Midleton Distillery Releases Its Most Aged Whiskey Ever

Midleton Distillery Releases Its Most Aged Whiskey Ever

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 13, 2024

Midleton Distillery has unveiled a landmark release in its prestigious Silent Distillery Collection—Chapter Five. This 49-year-old whiskey is not only Midleton’s oldest to date but also a testament to the art of whiskey-making. Distilled back in 1973 by the then Master Distiller Max Crockett using the world’s largest pot still, it represents a bridge across generations of distillers.

Kevin O’Gorman, the current Master Distiller, describes this release as "an exceptional liquid that exceeds expectations," inviting whiskey lovers to a unique tasting journey that combines rich history with exquisite craftsmanship.

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The whiskey matured in an American ex-bourbon barrel selected for its quality and historical significance. After nearly five decades, the result is a complex profile of fruits, nuts, and spices, rounded off with a long, satisfying finish of caramel and oak. The sensory journey begins with delicate fruit notes, evolving into deeper flavours of dark chocolate and herbal tea, seasoned with a hint of spices.

Adding to its exclusivity, the final six months of maturation took place in a special barrel, repaired in the mid-1970s by Dominic Buckley, a renowned cooper. This cask, maintained over the years by Buckley's son Ger, now the Master Cooper, is emblematic of the craftsmanship passed down through generations.

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Each bottle of Chapter Five is encased in a hand blown decanter from Waterford Crystal and housed in a custom-designed cabinet by Irish designer John Galvin. Made from tiger brown oak burr and accented with reclaimed oak from Irish whiskey vats, the packaging itself is a collector’s item.

Priced at €55,000, this exquisite whiskey is available in select markets, including the US, UK, and Europe, making it a must-have for collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.


Hangyo Launches Belagavi Kunda Ice Cream as a Year-Round Flavour

Hangyo Launches Belagavi Kunda Ice Cream as a Year-Round Flavour

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 2, 2026

Hangyo has launched Belagavi Kunda Ice Cream, bringing a much-loved Indian milk sweet into a frozen dessert format. The new flavour is a permanent addition to its range, allowing consumers to enjoy the familiar taste of Kunda beyond festive occasions.

Known by different names across India, the sweet is called Kunda in Karnataka, Paalkova in Tamil Nadu, Khava in Marathi-speaking households and Mawa across much of North India. While the name varies by region, the traditional milk-based sweet remains a familiar favourite in many Indian homes.

Fresh milk cake is generally best consumed within around 48 hours. By transforming the sweet into ice cream, Hangyo aims to extend the enjoyment of its traditional taste, making it available as an everyday dessert rather than a short-lived treat.

The company spent years balancing milk, sugar and milk solids to recreate the original sweet's texture and caramel depth. Instead of offering an ice cream with a simple Kunda-style flavour, the aim was to capture the character of the traditional dessert in a new format.

Belagavi Kunda Ice Cream is also the first product in Hangyo's planned range of traditional Indian sweets reimagined as ice cream.

The flavour is available in 100 ml tubs for individual consumption and 4-litre bulk packs. It will be available across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala and Goa. The product is made with real milk.


UK-Based Oodles Wok Enters India as Its Fifth International Market

UK-Based Oodles Wok Enters India as Its Fifth International Market

By Hariharan U

Published on November 1, 2026

UK-founded Asian fusion quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand Oodles Wok has announced its entry into India, marking its fifth international market. The brand has partnered with FranGlobal, the international business arm of Franchise India Group, to support its expansion through franchise development and local partnerships.

Founded in Leicester, UK, in 2010, Oodles Wok began as a family-owned restaurant with a focus on making freshly prepared, flavour-led Asian fusion food accessible to a wider audience. Over the past 16 years, it has grown into a multi-award-winning international restaurant franchise with more than 50 locations across the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Canada and Qatar.

India will become the brand's fifth market as it looks to extend its international footprint and tap into the country's established quick-service restaurant sector.

Bringing the Oodles Wok Experience to India

A key feature of the brand's offering is its signature Build Your Own Box concept, which allows customers to customise meals by selecting from a range of bases, sauces and freshly wok-prepared dishes.

The format combines live cooking, customisation and Asian-inspired flavours within an accessible QSR dining model. Oodles Wok aims to bring this experience to Indian consumers while building a presence suited to the local market.

Through its partnership with FranGlobal, the company will focus on franchise development, identifying local partners and establishing a foundation for long-term growth. Further details about its launch plans and expansion roadmap in India are expected to be announced in due course.

Commenting on the expansion, Shoyab Umar, Founder and CEO of Oodles Wok, said, "Expanding into India as our fifth market is another huge milestone for us, especially with its incredible food culture and appreciation for bold flavours. We're looking forward to introducing Oodles Wok to a whole new audience and continuing our journey as a global brand."

Ismail Patel, Co-Founder and COO of Oodles Wok, added, "As we enter this vibrant market, our focus is on building strong local partnerships, delivering the Oodles Wok experience and creating a brand that Indian customers can connect with."

Strengthening Its International Franchise Network

The India expansion forms part of Oodles Wok's wider strategy to strengthen its position as an international Asian fusion QSR franchise. Its existing presence across four markets provides a base for further growth through franchise partnerships.

For the Indian market, the partnership with FranGlobal will be central to developing the brand's franchise network and identifying opportunities for expansion. The approach will need to bring together the brand's established menu concept and operating model with local market requirements.

With more than 50 locations across its existing markets, Oodles Wok is now looking to build its next phase of international growth in India.

About Oodles Wok

Founded in Leicester, UK, in 2010, Oodles Wok is an Asian fusion quick-service restaurant brand specialising in freshly prepared, wok-cooked dishes. Its signature Build Your Own Box concept allows customers to customise meals with different bases, sauces and ingredients. The brand currently operates more than 50 locations across the UK, UAE, Canada and Qatar


Quattro Opens Second Mumbai Restaurant at Sky City Mall, Borivali

Quattro Opens Second Mumbai Restaurant at Sky City Mall, Borivali

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 31, 2026

Quattro has opened its second restaurant in Mumbai at Sky City Mall, Borivali, bringing its premium pure-vegetarian Italian and Mexican cuisine to the western suburbs. The opening marks 15 years of the brand's culinary journey and introduces a refreshed dining experience with redesigned interiors and an enhanced menu.

The new restaurant offers 66 indoor seats and 43 outdoor seats on a terrace overlooking the surrounding area. Designed to complement the mall's contemporary setting, the space features abundant natural light and striking interiors, creating an inviting atmosphere for family meals, social gatherings and special occasions.

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The addition further strengthens Sky City Mall's food and beverage offering, giving visitors another dining option alongside its retail and lifestyle experiences. Located in Borivali, the mall caters to residents and visitors across Mumbai's western suburbs, including those looking for vegetarian dining options.

For Quattro, the opening marks a new phase of growth as it builds on the success of its Lower Parel restaurant. The brand has reworked its identity, interiors and menu while continuing to focus on authentic Italian and Mexican flavours, quality ingredients and consistency.

Speaking about the launch, Aditya Gupta and Anuj Gupta, Founders of Gupta Brands, said, “Quattro was born from the idea to give an authentic Italian and Mexican premium dining experience to the guest. We didn’t want to give the same Indianized version of the cuisines to guests. We spent months sourcing ingredients like tomatoes from Italy, chillis from Mexico and then subsequent months of trials to get a unique dining experience that did justice to the cuisines. We went to great lengths to source our cheese without animal rennet. Chocolate was sourced from Belgium to give it the rich deep flavours of real chocolate in our desserts.

“With the success of Lower Parel, we are excited to bring the brand to Borivali. After 15 years of the brand, we have spent months redesigning and reimaging the brand, to bring a completely new dining experience for the guests, whilst retaining the same brand values and quality. We hope to become a restaurant that guests think of not just for celebrations, but for everyday dining with family and friends.”

Tanu Prasad, CEO – Malls, Oberoi Realty, said, “At Sky City Mall, our vision is to create a vibrant destination that brings together retail, dining and lifestyle experiences for the community. The arrival of Quattro further strengthens our evolving food and beverage offering, bringing its distinctive take on Italian and Mexican vegetarian cuisine to our rooftop, which is emerging as a lively destination for dining and social experiences. We look forward to welcoming Quattro and giving visitors yet another reason to make Sky City Mall a destination for dining, socialising and spending quality time with family and friends.”

The launch reflects Sky City Mall's continued focus on expanding its dining options and creating spaces where visitors can shop, dine and spend time with family and friends.

Following the opening in Borivali, Quattro is preparing for further expansion, building on its 15-year journey and the response to its Lower Parel restaurant.

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