Tilaknagar debuts ‘Indo-Scottish’ whisky brand
India’s Tilaknagar Industries has followed up its purchase of Imperial Blue over the summer with the launch of Seven Islands Pure Malt Whisky.
Described as an ‘Indo-Scottish style’ pure malt, Seven Islands is a blend of four single malts that have been sourced from both India and Scotland.
Tilaknagar is a leading brandy producer, behind the Mansion House brand, which is the world’s biggest-selling brandy with case sales of 7.8m. The firm is now positioning whisky as its second pillar of growth.
The Maharashtra-headquartered producer acquired Indian whisky Imperial Blue from Pernod Ricard in a €412.6 million (US$485m) deal that completed in July.
Amit Dahanukar, chairman and managing director of Tilaknagar Industries, said: “India’s whisky story is evolving faster than ever, with growing consumer demand for premium and luxury expressions.
“Seven Islands marks TI’s entry into this dynamic category, bringing together Indian craftsmanship and global expertise to create a whisky that is both distinctly Indian and globally competitive.
“With whisky commanding over 60% of India’s spirits market, expanding into this category was the next natural step for us.”
New direction for Indian whisky
To create Seven Islands, Tilaknagar blended four single malts. Two were sourced from the Himalayan foothills and the Vindhya Range of India, and the other two came from Speyside and the Lowlands in Scotland.
With single malts shaping premium growth and controlling the discourse for Indian whisky over the past few years, Tilaknagar said Seven Islands offers a ‘new direction’ for the category.
The technique is described by the company as a potential ‘what’s next’ for Indian whisky. The style draws from two different regions, incorporating both climates and traditions for a unique profile.
Seven Islands’ aroma brings tropical fruits, dried nuts and hints of French and American oak layered with Indian spice, while the palate is described as ‘full-bodied and balanced’, with notes of dried fruits, soft spice, a creamy texture, and a touch of smoke.
The finish is long, smooth and warm, with lingering notes of oak, spice and dried fruits.
The brand takes its name from the archipelago of seven islands that once formed the city of Mumbai, Tilaknagar’s home.
The islands are referenced in the bottle design with fine cartographic lines, while the converging lines for the bottle’s V-cut neck represent the coming together of Indian and Scottish malts. An anchor motif nods to Mumbai’s maritime heritage.
It has an ABV of 42.8% and is available in Maharashtra for INR 5,200 (US$59).
Tilaknagar Industries’ marketing manager, Sanaya Dahanukar, added: “Seven Islands reflects our vision for House of TI, our new vertical, which includes our premium portfolio and investment arm. House of TI was created to shape our premium and craft-led portfolio, beginning with Monarch Legacy Edition.
“With Seven Islands, we wanted to bring a new perspective and style to Indian whisky. It felt like the right way to introduce something distinctive, and a meaningful step forward for us as we expand into the whisky category.”
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