Radico Khaitan Limited has become the first Indian spirits company to secure placement across four major UK airports, a milestone that underscores the category's growing ambitions in global travel retail. The company's portfolio—including Rampur Indian Single Malt Double Cask, Rampur Asava, Rampur Barrel Blush, and Sangam World Malt—is now available at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham airports' duty-free shops. The four airports collectively handled over 170 million passengers in 2025, with Heathrow alone processing approximately 84.5 million.

Premium Portfolio Driving Growth The expansion reflects Radico Khaitan's shift toward premiumisation.

In FY26, the company's Prestige & Above portfolio contributed 70.3% of IMFL value. The company reported FY26 net revenue of approximately ₹6,050 crore, with IMFL volumes up 22% to 38.3 million cases. In Q1 FY27, the company delivered record quarterly performance with revenue of ₹1,684 crore and 36% growth in its Prestige & above portfolio.

Rampur's Himalayan Origin Rampur Indian Single Malt is distilled at the Rampur Distillery, established in 1943 in the Himalayan foothills. The portfolio encompasses multiple expressions—Double Cask, Asava, and Barrel Blush—each positioned as distinct interpretations of Indian single malt whisky.

International Ambitions Abhishek Khaitan, Managing Director of Radico Khaitan, said: "Our international ambition is not simply about increasing the number of airports in which we operate. It is about building meaningful brand presence and ensuring that Indian spirits are experienced in the right environments, by consumers who appreciate provenance, craftsmanship and distinctive character." Sanjeev Banga, President of International Business, added: "There is a certain charm in taking Indian whisky to the home of Scotch whisky. We are not asking the world to choose between Scotch and Indian whisky. We are simply making sure that Indian whisky gets a seat at the table, and perhaps a place on the airport shelf as well."

Broader GTR Strategy Radico Khaitan currently has presence across over 65 duty-free locations globally and is targeting expansion to more than 100. Global travel retail is expected to play an increasingly important role in building brand visibility and recognition for Indian spirits among international consumers.

Why It Matters

Indian whisky's entry into UK airport duty-free represents a strategic inflection point for the category in Western markets. For operators and retailers, it signals consolidation of premiumisation trends and suggests growing consumer appetite for non-Scotch single malts in high-traffic, quality-conscious retail environments.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors