Hall of Fame

It is a privilege to introduce a leader who has been instrumental in taking Indian single malt whisky to the world stage. Born in 1978 into the respected family of Neelakanta Rao Jagdale, he is known for his simplicity, humility, and a fresh perspective. An unassuming young apprentice, he joined the family business in 1999, and after a year of hands-on learning, was sent to the United Kingdom in 2001 to pursue his master’s degree. It was during this time that a pivotal moment unfolded—not just for Amrut Distilleries, but for India—as, guided by his father, he undertook a bold and unprecedented study to assess the acceptance of Indian single malt—then considered “unacceptable”—in Scotland. The positive response he discovered was conveyed to his father. At a time when Indian whisky was largely seen as a mass-market product with limited global credibility, this insight proved powerful. The ever-visionary Neelakanta Rao Jagdale had the foresight to conceive this bold idea—but it was the conviction from his son’s research that gave it shape and confidence. What followed was nothing short of revolutionary. Amrut Distilleries pioneered Indian single malts on the global stage, changing the course of Indian whisky and helping position Indian single malts among the finest in the world. Today, Amrut is present in over 58 countries, with more than 50 expressions, earning global acclaim and respect.