Allied Blenders & Distillers (ABD) has secured a significant legal victory in a long-running trademark dispute with John Distilleries. The Madras High Court ruled in favor of ABD, dismissing John Distilleries' petition to cancel ABD's 'Officer's Choice' trademark while simultaneously allowing ABD's petition to cancel John Distilleries' 'Original Choice' mark.

Legal Battle Outcome

The court's decision, delivered on November 7, 2025, marks the conclusion of a protracted legal battle between the two liquor companies over alleged similarities in branding and trade dress. The ruling effectively upholds ABD's rights to its 'Officer's Choice' trademark while invalidating John Distilleries' claim to 'Original Choice'.

Market Impact

Despite the legal victory, Allied Blenders & Distillers' shares closed marginally lower at ₹640.00 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) following the announcement. This slight dip suggests that the market had largely anticipated the outcome or that investors are taking a cautious approach to assess the long-term implications of the ruling.

Financial Performance

Amidst the legal proceedings, ABD has demonstrated strong financial performance. The company reported:

Product Performance

ABD's premium portfolio has shown robust growth, with volumes in its Prestige & Above segment rising 8.40% year-on-year. This performance indicates that the company's focus on higher-end products is yielding positive results, potentially offsetting any market uncertainties stemming from the legal dispute.

Looking Ahead

The court's decision may strengthen ABD's market position, particularly for its 'Officer's Choice' brand. As the company continues to expand its premium offerings, this legal clarity could provide a foundation for future growth strategies in the competitive Indian liquor market.

Allied Blenders & Distillers will need to capitalize on this legal victory by reinforcing its brand presence and potentially exploring new market opportunities now that the trademark dispute has been resolved in its favor.

Allied Blenders & Distillers (ABD), a prominent player in the Indian spirits industry, has announced a growth strategy focused on premiumization, portfolio expansion, and increased marketing investment. The company aims to achieve double-digit growth in sales volume over FY26-FY27 through a multi-faceted approach.

Premiumization and Portfolio Expansion

ABD's growth strategy centers on premiumization and expanding its product portfolio. The company plans to:

• Launch new brands in the semi-premium and craft segments
• Expand distribution in South and East India
• Improve margins through product mix shifts and cost optimization

Targeting Premium Segment Growth

ABD aims to increase its presence in the Prestige & Above (P&A) segment, setting a target of 50% segment salience by FY28. The company has already achieved 47% salience in this premium category.

Marketing Investment

To support its growth initiatives, ABD plans to boost its Advertising & Sales Promotion (A&SP) spending by 75-100 basis points year-on-year for the next 2-3 years.

International Expansion Plans

The distiller has set international growth targets, including:

• Expanding its presence to 35 countries by Q4 FY26
• Aiming to achieve sales of 1 million cases in Africa by FY28

Financial Performance

ABD's recent financial results are as follows:

Investor Relations Activities

ABD is engaging with the investment community:

• The company conducted a Q2-FY26 earnings conference call on November 6, 2025.
• ABD has scheduled a Non-Deal Roadshow to Singapore and Hong Kong from November 11 to 14, 2025.

As Allied Blenders & Distillers implements its strategy of premiumization, portfolio expansion, and increased marketing spend, industry observers will be watching to see how these initiatives translate into market share gains and financial growth in the coming years.