ABD Maestro Private Limited, the super-premium and luxury spirits subsidiary of Allied Blenders & Distillers , has achieved a significant milestone by winning the prestigious 'Distiller of the Year' award at the 15th Icons of Whisky India Awards 2026. This recognition arrives as the company celebrates its first anniversary, having successfully established a comprehensive portfolio of ten brands spanning distinct categories and expressions.

Major Awards and Recognition

The Icons of Whisky Awards ceremony, held in Gurugram, celebrated excellence across the Indian whisky industry and is widely regarded as one of the most respected global accolades for innovation, craftsmanship, and leadership in alcoholic beverage production. ABD Maestro distinguished itself as the only Indian company to receive this honour alongside six other international players on the global stage.

Company Portfolio and Market Position

ABD Maestro has rapidly built an impressive portfolio reflecting the growing appetite among Indian consumers for premium, globally benchmarked spirits. The company's ten-brand portfolio includes:

• The Collective Limited Edition
• Arthaus Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
• Aodh Irish Whiskey
• Woodburns Contemporary Indian Malt Whisky
• Yello Designer Whisky
• Zoya Special Batch Gin and its flavours
• Rangeela Contemporary Indian Vodka
• Pumori Small Batch Gin and Pink Gin
• Segredo Aldeia Café and White Rums
• Russian Standard Vodka (through partnership with Roust Corporation)

Management Commentary

Bikram Basu, Managing Director of ABD Maestro, commented on the recognition: "India's super premium whisky landscape is evolving fast with consumers showing a clear preference for globally benchmarked expressions. ABD Maestro, just 1 year old, being named 'Distiller of the Year' at Icons of Whisky and the only Indian company to be honoured in this category alongside international players is a defining milestone. It reflects the strength of our portfolio, commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and quality that has underpinned our thinking."

Strategic Significance

The wins at the Icons of Whisky India Awards 2026 mark an important step for ABD Maestro, affirming its role in shaping India's super-premium and luxury spirits landscape. With a sharp focus on innovation, global-quality benchmarks, and curated brand experiences, ABD Maestro continues to strengthen its position as a key player driving India's emergence on the global whisky map.

The 'Distiller of the Year' title serves as both a powerful affirmation of the work undertaken in the company's founding year and a testament to India's growing stature on the global whisky map. The ARTHAUS Blended Malt Scotch Whisky's recognition as 'Campaign Innovator of the Year' acknowledges the brand's approach to engaging India's premium Scotch consumer and its positioning within one of the category's most competitive segments.

Allied Blenders & Distillers Limited has announced a significant leadership change with the appointment of Dr. Pradipta Basu as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Management Personnel, effective April 15, 2026. The appointment was approved by the company's Board of Directors following a recommendation from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Regulatory Filing Details

The company disclosed this development under Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The formal communication was sent to both BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited on April 15, 2026, with reference number 5/2026-27.

Professional Background

Dr. Pradipta Basu brings over 25 years of extensive experience in FMCG and beverages marketing across several reputed organizations. His career spans multiple industry leaders including Radico Khaitan Limited, United Spirits Limited, ITC Limited, Godfrey Phillips India Limited, Alcobrew Distilleries India Private Limited, and HJ Heinz.

In his most recent role as Vice President – Marketing & Business Development at Radico Khaitan Limited, Dr. Basu was responsible for national marketing strategy, portfolio management, P&L ownership, innovation, and driving brand growth across multiple liquor categories. He has extensive experience in managing large national brands, premium and prestige portfolios, integrated ATL/BTL campaigns, product launches, pricing strategies, and agency ecosystems.

Educational Qualifications

Dr. Basu holds impressive academic credentials that complement his professional experience:

Organizational Changes

Following Dr. Basu's appointment as Chief Marketing Officer and the resulting changes in reporting structure, two existing personnel will see modifications to their designations:

Both Mr. Mohta and Mr. Rao will continue in their respective roles as Marketing Directors but will no longer be classified as Senior Management Personnel due to the restructured reporting hierarchy.

Compliance and Disclosure

The appointment details have been disclosed in accordance with SEBI Master Circular No. HO/49/14/14(7)2025-CFD-POD2/I/3762/2026 dated January 30, 2026. The company has confirmed that Dr. Basu is not inter-se related to any Director or Key Management Personnel of the company. The disclosure has been uploaded on the company's website at https://www.abdindia.com/ and communicated to both stock exchanges where the company is listed.