New
Delhi, February 12, 2026 : Radico Khaitan, one of India’s largest
spirits companies, hosted an exclusive tasting of its recently launched Indian
single malt, Rampur 1943 Virasat, led by globally renowned whisky expert,
connoisseur and author of The Whisky Bible, Jim Murray. Held in the very
exclusive quarters of ITC Maurya, New Delhi, the event followed Murray’s visit
to the Rampur Distillery and showcased the craftsmanship behind the expression
while reflecting the growing international interest in Indian single malts.
The
tasting session saw Jim Murray guide spirit enthusiasts through the making and
maturation of Rampur 1943 Virasat. He highlighted how the expression derives
its distinctive character from six-row Indian barley grown in the foothills of the
Himalayas and from newly designed pot stills that preserve Rampur’s core
identity while enabling a more refined profile. Murray also elaborated on the
whisky’s maturation journey, beginning in American bourbon barrels and
concluding with a finishing period in ruby port pipes. He noted how North
India’s extreme climatic shifts, from intense summers to cold winters and
monsoons, accelerate ageing and contribute layers of depth, balance, and
complexity to the spirit.
Speaking
on the occasion, Mr. Abhishek Khaitan, Managing Director, Radico Khaitan
Ltd., said, “Welcoming Jim Murray to experience Rampur 1943 Virasat, and
to share his perspective after visiting our distillery, is a moment of
affirmation. It reflects how far Indian single malts have come over the past
decade, propelled not by circumstance, but by conviction, discipline, and an
uncompromising pursuit of excellence.
As
we celebrate a decade of perfection with Rampur Indian Single Malt, our new
innovation Rampur 1943 Virasat stands as a tribute to our legacy. At the same
time, the introduction of our new pot stills marks a transformative chapter for
us. They are designed to elevate and intensify flavour, crafting a profile that
resonates with a new generation of whisky drinkers, without ever compromising
the soul of Rampur.”
Mr.
Jim Murray, the whisky expert added, “Thirty-years ago
I put Rampur distillery on the whisky map by first visiting it and then writing
about it in my book Jim Murray’s Complete Book of Whisky. The oldest whisky of
this then fledgling distillery was just 18 months, and no decision had been
made to bottle it as a single malt. I strongly encouraged them that they
should: I definitely considered it good enough. Three decades on and I’m
officially now opening their latest stillhouse and tasting a new creation in
Virasat which has stretched their portfolio even wider.
Amazingly,
in the 2026 Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible the nine Rampur single malts I reviewed
scored, on average, 91.9 points out of 100. That’s really some achievement. Having
tasted Virasat, I can’t see that average dropping any time soon.”
The
tasting brought together connoisseurs and industry stakeholders, further
highlighting the increasing recognition of Indian single malts within the
global whisky community.
Rampur
1943 Virasat draws inspiration from the legacy of the Rampur Distillery,
established in 1943, and represents decades of distilling expertise combined
with a contemporary approach to whisky-making. Crafted from select Indian
malted barley and matured under India’s unique climatic conditions, the
expression embodies a harmonious balance of tradition and innovation.
