grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Zinfandel in India. Two of the best wine brands at Sula Vineyards are Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon and Rasa Zinfandel. The red wine is aged in oak barrels in France for over a year and matures until release. The Rasa Zinfandel red wine matures for about three to four months and comprises of ABV of 14%.
5. Tilaknagar Industries Ltd
Tilaknagar Industries Ltd has mastered the art of brandy making and has mastered its hand in preparing an authentic style of brandy. Being an expert distillery, they have mastered the process of winemaking by special hand picking the grapes, using the coal-fired French pot stills, and maturing the liquor in the Oak casks to manufacture premium brandy. Its production unit is located among the best grape harvesting areas in Maharashtra and is among the finest brandy-producing units in the country. They have state-of-the-art equipment, and its distillery is capable of producing over 150 KLPD. By following the standard operating procedures and quality control processes, they meet global quality standards.
6. Globus Spirits
The Globus Spirits distillery was established in the year 1992 and has been engaged primarily in the business of manufacturing and sale of Indian-made liquor. Some of its signature brands are IMFL or Indian Made Foreign Liquor, bulk alcohol hand sanitizer, franchise bottling, etc. The brand has a complete 360-degree straddling model across the complete alcohol value chain.
7. Som Distilleries
Som Distilleries was incorporated in the year 1993 and is one of the leading manufacturers of alcoholic beverages in India. The brand is engaged in the sale and manufacturing of Beer and Indian Made Foreign Liquor. Som has always been offering the best quality products to its customers and also offers high-quality assurance by maintaining international standards for its products. The brand keeps performing its research to enhance product quality.
8. G.M Breweries
G.M Breweries have been engaged in the activities of manufacturing and marketing alcoholic beverages such as country liquor and Indian made foreign liquor. The brand aims to offer the finest quality of country liquor to the common people, who savor its taste at the most affordable cost possible. The company has been growing at a steady rate and has earned itself a very dedicated customer base. Being the largest manufacturer of country liquor in Maharashtra, the brand has a sizeable market share.
9. Associated Alcohols and Breweries Ltd
The brand started its operations in the year 1989 and has been a leading supplier of IMIL to the Government of MP. They were the first in the country to make potable alcohol with a capacity of 314 lakh liters of ENA. Apart from being a leading producer of domestic liquor, they have been an efficient manufacturer of global liquor brands. The brand has been leveraging on a long standing culture of manufacturing competence that is benchmarked in the global standards.
10. IFB Agro Industries Ltd.
The top ten distilleries in India function in their state-of-the-art facilities for monitoring quality and ensuring quality assurance. They have been building lasting relationships with their customers, employees, suppliers, and shareholders. All of them are global leaders in alcoholic products with an extraordinary collection of spirits and beer.
