Allied Blenders and Distillers has announced the appointment of globally renowned Scotch whisky specialist Dr. Martin Leonard as consultant for its single malt whisky initiative. The appointment, disclosed under Regulation 30, marks a significant step in the company's entry into the premium whisky segment as India's largest domestic spirits company by volume.

Strategic Appointment and Expert Credentials

Dr. Martin Leonard brings over three decades of experience in the global Scotch whisky industry, covering distillation, maturation, blending, bottling, and supply chain operations. He most recently served as Managing Director of Inver House Distillers, where he led five single malt distilleries in Scotland and oversaw large-scale whisky operations, including inventories of more than 600,000 casks.

Distillery Construction and Investment Details

The construction of the single malt distillery is currently in progress at Rangapur, Telangana, and is expected to be commissioned by Q4 FY26. The facility is strategically located within the largest integrated alcobev facility in Telangana, which also houses an ENA distillery and an IMFL bottling unit.

Management Commentary

Alok Gupta, Managing Director of Allied Blenders and Distillers, emphasized the strategic importance of the appointment: "As we move into the next phase of our single malt journey, Martin's role will be critical in strengthening our technical depth and operational capabilities. His extensive experience across malt whisky production, maturation, and large-scale operations brings valuable expertise to our team."

Dr. Martin Leonard expressed his enthusiasm about the role, stating: "I am pleased to be associated with Allied Blenders and Distillers at this key stage of its growth strategy. I look forward to working closely with the leadership and technical teams to contribute my experience in malt whisky production and operations."

Integration with Backward Integration Strategy

This single malt distillery development is part of the company's broader backward integration investment programs. The initiative includes PET bottle manufacturing, which was already commissioned in Telangana in September 2025, and ENA distillation capacity expansion in Maharashtra. The Rangapur facility represents India's first single malt distillery as part of this comprehensive expansion strategy.

Allied Blenders & Distillers has made a strategic entry into India's fastest growing premium whiskey segment through its subsidiary ABD Maestro Private Limited. The company launched AODH Irish Whiskey at ₹3,950, with superstar Ranveer Singh serving as co-founder and creative partner of ABD Maestro.

Product Launch and Market Entry

AODH Irish Whiskey represents ABD Maestro's strategic expansion into the premium spirits market. The whiskey, whose name means 'flame' in Irish, symbolizes warmth, brotherhood, continuity, and enduring stories. Crafted using signature triple distillation, the whiskey features a bright gold hue with subtle coppery glints and exceptional clarity.

Product Characteristics and Quality

The whiskey reveals notes of vanilla cream, light honey, and toffee from ex-bourbon cask maturation, delivering a smooth and silky palate with an elegant, lasting finish. According to Bikram Basu, Managing Director of ABD Maestro, "AODH Irish Whiskey carries centuries of distilling heritage, while resonating with contemporary palates. Irish whiskey has seen strong growth in recent years and a super-premium, quality product, indexed justifiably higher than the current market players should attract the knowledgeable and discerning."

Market Growth and Expansion Strategy

India has emerged as a key growth market for Irish Whiskey, with exports growing by 57.00% according to the Drinks Ireland 'Spirits 2024 Annual Report'. The country now ranks as the world's fifth-largest market for Irish whiskey, signaling Indian consumers' trend towards premium, authentic products.

ABD Maestro Portfolio and Strategy

ABD Maestro Private Limited serves as the super-premium and luxury spirits subsidiary of Allied Blenders & Distillers. The portfolio includes Arthaus Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Zoya Special Batch Gin, Rangeela Contemporary Indian Vodka, Yello Designer Whisky, Woodburns Contemporary Indian Malt Whisky, Pumori Small Batch Gin, and Segredo Aldeia Café and White Rums. Through its partnership with Roust Corporation, the company has also introduced Russian Standard Vodka to India in Original, Gold, and Platinum segments.

The launch of AODH Irish Whiskey underscores ABD Maestro's agile thinking and future-ready portfolio strategy, reinforcing its commitment to bringing world-class, premium spirits to Indian consumers seeking authentic global provenance alternatives to Scotch whiskey.