About Amrut Distilleries - History
The history of Amrut Distilleries is as old as the history of independent India itself. Indeed, just as India is now noted as one of the world’s leading economies, so too is Amrut Distilleries an industry leader. In 1948, as India was taking its place as an independent nation, Amrut Distilleries entered the field of liquor making, with an initial investment of a few lakhs. Today’s success has been made possible by the resolve of successive generations of the Jagdale family to embrace value and quality.
The company’s founder was Shri J.N. Radhakrishna, “J.N.R” as he is fondly known, and under his astute leadership Amrut Distilleries quickly established itself as a significant supplier of Indian Made Liquor (IML) to the military. Amrut Distilleries also grew to be one of the leading suppliers in the state of Karnataka, especially in the old Mysore area.
After the untimely demise of J.N.R in 1976, the mantle devolved to his son, Shri Neelakanta Rao Jagdale, the present Chairman and Managing Director. Building on the solid foundations laid by his late father, his stewardship has seen Amrut Distilleries blossom into a multi-national brand respected as much for the superlative quality of its products as for his campaign for transparent practices by the IML industry.
The Chairman’s penchant for innovation and technology has been the ideal foil for the time-tested traditions enshrined in the company by the founder. From its beginning as single bottling unit catering primarily for the Canteen Stores of the Ministry of Defence and to customers in and around Bangalore, Amrut Distilleries has now grown into a trans-national player. It has:
a) A re-distillation plant to produce superior extra neutral alcohol.
b) Two bottling units – one in Karnataka and one in the neighbouring state of Kerala.
c) Local bottling arrangements in five other states of India – with know-how provided by Amrut Distilleries.
d) A portfolio of dozens of products including several that are appreciated by connoisseurs across the world.
e) An established market spanning the length and breadth of the country
f) A nascent, but burgeoning, market across the European Union, United States and the rest of the world.
Growth in Amrut’s product portfolio and in its market has brought increased financial returns. With a paid-up share capital of Rs. 40 million, Amrut Distilleries has a healthy financial outlook. Accumulated reserves exceed Rs. 340 million, while turnover has grown to Rs. 1800 million a year.
To manage and deliver on its current status as a noteworthy national player, Amrut Distilleries has also taken on board external talent in substantial numbers and today has a thousand-strong workforce of professional and skilled staff.
