Rampur Distillery Balances Single Malt, Cognac and Vermouth Casks in Indian Dark Rum Release

(Photo: Rampur Distillery)

Rampur Distillery has recruited an unlikely trio of cask influences to finish off its latest rum.

On Wednesday, the brand unveiled The Kohinoor Reserve Indian Dark Rum, a new expression distilled from cane juice harvested during the North Indian winter season. Before bottling, the rum is matured in a combination of ex-Indian single malt American oak barrels, cognac XO and vermouth casks.

Rampur is an Indian distillery best known for its single malt whiskies.

Playing up the influences, the decanter’s angular design pays homage to the Koh-i-Noor diamond, a centuries-old icon within the Crown Jewels of the U.K. Placed as the centerpiece of the Queen Mother’s Crown in 1937, the Koh-i-Noor is among the largest cut diamonds in the world. 

“We are thrilled to announce the grand unveiling of The Kohinoor Reserve Indian Dark Rum, a true jewel in the crown of the spirits world,” said Sanjeev Banga, president of international business at Radico Khaitan, the parent company of Rampur Distillery. “Crafted with meticulous care and inspired by centuries of tradition, The Kohinoor Reserve Indian Dark Rum embodies the essence of luxury and refinement akin to world-renowned Kohinoor Diamond.”

In the coming months, the new spirit will roll out across global markets including the U.S., U.K., E.U. and Asia at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Rampur Distillery is headed up by Radico Khaitan Limited, the fourth-largest liquor company in India. While its parent company produces everything from fertilizers to soybean oil, Rampur Distillery has historically specialized in primarily whisky, but also rum, vodka, gin and brandy since its inception in 1943.

Within India, spirits like rum fall under the Indian-made foreign liquor classification, a catch-all used to describe any locally distilled spirit other than indigenous beverages like feni and toddy. As the world’s second-largest sugarcane producer, India has a logical step up within the category, producing heavy hitters like Old Monk, Camikara and AKAL chai rum.

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