New Delhi: Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd (ABD), the company behind Officer’s Choice whisky, is planning to introduce two to three new brands in the next financial year. The goal is to increase its market share in the premium and luxury spirits category from 42% to 50%, according to Managing Director Alok Gupta.
Despite a slowdown in the overall Indian liquor market, the premium and luxury spirits segment continues to grow. Currently, luxury spirits make up just 3% of the 410 million cases sold in 2024 but contribute over 20% of the alcohol industry’s profits, according to industry consultancy IWSR.
Gupta acknowledged that the market is in a “wait-and-watch” phase due to macroeconomic conditions. However, he remains optimistic about the rising demand for high-quality aged spirits. “Consumers are not walking away from the category; instead, they are shifting towards premium and luxury products,” he said.
ABD’s strategy for growth includes launching new brands, acquiring businesses, and forming partnerships to strengthen its presence in the premium-to-luxury market. Key brands such as Officer’s Choice Blue, Sterling Reserve B7, and Iconiq White will drive sales volume, while other ventures will focus on value addition.
The company aims to achieve double-digit growth, translating to a 2-2.5% increase in overall revenue. In the December quarter of FY2024-25, ABD reported a revenue of ₹2,342.1 crore, up from ₹2,074.9 crore the previous year. Profit after tax also saw a significant turnaround, rising to ₹81 crore from a loss of ₹12.5 crore in the same quarter last year.
Currently, whisky accounts for 96% of ABD’s total revenue, reinforcing its dominance in the Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) market.
