Amrut Distilleries: Bangalore and the First Indian Single Malt
Updated: 17 hours ago
Amrut Distilleries is best known for Amrut, the first single malt whisky made in India. The company is based in Bangalore, Karnataka, and the story behind that bottle starts long before whisky became fashionable in India.
In this guide
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Amrut at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | Amrut |
Country and region | Karnataka, India |
Owner / operator | Jagdale family / Amrut Distilleries |
Historical background | Neelakanta Jagdale said that if the product had to pass the test, it should do so in the toughest location. Scotland is the home of Scotch. The brand then spread across Western Europe and… |
Whisky identity | Indian malt whisky matured in a warm climate |
Visitor planning | Check the producer's official site for current tours and operating hours. |
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Where is Amrut and who founded it?
J N Radhakrishna Rao Jagdale set up a company called Amrut Laboratories in Bangalore in 1947, and founded Amrut Distilleries Ltd in 1948 after alcohol licensing eased. Amrut is a Sanskrit word the company translates as Elixir of Life. Today it is a subsidiary of the N R Jagdale Group. The main distillery, built in 1987, stands on a 4-acre site in Kambipura on Mysore Road, about 20 kilometres from Bangalore.
A short history
1949: first brand, Silver Cup brandy, launched in Karnataka
1962: begins supplying liquor to the Canteen Stores Department
1972: Neelakanta Rao Jagdale joins the business, and becomes chairman and managing director after his father dies in 1976
1982: decides to make premium whisky from barley instead of only molasses
1986: Prestige Blended Malt Whisky launched at the Canteen Stores Department
2001: Rakshit Jagdale investigates exporting to the UK, and Scottish consultants Tatlock and Thomson are hired to help refine processes
24 August 2004: Amrut Single Malt debuts in Europe
2010: launched in Bangalore on 4 February and in North America in April
November 2013: reaches Mumbai
Why a launch in Scotland?
Neelakanta Jagdale said that if the product had to pass the test, it should do so in the toughest location. Scotland is the home of Scotch. The brand then spread across Western Europe and Scandinavia within two years.
Production
The Bangalore distillery is labour intensive. The company chose not to use computers or automation so it could provide more jobs, and it employs about 450 people. Barley for the malt is grown in Punjab and Rajasthan and transported about 2,500 km to the distillery.
According to Wikipedia, single malt made up only a small share of output. The company produces about 4 million cases a year, of which roughly 25 percent is blended whisky and about 0.25 percent is single malt. It also makes brandy, rum, vodka and gin.
Climate and ageing
Hot weather makes whisky mature faster in India. The angels' share, the part lost to evaporation, is 11 to 12 percent a year according to Wikipedia, against about 2 percent in Scotland. Master blender Surinder Kumar estimated that one year of ageing in India equals three in Scotland.
Recognition
2005 and 2010: Jim Murray rated the whisky 82 out of 100 in his guides
2010: Jim Murray named Amrut Fusion third best whisky in the world
2019: Amrut Fusion named World Whiskey of the Year and Amrut Distilleries World Whiskey Producer of the Year at the Bartender Spirits Awards in San Francisco
Amrut single malt is sold in 23 countries, including the UK, the United States, Japan, France, Germany and Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Was Amrut the first Indian single malt? Yes, it was the first single malt whisky made in India, launched on 24 August 2004.
Where is Amrut made? At Kambipura near Bangalore, Karnataka.
Who owns Amrut? The Jagdale family, through the N R Jagdale Group.
A family company from 1947
Wikipedia says founder JN Radhakrishna Rao Jagdale set up Amrut Laboratories in Bangalore in 1947, then founded Amrut Distilleries Ltd in 1948. The word amrut is Sanskrit and is translated as nectar of the gods. The company is today a subsidiary of the N.R. Jagdale Group. Its first brand, Silver Cup brandy, launched in Karnataka in 1949.
Timeline
1949: first brand launched.
1962: begins supplying liquor to the Canteen Stores Department.
1982: Neelakanta Rao Jagdale decides to create a premium whisky from barley malt, when most Indian distillers used molasses.
1986: Prestige Blended Malt Whisky launched in the Canteen Stores Department.
1987: the current main distillery built at Kambipura on Mysore Road, about 20 kilometres from Bangalore.
24 August 2004: Amrut Single Malt Whisky debuts in Europe.
February 2010: launched in Bangalore. North America follows in April 2010.
November 2013: launched in Mumbai.
Production and scale, per Wikipedia
The distillery produces about 4 million cases of liquor a year, of which roughly 25 percent is blended whisky and around 0.25 percent single malt.
Barley is grown in Punjab and Rajasthan and transported about 2,500 kilometres.
The company says it chose not to automate, and employs about 450 people at the Bangalore distillery.
Wikipedia cites an angels' share of 11 to 12 percent a year in India, against about 2 percent in Scotland.
Single malt accounted for only 4 to 5 percent of revenue in 2011 to 2012.
Recognition
Wikipedia reports that Jim Murray named Amrut Fusion third best in the world in 2010, and that Amrut Fusion won World Whiskey of the Year and Amrut was named World Whiskey Producer of the Year at the 2019 Bartender Spirits Awards in San Francisco.
Sources and image credit
Sources: Wikipedia articles on Amrut Distilleries and Indian whisky, checked 20 October 2026.
Further sources checked 20 October 2026: Wikipedia article on Amrut Distilleries. Gaps: the official site was not read, so the current core range, ABVs and any visitor arrangements are not listed. Revenue and production figures date from 2011 to 2012 as given by Wikipedia.
Gaps for Filip: single source (Wikipedia, with partly dated 2011-12 figures). Official Amrut site not checked. No stills detail or current visitor information. No cover image added.
What makes Amrut distinctive?
Indian malt whisky matured in a warm climate
Amrut whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Amrut Fusion | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Indian malt whisky matured in a warm climate |
Amrut Indian Single Malt | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Indian malt whisky matured in a warm climate |
Amrut Peated | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Indian malt whisky matured in a warm climate |
The table records named or historical expressions. Exact availability, strength and provenance can change; consult the producer for current details.
Amrut Fusion bottle photograph
Amrut Fusion Indian single malt 50 ml bottle; photograph records an earlier bottle design and does not guarantee current packaging.
Explore related distilleries
Frequently asked questions about Amrut
Where is Amrut located?
Karnataka, India.
Who owns or operates Amrut?
Jagdale family / Amrut Distilleries.
What makes Amrut distinctive?
Indian malt whisky matured in a warm climate.
Which whiskies are documented for Amrut?
Amrut Fusion, Amrut Indian Single Malt, Amrut Peated. Availability varies.
Can visitors tour Amrut?
Check the producer's current tour and booking information; not all sites are open to visitors.
Sources and editorial notes
The original research and reference links have been retained. Current ownership, prices, operating status and visitor arrangements should be reconfirmed.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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