In a move that solidifies the premiumization trajectory of Indian craft spirits, Radico Khaitan hosted a high-stakes tasting of its latest prestige expression, Rampur 1943 Virasat. Held within the inner sanctum of ITC Maurya, New Delhi, the event was headlined by the ‘Father of Whisky Commentating’ Jim Murray, author of The Whisky Bible, following his technical visit to the Rampur Distillery.
The Convergence of Terroir and Engineering
The tasting served as a sophisticated explanation of Rampur’s evolving production philosophy, centering on the strategic marriage of Himalayan terroir and advanced distillation engineering. Jim Murray offered a granular breakdown of the expression’s architecture, beginning with the selection of six-row Indian barley sourced from the Himalayan foothills.
A key focus of the technical disclosure was Radico Khaitan’s capital investment in bespoke pot stills. These units are precision engineered to achieve a more refined spirit cut, effectively intensifying the flavor profile while anchoring the robust ‘soul’ that is synonymous with the Rampur identity.
The maturation narrative of Virasat is particularly compelling, starting in American bourbon barrels before transitioning to a finishing period in ruby port pipes. Murray emphasized that the “Indian Advantage”: North India’s extreme climatic oscillation between intense summers and frigid winters—acts as a catalyst, accelerating the aging process to deliver a depth and complexity that would take decades longer to achieve in cooler climates.
A Moment of Affirmation
Abhishek Khaitan, Managing Director of Radico Khaitan Ltd., sees Murray’s visit as a landmark moment underscoring conviction and discipline.
“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.”
Jim Murray’s Assessment
Jim Murray’s assessment underscored a historic shift in quality: “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 old, 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.”
A Milestone In Indian Single Malt Legaccy
With exports reaching over 100 countries and a total capacity of 321 million liters, Radico Khaitan’s organic brand growth continues to set the pace for the Indian IMFL industry. Rampur 1943 Virasat stands as the definitive liquid tribute to this legacy—a fusion of 1943 origins and 2026 technical mastery.
