Raise Your Glass: Haku Vodka from Japan Hits India's Shores

Raise Your Glass: Haku Vodka from Japan Hits India's Shores

By Author

Published on September 29, 2023

India, brace yourself for a taste of Japan like never before, as Beam Suntory, the global leader in premium spirits, unveils the latest gem from the House of Suntory. Following the resounding success of The House of Suntory portfolio's launch in December 2019, the spotlight now shines on India with the introduction of Haku® Vodka.

Derived from the finest Japanese ingredients, Haku® Vodka is a testament to the nature and spirit of Japan. It embodies the core principles of Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii's Monozukuri craftsmanship—a relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

In a country where vodka's versatility has captured the hearts of consumers, the arrival of Haku® Vodka is set to make waves in the vodka market. Neeraj Kumar, Managing Director of Beam Suntory India, expresses their excitement, stating, "Vodka continues to gain prominence as a sought-after spirit amongst Indian consumers due to its versatility. Delivering a distinctive experience and establishing a unique presence in the vodka market, we bring yet another addition from our esteemed House of Suntory portfolio in India with the launch of Haku® Vodka."

The name "Haku," meaning 'white and brilliant' in Japanese, pays homage to the key ingredient, "Hakumai," a pure, white Japanese rice symbolising Japan's essence. This rice is meticulously milled, polished, and distilled, resulting in a "junpaku," a clear, clean, and luminous vodka. What makes Haku® Vodka truly exceptional is its filtration process through bamboo charcoal, adding a touch of sophistication and complexity to the vodka's natural flavour.

Haku® Vodka's design blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern sensibilities, creating a minimalist and artisanal product that beautifully celebrates Japanese craftsmanship.

India is not the sole destination for Haku® Vodka. This premium spirit is set to take flight across multiple markets, including Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana. With prices ranging from INR 3,950 to INR 6,140, it promises to set an unprecedented benchmark in the vodka category.

Haku® Vodka, an embodiment of quality, tradition, and innovation, marks a significant step in Beam Suntory's mission to elevate its premium portfolio in India, further enriching the vibrant landscape of Indian spirits.

As The House of Suntory celebrates a century of whisky innovation, the introduction of Haku® Vodka reaffirms Suntory's commitment to heritage and a relentless pursuit of crafting exceptional spirits. Beam Suntory invites India to savour the essence of Japanese craftsmanship with each sip of Haku® Vodka.

Image Source: The Whiskey Exchange


The Hazelnut Factory Opens THF Lakehouse in Nainital

The Hazelnut Factory Opens THF Lakehouse in Nainital

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 21, 2026

The Hazelnut Factory (THF) has marked its entry into Uttarakhand with the opening of THF Lakehouse on the iconic Mall Road in Nainital. Inaugurated on 10th August 2026, the new destination is the brand’s 23rd edition, bringing together its signature artisanal mithai, handcrafted desserts, specialty coffee, fresh bakery and all-day dining.

Set against the scenic beauty of Nainital Lake, THF Lakehouse has been designed to blend with the character of the hill destination. The space combines contemporary touches with the old-world charm of Nainital, creating a warm setting for travellers, families and locals to spend time over food and coffee.

The launch was celebrated in the presence of Smt. Sarita Arya, MLA of the Nainital Assembly Constituency.

For Ankit Sahni, Founder & CEO of The Hazelnut Factory, the opening also carries a personal connection, as he spent his school years in Nainital.

“Nainital has always held a very special place in my heart. I spent my school years here, and to return to the city with something we have built from the ground up is an incredibly meaningful feeling. With THF Lakehouse, we wanted to create a space that feels connected to Nainital - warm, welcoming and rooted in its character, while bringing the quality, craftsmanship and hospitality that define The Hazelnut Factory. It is wonderful to see locals and travellers come together over good food, coffee and the simple joy of being in a beautiful place.”

The Nainital launch is also an important step in THF’s growth journey. Starting from Lucknow, the brand has grown into one of North India’s fastest-growing premium food and beverage brands, bringing together artisanal mithai, specialty coffee, bakery, patisserie and contemporary hospitality.

With THF Lakehouse, the brand continues its approach of presenting familiar Indian flavours in a contemporary way while creating spaces that connect with their surroundings.

In Nainital, this connection comes together through the setting itself, where mountains, coffee, conversations and memories meet against the backdrop of Nainital Lake.


Oro Specialty Coffee Cafe Opens Flagship Outlet in Gurugram

Oro Specialty Coffee Cafe Opens Flagship Outlet in Gurugram

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 21, 2026

Oro, a new specialty coffee café, has opened its flagship outlet in Gurugram, bringing together specialty coffee, an all-day dining menu and a warm neighbourhood café experience.

Founded by Tisha Aggarwal, Oro has been designed as a space that fits into different parts of the day, whether it is a quick morning coffee, a work meeting, a relaxed meal or an evening catch-up with friends.

The name Oro, which means gold in Spanish and Italian, reflects the café’s focus on quality across the guest experience. From its coffee and food to service and interiors, the café aims to create a comfortable space where guests can return through the day to work, meet, eat or simply take a break.

The food menu brings together globally inspired flavours with dishes such as the Italian Job, a burrata sandwich served in crisp schiacciata bread, along with Japanese konbini-inspired Chili Crisp Tamago Sando and Katsu Chicken Sando. The bakery selection includes everyday favourites such as Butter Croissants, Almond Croissants and Miso Chocolate Chunk Cookies. For those looking for something sweet, the dessert menu features Basque Cheesecake, Tiramisu and slow-baked Chocolate Cake.

Coffee remains at the heart of Oro, with a specialty coffee programme featuring beans from North East, Goa and Tamil Nadu. Guests can explore different pour-over options along with classic coffee preparations and signature drinks such as Tiramisu Latte, Chocolate & Berry Cold Brew and Coconut Iced Latte. The beverage menu also includes matcha drinks, teas and coolers.

The café is designed to welcome a mix of guests, including professionals, entrepreneurs, remote workers, families and coffee enthusiasts. The space can accommodate everything from quick coffee visits and informal business meetings to relaxed meals and small celebrations.

Speaking on the launch, Tisha Aggarwal, Founder, Oro, said, "I've always believed cafés have the power to bring people together. With Oro, we wanted to create a neighbourhood café where people feel comfortable walking in at any time of the day, for a morning coffee, a working lunch or an evening catch-up. Our focus has always been on serving good coffee, honest food and creating a place that people look forward to coming back to."

The Gurugram outlet will serve as Oro’s flagship location as the brand focuses on building a strong local community before expanding across Delhi NCR. The café also plans to introduce seasonal food and beverage menus, new coffee offerings, wellness-focused additions and collaborations with artists, creators and lifestyle brands.


Wendy’s India Expands Pune Presence with New Outlet at Elpro City Square Mall

Wendy’s India Expands Pune Presence with New Outlet at Elpro City Square Mall

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 20, 2026

Wendy’s India has strengthened its presence in Pune with the opening of a new outlet at the food court of Elpro City Square Mall in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The outlet has been launched by Rebel Foods, the world’s largest internet restaurant company and master franchise holder for Wendy’s in India.

Located at one of Pimpri-Chinchwad’s prominent retail and entertainment destinations, the new outlet brings Wendy’s signature burgers, fries and desserts to shoppers, families and young consumers visiting the mall.

Speaking about the expansion, Ankush Grover, Co-founder and Global CEO, Rebel Foods, said, “Pune has a strong consumer base that is open to exploring new food experiences, making it an important market for Wendy’s India. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on choosing locations that allow us to be accessible to our consumers while bringing the Wendy’s experience to more parts of the city. With the new outlet at Elpro City Square Mall, we look forward to serving consumers with quality, flavour and an experience that makes every visit memorable.”

The menu offers Wendy’s range of globally inspired flavours, giving Indian consumers an opportunity to explore burgers influenced by different cuisines. The selection includes Argentina’s Chimichurri, Louisiana’s Cajun, Korea’s fiery Buldak, American BBQ, India’s Tandoori and Mexico’s Nachoburg.

The recently introduced Teriyaki Burger range also adds Japanese-inspired sweet and savoury flavours to the menu, further expanding the brand’s international flavour selection in India.

Wendy’s India continues to focus on flavour-led innovation within the gourmet QSR segment, combining global inspirations with contemporary formats and flavours that appeal to Gen Z and Millennial consumers. The new Elpro City Square Mall outlet further expands Wendy’s reach across Pune and its surrounding areas, while giving more consumers access to the brand’s evolving menu and global flavour offerings.

Store Address:

Unit No TF FD-07, Third Floor, "Elpro City Square", Survey No 280, Hissa No 1 to 8, CTS No 4270, Chinchwad, Pune PCMC Ward No-7, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra - 411033.

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