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Uttar Pradesh increases license fee, sets excise revenue target at Rs. 40,000 for 2022-23

Uttar Pradesh became the first state to announce its excise policy for the year 2022-23, setting an excise revenue target of Rs. 40,000 crore, up from Rs. 34,500 crore in the previous year. To achieve the target, one of the routes the UP government has taken is to increase the license fee across all categories. The increase ranges from 20% to a whopping 172%, depending upon the nature of license.

Revenue Target

The UP government collects 20% of its annual revenue from excise, however in the last two years, due to Covid, there has been a dip in the collection of excise from the set targets. In 2020 -21 targetted revenue was `37,500 crore which was reduced to Rs. 34,500 crore in the current financial year (21 -22) against which by this year end the expected revenue collection is Rs. 36,000 crore. Considering the positive trends and situation becoming normal the UP government has fixed an optimistic revenue of Rs. 40,000 crore. This is 16% more than the revenue target of 2021-22. The breakup of revenue planned for 22-23 is shown below :

Avenues for Revenue

Licence Fee

To achieve Rs. 40,000 crore, it has increased the licence fee and security amount across all categories of licences. Some of these licences are shown below:

Besides the above mentioned increase, the processing fee for these licences has been increased to `1.0 lac as against Rs. 55,000 for each application.

Brand & Label Registration Fee

Label registration is very tedious work which the entire beverages alcohol industry has to indulge in every year by compromising manufacturing and supplies till new labels are registered. Manufacturers spend a good amount of productivity of its people besides paying the stipulated fee. The industry feels it is difficult to understand the reason for this increase every year. Under the new excise policy, this fee has been increased from 33% to 90%.

Excise Duty

There is a very nominal increase in the Pratifal fee of IMFL. This increase will be between 0.75% – 1.50% maximum per case of 9 litre depending upon the Liquor category (Economy, Medium, Regular, Premium etc.). Similarly for beer the Pratifal fee has been increased by Rs. 1 per litre. At least this is a relief to the industry which has a direct impact on fixation on MRP.

Country Liquor – The Milking Cow

Due to high sales, massive production stakes with minimal import allowed from outside state, country liquor (CL) has always been top priority for various state excise departments. CL’s contribution in overall excise revenue ranges between 45% – 50% every year and therefore a lot of effort is made to safeguard this major chunk of revenue. The UP excise has therefore initiated following steps to ensure its revenue of Rs. 19,140 cr. for the fiscal 2022 -23;

Reducing MRP by Rs. 5 per unit of 200 ML
Removal of Covid cess
a) Not increasing the excise duty
Removing 42.8% v/v MASALA CL . Now there will be only two types of MASALA CL i.e. 36% & 25% v/v
However 42.8% v/v UPML shall continue to sell at reduced MRP

It is very interesting to note that the same UP Govt and state excise department which had become very strict on changing the packaging norms of country liquor last year has changed its decision in just a couple of months . After two subsequent hooch tragedies in western UP in early 2021, the alternatives of the CL in PET bottle were being discussed at high levels of government and in the months of July – August 21 pressure was mounted on the industry to source aseptic brick carton filling machines aka Tetra Pack machine since this kind of packing is considered as 100% tamper proof. In fact few circulars were issued to industry to start supplying at least 20% of CL in Tetra Pack immediately. There was much hue & cry in UP’s distillery sector because there is hardly any manufacturer of this type of filling machine in India and import of this machine can take minimum 90 – 120 days’ time. In the new excise policy this condition has been replaced from Tetra pack to glass bottle packing having a shrink wrap on the cap. This will certainly give a boost to Firozabad (UP) glass industry which has been requesting the government to provide a platform for its revival.

Wine: Still a Mirage

The total excise revenue generated through wine sales in 20 -21 was only Rs. 9.68 crore out of total revenue generated of approx. Rs. 30,000 crore. Wine’s revenue contribution increased to Rs. 29.54 crore in 2021-22 of Rs. 34,500 crore. The growth in wine sales in UP has phenomenally increased by 200% in just one year which clearly shows the scope and opportunities for wines. The increase of revenue is directly proportional to consumption.

At the moment there is not a single winery in UP and to boost the wine industry the government is continuing with its endeavour as provided in its last years excise policy by :

Exempting wines produced in UP from all types of excise duty & levy for a period of another four years
Allowing vintner to sell wine in a store inside the winery by paying a small annual fee of `50,000 for a year
Allowing wine taverns inside the winery.
A licence fee of Rs. 57,500 for establishing a winery in UP

The new excise policy also indicates towards a separate new wine policy being prepared. It is suggested that the UP government establish a wine promotion board on the lines of the Karnataka Wine Board which is headed by a knowledgeable and senior IAS officer and other administrative officers who closely work with wine industry to find our more and more avenues for increasing wine production and consumption. Associations and federations like the Indian Wine Academy should also come forward to tap this potential.

Ease of Doing Business

We can see some steps the U.P. government is taking for ease of doing business in the excise policy. Some of these initiatives are:

Annual licence fee for home/personal possession of liquor licence has been reduced to Rs. 11,000 from Rs. 12,000 from last year and the refundable security amount has also been reduced to Rs. 25,000 from earlier Rs. 51,000.
Wine manufacturing and selling soaps as mentioned.
No increase in bar licence fee.
Microbrewery can sell/supply craft beer in 50 litre kegs.
Wholesale licence can store stocks w. e. f. 15th Feb.22 meant for next excise year.
Renewal of retail shops is permitted.
No increase in any licence fee and excise duty for defense forces establishments in UP.
Rs. 50,000 will be given as discount on the licence fee if bar & microbrewery both licences are applied simultaneously.
Track & Trace system to be extended to the retail sales.

Analysis By: Gopal Joshi

Strategist & Consultant

Beverages Alcohol Industry

linkedin.com/in/gopal-joshi-78a2a33

Baileys predicts the mouth-watering treat trends for 2022

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Global Brand Director, Jennifer English, looks at the trends which are set to take the world of treats by storm and why less but better, kindness, and mother nature will be inspiring how we treat ourselves this year.

The uncertainty and unpredictability of the last two years has seen consumers look for moments of spontaneity and joy in their lives, more than ever before. Gone are the days where treats are seen as frivolous luxuries, people now see them as essential parts of a balanced joyful lifestyle.

Over the last few years, we’ve repositioned Baileys as a year-round adult treat and successfully established it within the treating and indulgence category which is forecast to grow by £302 billion by 2025.

While once seen as a cream liqueur enjoyed only on special occasions, we’ve inspired consumers globally to get creative with Baileys all year round, from drizzling over ice cream in summer to adding a splash to your hot chocolate in winter. During lockdown, as home baking soared, Baileys was added to banana cake drizzle, dalgona coffee, mochi ice cream and more, as consumers looked for new ways to add a touch of indulgence to their sweet treats.

So, what’s next? Working with food futurologist, Dr. Morgaine Gaye, and renowned chefs, bakers, journalists, writers and food stylists from around the world, here are the macro trends that will impact the scrumptious treats we’re set to see and taste in 2022.

Less but better: 2022 is going to be all about indulgences that are meaningful – spending a little bit extra on more premium treats. Think along the lines of treating yourself to a beautifully crafted barista coffee or the ‘fancy pants’ chocolate rather than impulsive till point purchases. We want to make sure our treats are as meaningful as possible. It’s all about quality over quantity.

Taste of kindness: We’ve all seen the importance of kindness in recent times. And there’s no better way to express kindness than through the act of giving. But our need for kindness doesn’t stop at turning up at a friend’s house with a homemade brownies or box of cupcakes – we’re going to be looking for foods that are made with compassion, be it cocoa from a B-Corp chocolatiers or a Fairtrade coffee. We want to celebrate the spirit of community.

Inspired by Geo-Nature: Treats are about to get visually exciting – we want a feast for the eyes, as well as our bellies. A treat for all the senses… foods that glisten with iridescent gold, or mimic nature in the form of flowers, snowflakes and crystals. We’re ready to walk into a brand-new day, with some jaw-droppingly gorgeous treats to mark the occasion.“

Treating in 2022 will reflect our response to the past two years, as we emerge from a time of feeling restricted. We now want to explore our freedom and embrace indulgent fun in our treats, whilst also being mindful of the impact on the planet and how they integrate with nature itself,” says, Dr. Morgaine Gaye.

Bira 91 partners with boAt to launch an exclusive ‘BOOM’ Audio Collection

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Bira 91, one of India’s fastest-growing brands in its category, and boAt, India’s #1 Earwear brand (as per IDC India Monthly Wearables Tracker, November 2021 release) have come together to launch an exclusive ‘BOOM’ audio collection that is high on both functionality and aesthetics. The ‘BOOM’ collection will include the brand’s quirky yet powerful Stone SpinX 2.0 and Stone 190 making them the perfect party companions. For those who enjoy music in their own space, this collection will also come with boAt Rockerz 450 Headphones.

The ‘BOOM’ collection has been intricately curated for consumers who are bold and expressive, and don their wearable accessories as an extension to their personality. It seamlessly integrates the daring colour palette and the striking design of Bira 91’s ‘BOOM’ variant with the fashion-forward aesthetically designed boAt portfolio. The limited-edition collection is expected to be nothing less than the go-to style statement accessory of the season.

To bring alive the central theme of music that resonates with both brands, Bira 91 crafted a special music track for this collaboration called ‘Get Set BOOM’. The high-energy video paints a picture of the perfect weekend, with music bringing friends together in an ultimate house-party setting. The playful and upbeat lyrics and strong visuals are complemented with subtle integrations of the audio collection and other brand merchandise to create the ‘party vibe’ like never before.

Commenting on this epic partnership, Ankur Jain, CEO and Founder, Bira 91 said, “Beer and Music are a match made in heaven, which is why we are thrilled to announce our partnership with boAt. At Bira 91, we have been partnering with several like-minded homegrown brands, to provide unique experiences to our consumers. And this association with India’s largest earwear brand is another step in that direction. The launch of the limited-edition collection of ultra-stylish audio devices helps both brands deliver on their consumer promise of quality and innovation. Our endeavour at Bira 91 is to become a lifestyle brand and we have been building a dynamic portfolio of products at the Bira 91 Merch Store. This partnership with boAt takes us a step closer towards that goal.”

Commenting on this association, Aman Gupta, Co-Founder and CMO, Imagine Marketing Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are elated to partner with Bira 91, a brand that is playful, creative and resonates well with our brand ethos. We aspire to launch the most unique, vivid and quirky products in the Indian market and the BOOM collection showcases our ideology really well. We hope our boAtheads enjoy using these products as much as we did designing them.”

The BOOM collection will be available exclusively on Bira 91’s Merch store and the boAt website starting 20th January.

ISWAI propagates rationalisation of duties and policies

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Ms. Nita Kapoor, CEO, International Spirits and Wines Association of India ( ISWAI, gives a holistic view and shares insights on various issues the industry faces on account of high taxes, inflation, and interstate duties. The way forward is E-commerce, low duties via the FTA route, Maharashtra State duty cuts, Delhi Excise Policy model and premiumisation of liquor.

What role has ISWAI played to boost the interest of its members?

ISWAI is an apex body of the premium alcobev sector, promoted by multinational alcoholic beverage companies having investments and business operations in India. Founded in 2004, ISWAI strives to transform the Indian spirits and wines industry, upholding the highest level of quality, responsibility and ethical business practices.

ISWAI is actively engaging with state government and policymakers and committed to a supportive, predictable, harmonised, and progressive policy environment that enables member companies to thrive in India and build economic value for the States where they operate. ISWAI and its members advocate for responsible alcohol consumption by creating conversations about the negative impact of misuse, spurious and counterfeit products, illicit products, drinking and driving, and underage drinking.

Members of ISWAI include global leaders in both the spirits and wine industries, like Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Brown Forman, Campari, Diageo-United Spirits, Moet Hennessy, Pernod Ricard, and William Grant & Sons. Taken together, ISWAI’s members account for a substantial part of the revenue generated from alcoholic beverages across the country.

How have the international beverage companies coped with the Covid phenomenon?

Covid-19 has affected almost all businesses across sectors. The alcobev brands manage disruptions caused by Covid by focussing on efficient supply to ensure stock availability. The service of outlets is in line with the lockdown timings and guidelines laid down by each state. The alcobev companies also urge the state governments to consider home delivery of alcobev products as a regular service. It will minimise the disruption of retail businesses and improve job opportunities at the last mile route to consumers.

What is the strategy being adopted by the international beverage companies post-Covid?

In addition to what we mentioned above, ISWAI and its members engage with the state governments through regular consultations, which are essential to forging a predictable and progressive policy framework.

We have also seen a trend of premiumisation in the alcobev sector, which has further accelerated during the pandemic. The alcoholic beverages consumers are opting for better and premium quality brands. At-home consumption is paving the way for home delivery, social acceptance, and a rise in women consumers on account of home delivery during the pandemic.

Besides this, we are already seeing trends play out with consumers experimenting with craft gin, red wine and ready-to-drink (RTDs), which are anchored on differentiated and low alcohol content.

Do you see other states following suit by cutting duties like Maharashtra did?

West Bengal has already reduced its duties, and yes, we would expect other states to rationalise the additional duties on Bottled In Origin (BIO) products as a 150% customs duty is already levied, and any additional tax is a ‘tax on tax’ that artificially inflates the price of BIO products making it unaffordable for the consumer and thereby creating economic leverage for the counterfeit and spurious products. The reduction of duty in Maharashtra will lead to curtailment of counterfeit products, improve state revenues on account of minimal cross border inflow of spurious products.

The alcobev industry in India is witnessing significant changes influenced by a global culture leading to a trend towards premiumisation. Indian consumers are increasingly opting for ‘Bottled in Origin’ (BIO), and geographical indication (GI) tagged niche products, which carry a stamp of premium quality. The Maharashtra government has taken cognizance of the emerging growth trends of BIO in the alcobev segment and the importance of GI-tagged products, which is commendable. The decision by the Maharashtra government to halve the duty on imported alcoholic products (from 300% to 150%) will bring price rationalisation, disincentivise, if not eliminate, inter-state product smuggling, and increase volume offtake, thereby boosting the state excise revenue.

How is the Delhi government’s new policy likely to impact the international alcoholic beverage companies?

ISWAI believes that extended hours for on-premise alcobev outlets, reduction in the number of dry days, super-premium vends, an overhaul of consumer experience by privatising retail, auctioning of retail outlets, are all steps in the right direction and in keeping with Delhi’s image of a modern and bustling city that caters to a large number of young residents and tourists. It would also provide relief to the hospitality industry that has been hit hard by the pandemic.

As per the new policy, only private liquor shops will run in the city, and each municipal ward has 2-3 liquor vends. The Delhi government’s new policy is a welcome move. It is likely to curb illicit practices by equitably redistributing liquor shops, improving the consumer experience, and reducing corruption besides increasing government revenue. Every liquor outlet in the city will provide a unique walk-in experience to its customers, who will have multiple choices of brands. The entire selection and sale process will be completed within the vend premise.

Is all-around inflation likely to impact the industry?

Yes, inflation has affected the alcobev industry significantly. The triple whammy of suppressed volumes, runaway inflation, and reducing supplier share of the consumer rupee, makes it very hard for alcobev manufacturers to sustain their business operations.

The industry needs a predictable policy, a regulatory overhaul and an inflation-embedded approach to pricing. This would consider various factors such as differences in operating conditions between states, such as state levies, cost of materials, transportation, route-to-market, etc.

For example, the costs of a fast-moving brand in the value segment have increased by ₹60 per case compared to the previous year (A case is twelve bottles of 750ml each).

As per the estimates by the ISWAI, wet alcoholic ingredients, such as ENA and Scotch, are now 5% more expensive than last year, while the cost of packaging materials such as glass bottles rose by 8%, cartons by 37%, and labels and closures by 5% and 15% respectively, in just one year (FY21 and FY22 (est)). Additionally, transportation costs have shot up by 68% between FY18 and FY22.

With most states holding onto the historical lowest EDPs, no price increase leeway has been provided to the industry over the years, resulting in the Indian alcobev sector facing a sustainability crisis.

However, the need of the hour is to allow alcobev manufacturers to seek price increases recognising the supply chain and inflationary pressures. The excise policies of the states need to adjust for inflation.

Do online sales of alcobev products have a future in India?

In a pandemic-induced environment of social distancing, offering home delivery of liquor to curb counterfeit, spurious products, transparent pricing and simultaneously limiting crowding at shops is highly recommended. We believe that if the services are handled maturely by the retail trade and with all the necessary regulations in place, this could become a potential channel for the growth of revenue for states.

ISWAI urges state governments to consider ex-retail home delivery of liquor as a sustainable and long-term model. The state government can consider allowing home delivery to be included as a permanent feature of the excise policies of the states to cater to consumer demands and minimise industry disruptions during the Covid surge. It would enhance livelihood opportunities and unlock the potential of an alternative channel towards state revenues.

Has the premiumisation of liquor grown the sales of foreign liquor?

The premiumisation trend across beverage alcohol has been going on for some time. While Covid-19 has greatly impacted the alcohol industry in 2020, premiumisation appears to continue as consumers adopt new purchasing habits. Disposable income spent on going out to eat and drink before the pandemic was redirected to premium-and-above products for at-home consumption. As per IWSR Drinks Market Analysis data, total sales volume (all alcobev) declined about 29% to 474 million cases in 2020 from 668 million in 2019. Sales of spirits (which include whiskey, gin, vodka, rum and brandy) were down 20% to 277 million cases in 2020. The industry is yet to recover to pre-Covid levels and the jury is out there to confirm the growth of foreign liquor sales.

What is the possible outcome of the FTA between the UK and India?

We are encouraged by the forthcoming outlook shared by the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal and the UK Secretary of State for International Trade, President of The Board of Trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, during the launch of the India- UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on January 13th,2022 in Delhi. The schedule to complete the early harvest agreement in the coming months is what we look forward to. Both ministers assured that the two nations would proactively and regularly engage with each other, deliberating on the trade deal’s scope and coverage.

Mr. Goyal said, “Atmanirbhar Bharat is about opening India’s doors wider so that India engages with the world from a position of strength, on equal, fair & reciprocal terms.” He calls for enhancing sectoral cooperation by addressing market access issues and removing trade restrictions.

Together with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), ISWAI has proposed a reduction in the customs duty, for products above a price threshold, from 150% to 75% immediately, and a final resting rate of 30% at the end of 5 years. Improved market access for Scotch would enable an increasing number of Indian consumers to enjoy these premium products. A similar reduction of duties on Bulk Spirit would also be good for our industry to step up the quality of its products by blending with aged Scotch, step up exports, and increase Indian government tax revenues – a win-win for all.

Dewar’s Scotch Whisky Celebrates its 175th Anniversary

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Dewar’s Scotch whisky marked 175 years of Scotch-making recently. Over the course of these spectacular 175 years, Dewar’s has created some mighty fine products along the way and crafted an unparalleled experience for patrons. The whisky maker has a rich history with over 15 plus products which cater to the premium category. Dewar’s is also widely known for pioneering the double ageing process to serve its drinkers a refined and balanced taste.

Founded in 1846 by John Dewar, the journey of Dewar’s started from a small wine and spirits merchant shop in Perth, Scotland to become a global brand that it is today. John Dewar was so proud of the quality of his blended Scotches that he was one of the first Scotch blenders to put his name on a bottle as a guarantee of quality. In 1880’s, Alexander and Tommy Dewar inherited Scotch whisky business from their father. They divided the responsibility between themselves and embarked on a journey to make Dewar’s one of the fastest growing premium whiskies in the world. In 1890, Master Blender A.J. Cameron joined Dewar’s and pioneered the novel Double Ageing process for greater harmony and extra smoothness to all the Dewar’s blend.

Taking inspiration from Dewar’s first Master Blender- A.J. Cameron’s achieved notes, Master Blender Stephanie Macleod created the Dewar’s Double Double whisky range using an innovative four-step ageing process. The unique taste of this double blended scotch has enabled the brand in winning multiple/several prestigious titles and accolades like ‘World’s Best Blended’ and ‘Best in Class’ among others.

Commenting on the wins, Vijay Dev, Consumer Marketing Lead, Whiskies at Bacardi India said, “This is a significant milestone for Dewar’s! We are elated to be a part of one of the world’s most awarded Scotch whisky, after all double is better. With our commitment to serve the smoothest blend to our consumers, we will be bringing multiple variants like Japanese Smooth and Ultra-Premium Double Double Series 21, 27 and 32 year old to India in the near future.”

Currently at the historical achieve of Dewar’s in Glasgow, Jacqui Seargeant, Global Heritage Manager & Whiskies Archivist, Bacardi has been preserving more than 10,000 items from the rich heritage of the DEWAR’S family including bottles from the 19th century, documenting family photos from company founders, curating museum collections, and fact finding the origin stories of classic cocktails. The archive has inspired bottle designs, brand campaigns, and recipes. While going through the archives, Jacqui came across Tommy Dewar’s Original Highball recipe, which is today whisky drinkers’ favourite cocktail across the globe.

Indri – The Indian Single Malt

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Indri – Trini is the first Single Malt expression to be launched from the house of Piccadily, which will be available to select customers in India, the US and Europe by Christmas this year. Trini has been created by its Master Blender, Mr Surrinder Kumar, who has a rich experience of more than 40 years in the Single Malt Industry. This malt manufacturing powerhouse is also set to bring to us soon some new variants of the exotic Indian Single Malt ‘Indri’.

Indri: A Taste through the Five Senses

Indri is a single malt whisky that is aptly named after the area in which it is situated. It is also synonymous with ‘Indriya’ or the five Indris responsible for Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight, Sound. Indri professes to pleasantly evoke all your five senses and make you enjoy the smooth golden liquid on the palate and the burst of flavours that soon follow. Indri – Trini is the first Indian whisky to be launched using the three-wood expression, ex-bourbon, ex-French wine and PX Sherry casks.

Indri single malt has a tropical good taste and it is not harsh. The name Indri is used very thoughtfully because it reflects the senses used in whisky-making at a distillery. Graeme Bowie, who is the Master Distiller and has 32 years of rich experience in the Scottish Malt Industry.

Flavour Profile of the Whisky

Nose: Hints of black tea, caramelised pineapple with a whiff of oak from the barrel comes forward, followed by vanilla and honey from the bourbon oak and traces of spiced tannins from the European oak, finally topped up with vinous raisin and sweet sherry notes. Gentle and mellow on the nose.

Taste: Elegant richness, smooth and warm on the sides of the mouth. Gentle spice and wood characters come through, followed by nutty flavours and hints of burnt pineapple, citrus and raisins.

Finish: A subtle and balanced finish where each flavour compliments one another without dominating. A smooth and long after taste with sweet fruity flavours coming up from the warmth of the throat, lingering long after.

The All-New Royal Challenge: A Smooth & Rich New Blend

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Royal Challenge Whisky, India’s most aspirational whisky brand that’s known to challenge the norms, recently unveiled its brand-new renovation. The new Royal Challenge Whisky has a completely new liquid and a striking new pack that will stand out on the shelf.

Diageo India has created a truly unique blended whisky dedicated to the spirit of Delhi. The all-new Royal Challenge whisky is a perfect fusion of select imported scotch blended with perfection to deliver a sweet profile and subtle notes of vanilla, that will give the consumers a richer and smoother drinking experience.

With the vision to be an iconic millennial brand, Royal Challenge’s new pack has been re-designed for a premium look-and-feel and an elevated experience – the Lion sigil and red and black colours represent the bold and fearless spirit that the brand exemplifies. Further, with this renewed blend, Royal Challenge has evolved to be the most accessible and preferred brand for the younger generation.

Speaking about the renovation, Ruchira Jaitly, VP of Marketing and Prestige portfolio head said, “Royal Challenge is a brand which has always believed that, to build a better tomorrow, we must challenge the stereotypes of today and reinvent the rules. With the vision to become the first whisky of choice that appeals to the people of Delhi, there was a need to reinvent and offer an experience that perfectly blends into the changing consumer palettes and choices. I am excited with what is in store and look forward to the people of Delhi embracing an all-new refreshed Royal Challenge as they have always done.”

The launch of the all-new pack will look to explore an integrated communication strategy in Delhi that builds on this new positioning.

The phased launch will see the refreshed pack on shelves across the city this Festive season.

Château Fleur Haut Gaussens looking to launch in India

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Château Fleur Haut Gaussens, located in Vérac, not far from Saint-Emilion, is the result of the heritage of a family of winegrowers. It was in 1996 that Hervé Lhuilier created it. Over the years, he has managed to keep a dynamic company, by carrying out work to improve the technical tool. The winemaker now cultivates the 40ha of vines on the property, spread over 27 plots, combining tradition and innovation. Concerned about the environment and the ecosystem have adopted a reasoned management of the vines and are certified Hight Environmental Value level 3.

The wines, recognised throughout the world with numerous distinctions, are worked according to the criteria of the PDO Bordeaux Supérieur. They distinguish themselves by the production of atypical wines. Indeed, offer a modern approach to Bordeaux wine through the production in 400L barrels of varietals wines with an access profile on the fruit such as La Bergeronette a 100% Cabernet Franc, its annual production is around 14,000 bottles.

They obviously offer blended wines. Château Fleur Haut Gaussens produces around 165,000 bottles per year and has been the bestseller for 20 years now. It results from a blend of a majority of Merlot with a hint of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. This is aged at 50% in French oak barrels for 6 months. This is a modern Bordeaux wine that knows how to (re) discover the wines of the region.

Their inventory management allows them to offer you ready-to-drink vintages. Their wines offer a very interesting quality-price ratio, and many partners already trust them in more than 20 countries.

In parallel to their wine activity linked to Château Fleur Haut Gaussens, in 2018 they created “Le Couturier du Terroir”, a trading company attached to their family-run wine estate. They developed a range of wines from different horizons. Thanks to their various hats, they can thus offer their red Bordeaux Supérieur wines Château Fleur Haut Gaussens ranked in the top 5 of the PDO but also entry-level Bordeaux and other products according to your needs.

Oaksmith launched in Delhi

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Oaksmith, India’s First Truly International Blended Whisky, crafted by Suntory’s Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, creator of iconic Japanese whiskies Hibiki and Yamazaki – combines the finest Scotch Malts with the smoothest American Bourbons using world class Japanese blending techniques, bringing the best of East and West to Indian consumers

Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, has launched Oaksmith, India’s first International Blended Whisky in Delhi. After a successful launch in December 2019 in Maharashtra and Telangana followed by rapid expansion in West Bengal, Goa, Assam, Chandigarh, UP and Karnataka, the iconic brand is now available in Delhi with both blend variants – ‘Oaksmith Gold’ and ‘Oaksmith International’. The brand has delivered 300,000 cases since its launch in India.

Oaksmith has been created by world-renowned Shinji Fukuyo, Chief Blender, Suntory, the founding house of Japanese Whiskies – with world-class Japanese craftsmanship, blending high quality Scotch Malt whiskies and smoothest American Bourbons to build a recipe that is unique and designed taking inspiration from the Indian palate. From seed to sip, the whisky is meticulously crafted to achieve a blend like no other resulting in a bold spirit that is rich on the nose yet approachable and well balanced with a bright, smooth and unexpectedly long finish. Launch of Oaksmith Gold and Oaksmith International whisky in Delhi is key to Beam Suntory’s growth strategy, and this expansion signifies the importance of India to the global spirits company.

“We are delighted with the response that the blends of Oaksmithhave received from consumers since it’s launch. The growing premiumisation of the Indian market and the appreciation for finely crafted spirits made this the right time to expand the brand across various markets in India, finally bringing it to the nation’s capital – New Delhi. Delhi’s rich history blended with modernity adorned with touches of its traditional heritage attracts people from across the country and the world. We see a growing opportunity for high quality, world class spirit brands and look forward to receiving the same overwhelming appreciation for Oaksmith Gold and Oaksmith International here,” says Neeraj Kumar, Managing Director of Beam Suntory India.

SWA announces Mark Kent as new Chief Executive

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The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that Mark Kent, former British Ambassador to Argentina, will succeed Karen Betts as Chief Executive, when Karen leaves the SWA later this year.

Mark joins the SWA following more than three decades with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Most recently, he served as Ambassador to Argentina from 2016 to June 2021. He also served as the Ambassador to Thailand, Ambassador to Vietnam, as well as roles at British Embassies in Mexico City, Brasilia and the UK Representation to the European Union.

Commenting on his appointment as the ninth Chief Executive in the SWA’s 110-year history, Mark Kent said, “I am delighted to have been appointed as CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association. As a former Ambassador, I know in what high regard the Scotch Whisky industry and the SWA is held worldwide.

“After a challenging period, I’m looking forward to helping the industry to unleash its full potential and enable people across the globe to discover and enjoy our premium and iconic product. The Scotch Whisky industry has a fantastic history, great stories to tell and continues to innovate. I can’t wait to get started.”

Welcoming Mark Kent to the role, Scott McCroskie, Chair of the SWA Council, added, “I am delighted that Mark will be joining the Scotch Whisky Association, to lead the organisation’s and the industry’s next exciting chapter. Mark brings with him an outstanding depth of experience which will allow the SWA to continue to support the industry’s interests around the world.

“We look forward to working with him as the industry looks to make new ground in key growth markets and build a sustainable future for the industry by continuing our push towards net-zero.”

Mark Kent, who will take up the position in January 2022, will take over from Karen Betts, who leaves the SWA in December 2021 to take over as Chief Executive at the Food and Drink Federation.