Top 20 Liquor Companies in India in 2022

The top-selling liquor companies in India are among the largest manufacturers, marketers and exporters of different types of alcoholic beverages. Whether it be whisky, brandy, gin, rum, champagne, wine, beer, or other (hard) beverages that often contain portions of alcohol. The alcohol content in them also varies – from a small quantity (in percentage) to a significantly higher quantity. When liquor is consumed, it can cause tipsy effects on the person. Also, due to its intoxicating effects, there are laws that prohibit minors (below 18 years) from consuming alcohol.

Did You Know?

If taken in a very small proportion, alcohol can provide relief from physical (and emotional) pain. However, it is also made to cause detrimental effects on the mind (psychologically), body and internal organs, particularly in the case of habitual drinking.

It is, therefore, strongly advised to refrain from habitual drinking, for the sake of well-being.

Alcohol Beverages and their Production in India

Alcohol production in India is a mature industry with potable alcohol being produced by a conventional fermentation process. Enzymes are also used in improving the efficiency of the fermentation process thus, resulting in higher yields, reduced waste and lower raw material costs. The process of manufacturing alcoholic beverages is carried out at their respective distilleries, breweries and wineries. The choice of raw materials used in production also differs from one region to another. However, alcohol in general is made from carbohydrate-containing agricultural products like grain, barley, potato, sugarcane, molasses and fruits etc. Beer, Brandy, Wine and Whisky are fine examples.

Whisky, Rum, Gin, Vodka, Brandy, Champagne, Wine, and Beer are common types of alcohol beverages that are available at liquor stores across India. These types of liquor are further marketed under a myriad of home-grown and international brands. In addition, there is the Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) that comprises alcohol beverages which are made locally.

Certain brands of liquor products may not be available in other states of India, as laws are implemented on their supplies.

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Moving on, let us now take a look at some of the top-ranking liquor manufacturing companies whose brands of alcohol products are widely sold across India (and some exported internationally).

List of 20 Top-Selling Liquor Manufacturers of India

The below-given list (sorted in alphabetical order) includes names of twenty best-selling liquor manufacturing companies across India.

1. Amber Distilleries Limited

Brand Portfolio: Rapture Premium Vodka, Summerhill Imperial Whisky, Napoleon D’or Grape Brandy, Doctor Brandy, Blue Fin Vodka, Flavoured Vodka, Armenian Duet Gin, Kubun Rum, Red Rum, and more.

Amber Distilleries Limited is a liquor manufacturing company incorporated in 1985 in Maharashtra and has a license to manufacture Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) issued by the Government of Maharashtra. It plans to enter into a joint venture for manufacturing and marketing arrangements with Indian and foreign MNCs, in addition, to expanding the business for its own brands in India and overseas to utilise optimum production capacity.

The company produces a variety of regular premium and super premium products of IMFL i.e. Blended Whisky, Rum, Gin, Vodka, Flavoured Vodka, Brandy and Flavoured alcohol and non-alcohol products. A few products made by the company include Rapture Premium Vodka, Summerhill Imperial Whisky, Napoleon D’or Grape Brandy, Red Rum etc.

It also caters to civil markets, and Indian Defence Services as well as exports its alcohol beverage products to overseas markets.

2. Amrut Distilleries Limited

Brand Portfolio: Amrut Single Malt Whisky, MaQ Scotch, Prestige Whisky, Bejois Brandy, Amrut XXX Rum, Old Port Rum, Blue Star Dry Gin, Muscovy Vodka, and more.

Amrut Distilleries is listed amongst the popular liquor companies in India, and it is known for its vast brands of home-grown liquor and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) throughout the country and overseas. It is one of the best alcohol companies in India as it produces distilled alcoholic beverages. The liquor brand is also counted among the best-blended whisky in the world.

The company was founded in the year 1948 in Bangalore, Karnataka. J. N. Radhakrishna Rao Jagdale is the founder of this Indian liquor company. The company headquarters is located in Rajajinagar, Bengaluru. This liquor company is popular for its Amrut brand of single malt whisky which is manufactured in India.

Amrut Distilleries is known for its range of Malt Whisky sold under the brand name ‘Amrut Amalgam’, which is among the popular liquor brands in India. The other brands of liquor that are produced and marketed by Amrut Distilleries company are Gold Star Fine Whisky Blended, MaQ Scotch & Blended Whisky, and many more.

3. Associated Alcohols & Breweries Limited

Brand Portfolio: London Bridge Gin, James McGill Whisky, Red & White Whisky, Bombay Special Whisky, Jamaican Magic Rum, and more.

Associated Alcohols & Breweries Ltd (AABL) is one of the largest distilleries in India. It is the flagship company of the Associated Kedia Group founded by the Late Bhagwati Prasad Kedia and incorporated in the year 1989 in Calcutta (now Kolkata). Its distillery is set up at Khodigram, Madhya Pradesh.

The company is engaged in the business of manufacturing the highest-grade liquor, IMFL beverages and bottling Vodka and Scotch Whisky for large reputed international brands. They are also one of the few distilleries bottling single malt Scotch whiskey (Glen Drummond) for the leading Mason & Summers distillery group.

The company has chalked out a huge greenfield expansion plan to capture domestic and international demand and serve all the segments of alcohol ranging from country liquors to IMFL brands. The company’s popular liquor brands include the London Bridge Gin, James McGill Whisky, Red & White Whisky, Bombay Special Whisky and Jamaican Magic Rum.

4. Empee Distilleries Limited

Brand Portfolio: Brihans Napoleon Brandy, Brihans Premium Brandy, Brihans Premium Whisky, All Gold VSOP Brandy, Sixer XXX Rum, Victoria XXX Rum, Citizen XXX Rum, Old Secret Rum, Premium White Rum, and more.

Empee Distilleries is a part of the Empee Group and a well-established South Indian liquor company that was founded by Mr. M. P. Purushothaman & Family in 1970. The group’s core business includes Sugar and Chemicals, Power Generation, Hospitality, Alcoholic Beverages, and Property Development. Empee Distilleries Limited entered into the Beverages and Distillery Industry in the year 1984 by starting the manufacture of IMFL products by means of setting up our first distillery unit at Mevaloorkuppam, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the top Distilleries and Wineries in India.

The company also produces and supplies Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) products under its own brand portfolio as well as under tie-up arrangements with other companies. The brands under the tie-up arrangement are Brihans Napoleon Brandy and Brihans Premium Whisky, besides Golden Bell Brandy, Whisky, Gin and Rum in the other segments.

The brands under Empee Distilleries’ portfolio are Old Secret XXX Rum, Power XXX Rum, Power Brandy, Mc Lene Ordinary Brandy, McLene XXX Ordinary Rum, Power Whisky, Empee Napoleon Premium Brandy, Empee Fine Brandy, Commando XXX Rum, Club Polo Dry Gin, Club Royal Whisky, Elcanso Dark XXX Rum, and Old Secret Brandy.

5. G.M. Breweries Limited

Brand Portfolio: G.M. Santra, G.M. Doctor, G.M. Limbu Punch, G.M. Dilbahar Sounf, Pioneer Doctor Brandy, Pioneer Special Doctor Brandy, Hot Shot Rum and Reporter Choice Whisky, and more.

G.M. Breweries Limited (GMBL) manufactures and sells alcoholic liquor in India. Its alcoholic beverages include IMFL products and country liquor. G.M. Breweries was incorporated in 1981 by Shri Jimmy William Almeida and is based in Mumbai.

GMBL is engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and sale of Alcoholic Beverages, such as Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and Country Liquor (CL). It blends and bottles alcoholic liquor and concentrates more on country liquor. The company has its manufacturing unit in Thane district of Maharashtra.

The company offers its alcoholic beverages products under the brands G.M. Santra, G.M. Doctor, G.M. Limbu Punch, and G.M. Dilbahar Sounf etc. In addition, the company markets its liquor products brandy, rum and whisky under the brand names of Pioneer Doctor Brandy, Pioneer Special Doctor Brandy, Hot Shot Rum and Reporter Choice Whisky etc. The company also imports oakwood barrels to mature its whisky in order to impart the liquor with the correct character, colour, strength and distinctive taste.

6. Globus Spirits Limited

Brand Portfolio: Gr8 Times Whisky, Gr8 Times XXX Rum, Samurai Premium Whisky, Samurai Grape Brandy, Rajputana, White Lace Gin, Governors Reserve Red, Governors Reserve Blue, Oakton, Laffaire Napoleon, TERAI, and more.

Globus Spirits Limited is one of the top liquor manufacturing companies in India. The distillery started its journey in the year 1992, and within a short span, it became one of the best names in alcohol brands across India. The owners of Globus Spirits Limited are Ajay Kumar Swarup and Gautham Premnath Khandelwal. The company founders have around 30 years of experience in the alcohol and distillery industry.

Globus Spirits Ltd caters to four important segments of the alcohol beverages industry in India. These are Indian Made Indian Liquor (IMIL), Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), Bulk Alcohol, and IMFL Bottling, respectively.

In response to the Indian Government’s request to address the urgent requirement of Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer products, the company has also procured the licence to produce hand sanitisers. This is duly approved by Drug Controllers of the respective Indian states of Rajasthan, Haryana, West Bengal and Bihar, and the company now produces quality hand sanitizer at reasonable rates.

7. Jagatjit Industries Limited

Brand Portfolio: ACS EK C Whisky, Aristocrat Old Reserve Whisky, Fire XXX Rum, AC Black Whisky, AC Neat Whisky, Aristocrat Vodka, Royal Pride, IICE Vodka, and more.

Jagatjit Industries Limited is one of the leading liquor companies in India. The company founder is the late L. P. Jaiswal, who received support from the then Kapurthala’s Maharaja Jagatjit Singh established the liquor company in 1944 in Delhi. It has become one of the most well-established distilleries in India.

Also, it is the first liquor brand in India with in-house facilities for manufacturing molasses and non-molasses-based potable alcohol. It produces a range of the best alcoholic beverages in India which include Whisky, Brandy, Scotch Whisky, Gin, Rum, and Vodka. Its popular product is the AC Black Whisky.

The company’s guiding philosophy finds expression at all levels of its activities. These can be seen as quality in its manufacturing technology, its relationship with its employees, dealers, shareholders, customers, and excellence in the quality of its products.

8. Khoday India

Brand Portfolio: Khoday’s Five Star Whisky, Red Knight Whisky, Peter Scot, Constantino Brandy, Hercules XXX Rum, Hercules Beer, Burtons Beer, and more.

Khoday India is a part of the Khoday Group of companies, also known as the House of Khodays. It is a multidisciplinary business group in India. Khoday Eshwara founded the company in 1906 in Bangalore (now Bengaluru) during the period of the British Raj. The company headquarter is located in Anjanapura, Bengaluru.

Initially, the company started its journey with the silk business. Later, it partitioned its business and entered into manufacturing liquor under different brands, stationery, and diamonds. In 1967, the Khoday Group launched its liquor product Red Knight Whiskey and began producing Peter Scot Whiskey. It has become one of the top-selling liquor companies in India.

The company manufactures and sells a variety of Rum, Whisky, Brandy, and Gin products. It’s Peter Scot is a popular Whisky brand and Constantino is the popular Brandy liquor manufactured by the company.

9. Mohan Meakin Limited

Brand Portfolio: Lion Beer, Old Monk Rum, Colonel’s Special Whisky, Diplomat Deluxe Whisky, Black Knight, Solan No.1 Whisky, Blue Bull Whisky, Golden Eagle Beer, Asia 72 Beer, Meakins 10000 Beer, Triple Crown Brandy, Doctor’s Reserve No.1 Brandy, and more.

Mohan Meakin Ltd (formerly known as Dyer Breweries and later converted into a distillery) was founded in the year 1855 by Edward Dyer at Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. The company headquarters is now located in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Mohan Meakin company offers a wide range of products including Alcoholic Beverages, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Vinegar, Malt extract, Cereals, Fruit Juices, Breakfast Foods, Mineral Water Glass Bottles etc.

The brewery, before its acquisition by Mohan Meakin, manufactured Asia’s first beer brand, Lion. This brand of beer had been around for a century but slowly declined in popularity when another beer brand Kingfisher took its position.

Mohan Meakin’s other very popular liquor brand is the Old Monk Rum, which is an IMFL product. Its Old Monk brand is the third-largest-selling rum in the world.

10. Northern Spirits Limited

Brand Portfolio: Glenfiddich Single Malt Grants Whisky, Balvenie Single Malt Whisky, West Cork Irish Whisky, Dewar’s Whisky, Hendricks Gin, Grey Goose Vodka, Shepherd Neame Beer, Cooper’s Australian Beer, and more.

Northern Spirits is an India-based company that is engaged in the liquor business. The Company is the importer and distributor of alcoholic beverage products like Whisky, Vodka, Gin, Red and White Wine, Beer, Tequila and other liquor brands. The company was started in 2012 in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Northern Spirits imports leading international brands such as William Grants (Glenfiddich Single Malt Grants Whisky, Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Balvenie Single Malt Whisky, Hendricks Gin), Bacardi Global (Grey Goose Vodka, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Dewar’s Whisky, Martini Vermouth) Shepherd Neame Beer, Amigos Beer, Carlo Rossi California Wines, Tomich Australian Wine, Cooper’s Australian Beer, West Cork Irish Whisky, Two Tree Gin, Reddot Wheat Beer, Aqua Riva Mexican Tequila, and Organika Russian Vodka etc.

Northern Spirits company’s franchise brands include William Grants, Tomich, Coopers, Reddot, West Cork, Organika, and Aquariva.

11. Piccadily Agro Industries Limited

Brand Portfolio: INDRI Single Malt Whisky, WHISTLER Blended Whisky, and more.

Piccadily Distilleries boasts of having the largest malt spirit set up in the country and has launched single malt and blended malt whisk products under its own brands. The company was started by K. N. Sharma in 1953 in Punjab. Its head office is now moved to Gurugram, Haryana. In 1994, the family purchased a sugar mill and distillery and entered the alcohol manufacturing and distillery business.

Piccadily manufactures three brands of liquor products in its three distilleries which are set up at Indri, Patiala and Bawal, respectively. Today the company is the largest independent malt manufacturer and seller of malt spirit in India. The Malt distillery has 6 typical Scottish-style copper pot stills and 3 spirit stills.

In addition to alcohol distribution, the company also launched a restaurant in Chandigarh called the Picadili Restaurant and Bar, which was the only stand-alone bar in Chandigarh for more than 35 years.

12. Pioneer Distilleries Limited

Product Portfolio: Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), Rectified Spirit (RS), Special Denatured Spirit (SDS), Absolute Alcohol (Ethanol), Carbon Dioxide (C02), and Power.

Pioneer Distilleries Limited is a subsidiary of United Spirits Limited liquor company, a division of Diageo. Pioneer Distilleries produces alcohol for the company at a distillery located at Dharmabad in the Nanded District of Maharashtra.

Presently, the Company has an ENA production capacity of 1,00,000 litres per day. ENA is mainly used for the production of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), Whisky, Brandy, Gin, Vodka, etc. The primary clientele of the Company are United Spirits Limited  (McDowell & Company Limited), Radico Khaitan Limited, Allied Blenders and Distillery Pvt Ltd (formerly BDA Limited), Jagatjit Industries Limited, John Distilleries Limited, and others.

13. Radico Khaitan Limited

Brand Portfolio: 8PM Whisky, Crown Whisky, Royal Whytehall Whisky, 8PM Excellency Brandy, Morpheus Brandy, 8 PM Bermuda Rum, Contessa Rum, Magic Moments Vodka & Flavoured Vodka, and more.

Radico Khaitan is considered one of the oldest liquor manufacturers in India. Founded in 1943, Radico Khaitan was popularly known as Rampur Distillery & Chemical Company Limited. Radico Khaitan is an alcoholic beverages industry and its headquarter is located in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. It is listed among the largest Indian liquor companies in India.

This popular liquor company belonging to the alcohol and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) industry in India manufactures Whisky, Brandy, Gin, Rum, and Beer. Radico Khaitan Limited company also exports its products to more than 60 countries around the world including the USA, Canada, South America, Africa, Europe, South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. It launched a Vodka product in 2005 and became one of the top brands in the world.

14. Silver Oak India Limited

Brand Portfolio: Royal Crown Whisky, Liberty Whisky, Mister X Whisky, Liberty XXX Rum, Royal Crown Rum, Liberty Tango Gin, and more.

Silver Oak India Ltd (SOL) was founded in 1984 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The company is engaged in the blending and bottling of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) products. The company caters mainly to the domestic market.

SOL produces a variety of regular and premium range of products like Whiskey, Vodka, Rum, Gin Tango etc. Its alcohol products include brands like Royal Crown Whisky, Liberty Whisky, Mister X Whisky, Liberty XXX Rum, Royal Crown Rum, Liberty Tango Gin, and more.

In addition to manufacturing and distributing alcoholic beverage products in India, the company is also involved in the business of construction, development, and sale of real estate properties.

15. Som Distilleries & Breweries Limited

Brand Portfolio: Hunter Beer, Power Beer, Legend Beer, Black Fort Beer, Woodpecker Beer, Legend Premium Whisky, Genius Prestige Whisky, Sunny Malt Whisky, Gypsy Fine Whisky, Black Fort Rum, Blue Chip Gin, White Fox Refresh Vodka, more.

Som Distilleries & Breweries Limited company is also one of the best liquor brands in India. The company founded by J. K. Arora started its journey in 1994. Since then, it has become among the top-selling liquor companies across India.

Som Distilleries & Breweries Ltd company in India is engaged in the business of manufacture and sale of Alcohol Beverages and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). It is well-known for its Beer products, which include popular brands like Hunter, Power, Legend, Black Fort, and Woodpecker.

Additionally, the company offers White Fox Refresh Vodka, which is a popular alcohol brand in India. The company also carries out the brewing, canning, fermentation, bottling, and blending of beer as well.

16. Sula Vineyards

Brand Portfolio: Sula Wine, Rasa Wine, Dindori Reserve White & Red Wine, The Source Wine, Kadu Wine, and more.

Sula Vineyards is a popular India-based winery and vineyard located in Nasik, Maharashtra. It was founded by Rajeev Samant in 1999. It is said that the founder of this wine brand named it so after her mother.

Sula Vineyards is known for its Sula brand of wines which has grown to become India’s largest and most awarded wine brand. Sula’s wine offering includes more than 30 variants of red and white wines. Sula also imports and distributes leading international wines and spirits, such as Le Grand Noir, Trapiche, Torres, Cap Royal, Hardy’s, Bouchard Aîné et Fils,  Cono Sur, Gruppo Italiano Vini, Beluga Vodka, Asahi and many more.

Sula is also the first to launch wine in a can under the brand Dia Wine Sparkler. This canned wine brand was launched in 2019 and is available only in the states of Goa and Maharashtra now.

17. Tilaknagar Industries

Brand Portfolio: White House Premium Whisky, Mansion House Whisky, Classic Whisky, Courrier Napoleon Brandy, Blue Lagoon Gin, Madiraa XXX Rum, and more.

Tilaknagar Industries Ltd is commonly called the Maharashtra Sugar Mills Limited Company. The Company was founded by Babasaheb Dahanukar in the year 1993. It is listed among the top liquor companies in India. It is a leading manufacturer of liquor across the major categories that include Whisky, Brandy, Rum, Vodka and Gin.

The company occupies a leading position in the market in the southern and western parts of India. The company has around 40 brands of alcoholic beverages under its hat. Some of the popular products are Senate Royale Whisky, Mansion House Whisky, Senate Whisky, Shot Whisky, Mansion House Brandy, and Courrier Napoleon Brandy. Savoy Club Rum, Royal Choice Rum, Madiraa Rum, Classic Vodka, Castle Club, Savoy Club Dry Gin, Royal Choice Duet Gin etc.

18. United Breweries Limited

Brand Portfolio: Kingfisher Beer, Heineken Beer, Zingaro Beer, Bullet Beer, Kalyani Black Label Beer, Cannon 10000 Beer, UB Export Beer, Sol Beer, Edelweiss Beer, and more.

United Breweries Limited was founded in the year 1857 by Thomas Leishmant and the company headquarters is located in Bengaluru. The company, which is a subsidiary of UB Group, used to be engaged in an extensive range of products and services that include engineering, horse breeding, derbies, brewery, beverages, and also investments in sports. United Breweries Ltd has been awarded many laurels and is also listed among the fastest-growing companies in India.

United Breweries is India’s largest producer of Beer alcoholic beverages. The company markets beer under the Kingfisher brand and owns various other brands of alcoholic beverages. Kingfisher beer, the group’s most visible and profitable brand, made a modest entry in the 1960s.

19. United Spirits Limited

Brand Portfolio: Antiquity Whisky, Bagpiper Whisky, Royal Challenge Whisky, Signature Whisky, Black Dog Scotch Whisky, Johnie Walker Whisky, McDowell’s No.1 Whisky & Rum, Romanov Vodka, White Mischief Vodka, Honey Bee Brandy, Blue Riband Gin, and more.

The United Spirits Limited (USL) company was founded in the year 1826 by Angus McDowell. Now, the present owner of the company is Diageo. Diageo is one of the world’s largest producers of wine, alcohol and spirits in the world. It is also a very popular name in India.

It owns a vast range of household names in the liquor segment in India. Diageo has set up its production facilities in almost 180 countries and even has offices in 80 countries. Diageo is ranked among the top alcoholic beverage manufacturing companies in the world.

Among its 200 liquor brands include Kingfisher, McDowell’s, Four Seasons, Tanqueray, Jameson, Bailey’s, and Johnie Walker etc.

20. Winsome Breweries Limited

Brand Portfolio: Henninger Beer, Haywards 2000 Beer, Haywards 5000 Beer

Winsome Breweries Ltd is a part of the Winsome Group of Companies in India founded by the Late Shri Mahabir Prasad Bagrodia in 1952. Its headquarter is located in New Delhi. The Winsome Group has grown into a conglomerate of diverse industries which includes Breweries, Warehousing, Minerals & Mining, Energy, Telecom, Trading etc., across the globe.

The company is engaged in the manufacture and sale of beer, primarily in India. The company manufactures and markets beer under the brand name Henninger (in collaboration with Henninger Brau of Germany) in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other countries. Their Henninger Beer has been lauded for its quality and taste. The beer is of the same international quality as is produced in Germany or their breweries around the world.

The company has launched their two indigenous brands, namely  Limo Lemon and German Thunder. Besides their own brands, the company also brews and bottles Haywards 2000, Haywards 5000, and Royal Challenge brands of Shaw Wallace.

Wrapping Up

Alcohol and spirits are also used in cleaning surfaces and items etc. For instance, they’re used in cleaning peripherals of electronic devices, and items made from brass, copper, silver and gold, and many other things.

Liquor companies in India are doing well, and they also have a larger market share, both domestic and international. In fact, India is the fastest-growing liquor market all over the world. There are plenty of liquor manufacturing companies in India that are growing their business, and contributing to the country’s GDP.