Jim Murray with Abhishek Khaitan at the First Public Tasting of Rampur 1943 Virasat

Radico Khaitan, one of India’s largest spirits companies, hosted an exclusive tasting of its recently launched Indian single malt, Rampur 1943 Virasat, led by globally renowned whisky expert, connoisseur and author of The Whisky Bible, Jim Murray.

Event Overview
- Date: February 12, 2026
- Venue: ITC Maurya, New Delhi
- Hosted by: Abhishek Khaitan, Managing Director of Radico Khaitan
- Special Guest: Jim Murray, globally renowned whisky expert and author of The Whisky Bible

Highlights
- The tasting marked a decade of Rampur Indian Single Malt’s global rise.
- Jim Murray guided attendees through the craftsmanship and maturation process of Rampur 1943 Virasat.

Key features of the whisky:
- Made from six-row Indian barley grown in the Himalayan foothills.
- Distilled in newly designed pot stills that refine Rampur’s identity.
- Matured first in American bourbon barrels, then finished in ruby port pipes.
- India’s extreme climate accelerates ageing, adding depth and complexity.

Perspectives Shared
Abhishek Khaitan:
- Called the launch a tribute to Rampur’s legacy since 1943.
- Highlighted the new pot stills as a transformative chapter for the brand, appealing to a new generation of whisky drinkers.

Jim Murray:
- Recalled visiting Rampur distillery 30 years ago and encouraging them to bottle as a single malt.
- Praised Rampur’s evolution, noting that in his 2026 Whisky Bible, nine Rampur single malts averaged 91.9/100 points.
- Expressed confidence that Virasat would maintain this high standard.

Significance
- Rampur 1943 Virasat embodies a blend of tradition and innovation, rooted in the distillery’s heritage while appealing to modern tastes. - The event reinforced India’s growing reputation in the global whisky community.

✨ Takeaway: Rampur 1943 Virasat isn’t just a new release—it’s a milestone that celebrates Indian single malt’s journey from humble beginnings to global acclaim, with Jim Murray’s endorsement adding weight to its international recognition.