Radico hosts exclusive tasting of 1943 Virasat with Jim Murray

Radico Khaitan Ltd. hosted an exclusive tasting of its recently launched Indian single malt, Rampur 1943 Virasat, led by globally renowned whisky expert Jim Murray who is also the author of The Whisky Bible. Held at ITC Maurya, the event followed by Jim’s visit to the Rampur Distillery, brought together connoisseurs and industry stakeholders.

Jim guided enthusiasts through the whisky’s journey, highlighting its use of six-row Indian barley grown in the Himalayan foothills and newly designed pot stills that retain Rampur’s core identity while refining its profile. The expression is matured in American bourbon barrels before being finished in ruby port pipes. Jim noted that North India’s extreme climate, marked by intense summers, winters and monsoons, accelerates ageing, adding depth and complexity.

Speaking on the occasion, Abhishek Khaitan, Managing Director, Radico Khaitan, said, “Welcoming Jim Murray to experience Rampur 1943 Virasat, and to share his perspective after visiting our distillery, is a moment of affirmation. It reflects how far Indian single malts have come over the past decade, propelled not by circumstance, but by conviction, discipline and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence.”

Abhishek added, “As we celebrate a decade of perfection with Rampur Indian Single Malt, our innovation Rampur 1943 Virasat stands as a tribute to our legacy. At the same time, the introduction of our new pot stills marks a transformative chapter for us. They are designed to elevate and intensify flavour, crafting a profile that resonates with a new generation of whisky drinkers, without ever compromising the soul of Rampur.”

Jim shared, “Thirty-years ago I put Rampur distillery on the whisky map by first visiting it and then writing about it in my book Jim Murray’s Complete Book of Whisky. The oldest whisky of this then fledgling distillery was just 18 months, and no decision had been made to bottle it as a single malt. I strongly encouraged them that they should. Three decades on and I’m officially now opening their latest stillhouse and tasting a new creation in Virasat which has stretched their portfolio even wider.”

Jim noted, “Amazingly, in the 2026 Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible the nine Rampur single malts I reviewed scored on an average 91.9 points out of 100. Having tasted Virasat, I can’t see that average dropping any time soon.”