Wizards of Whisky : Shri. Radhakrishna N Jagdale

Radhakrishna N Jagdale was the founder of Amrut Distilleries, a whisky distillery based in Bengaluru, India. Jagdale had a background in chemistry and engineering, which helped him to create innovative processes for whisky production. He began his career in the 1940s, working for the Mysore State government’s excise department, but later resigned from the service to start his own distillery in 1948.

One of Jagdale’s most significant achievements was to create a high-quality single malt whisky from India, despite the challenging climate and lack of experience in whisky production. He used a combination of Indian barley, Scottish peat and water from the Himalayas to create Amrut Single Malt Whisky, which was launched in 2004.

Another critical achievement of Radhakrishna N Jagdale was his pioneering use of Indian barley in whisky production. He identified a high-quality strain of barley grown in the region, which was traditionally used for food or cattle feed. He then used his knowledge of chemistry and engineering to modify the distillation process to produce a whisky that was superior in quality to many of the imported brands.

Under Jagdale’s leadership, Amrut Distilleries and it’s whiskies won many awards in the whisky world. This recognition helped to establish Amrut as a serious player in the whisky industry, and the brand has since won numerous awards and accolades.
(Credits: amrutdistilleries.com/wikipedia.com)

Overall, Radhakrishna N Jagdale made significant contributions to the whisky industry, not only in India but also on a global scale. His innovative approach to whisky production and dedication to quality helped to put Amrut Single Malt Whisky on the map, and his legacy continues to inspire the Indian whisky industry today.