Amrut Distilleries elevates Ashok Chokalingam to COO

Amrut Distilleries has announced the elevation of Ashok Chokalingam as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Master Distiller, a newly instituted role in line with Amrut’s strategic alignment and growth plans.

Recognising Ashok’s rare ability to command both global markets and technical knowhow, the family board created this position to unify International Marketing with Technical Mastery. This is not merely a promotion, it is the formal acknowledgement of Ashok’s ability.

From taking Indian single malt to the world stage to crafting globally celebrated innovations, Ashok has consistently set benchmarks for excellence. His internationally awarded expertise and instinct for breakthrough maturation techniques have positioned Amrut among the most respected whisky houses globally.

On this move, Rakshit N. Jagdale, Managing Director of Amrut Distilleries, commented, “Ashok’s elevation is deeply personal and immensely satisfying for me. He embodies the very best of home-grown talent, evolving with the company, challenging conventions and raising the bar for Indian single malt. Beyond technical brilliance, his global mandate makes this appointment special. He has taken India’s whisky story to the world, absorbed international insights and applied them to strengthen our craft at home. He speaks both the language of our house style and the consumer.”

An elated Ashok said, “I am deeply grateful to our Chairman & Managing Director, Neelkanth Rao Jagdale, for his trust and belief in me. Amrut has never been a conventional company, and my journey here has been equally unconventional, from sales and international markets to the still house and maturation warehouses. That freedom to experiment, question norms and bridge the gap between the market and production has shaped me both as a professional and as a craftsman. Amrut gave me the platform to learn globally and create locally. I am committed to honouring our legacy while continuing to push the boundaries of Indian single malt.”

What truly sets Ashok apart is his relentless application of field learning into craft execution. Years of conducting global tastings, curating masterclasses and engaging with connoisseurs, critics and collectors across continents have given him an instinctive understanding of evolving palates and emerging preferences.