Amrut Distilleries has elevated Ashok Chokalingam to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Master Distiller. This move reflects the company’s focus on aligning its global strategy with technical expertise as it continues to grow its presence in the premium whisky segment.

The role has been introduced to bring together international marketing and distillation under one leadership, recognising Chokalingam’s ability to bridge both areas. His journey with Amrut has played a key role in taking Indian single malt whisky to global audiences while shaping the brand’s craft and innovation.

Over the years, he has been closely involved in global tastings, masterclasses, and industry interactions, building a deep understanding of consumer preferences across markets. These insights have directly influenced experimentation at the distillery, from cask selection and maturation techniques to blending styles and flavour profiles.

His approach connects feedback from international markets back into production, ensuring that every innovation remains relevant and purposeful. This has helped Amrut maintain a balance between traditional craftsmanship and evolving global tastes.

This leadership change marks a new phase for the company, with a sharper focus on integrating operations and brand direction. It is expected to drive innovation in distillation and blending, while strengthening the global positioning of Indian single malts.

Commenting on the appointment, Rakshit N Jagdale said, “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. Formalizing this role gives me immense pride and joy as we continue building a proudly Indian, globally respected house of excellence.”

Sharing his thoughts, Chokalingam 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 accept this responsibility with humility and determination, committed to honoring our legacy while continuing to push the boundaries of Indian single malt.”

Chokalingam began his journey with Amrut in 2004 and has since held key roles across international sales, marketing, and distillation. He later took charge of distilling operations, overseeing the creation of several well-known expressions and strengthening the brand’s premium portfolio.

He has also received multiple global recognitions, including ‘Whisky Ambassador of the Year’ and ‘Master Distiller / Blender of the Year’ by Whisky Magazine.

With this elevation, Amrut Distilleries aims to further strengthen its position as a leading name in Indian single malt whisky, combining craft excellence with a clear global vision.