The Artisanal Spirits Co, the parent company of whisky club The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, is set to launch a unit in India.
Having conducted what it called a review of potential partners in the country, the UK-headquartered business has signed a franchise agreement with PNM Tech Beverages to represent SMWS. Subject to label registration, the first shipment under the brand name is expected “in the coming months”.
The move follows the platform’s launch in Vietnam earlier this year and builds on previous expansions into Korea and Taiwan. India, the world’s largest market for scotch by volume, is expected to deliver “marginal returns initially,” with Artisanal Spirits positioning for the “long-term opportunity” in the country.
The company also announced that Single Cask Nation – a whisky bottler it acquired last year – has commenced exports to Brazil, marking its second new market in around a year after entering Denmark in late 2024.
Chief executive Andrew Dane said the moves reflect ASC’s focus on “growing our global presence with entry into exciting new markets” and “developing new opportunities for Single Cask Nation” as it expands its whisky membership communities worldwide.
In May, India and the UK reached an agreement to reduce the rate of duty on scotch from 150% to 75%. In ten years’ time, the rate will decrease further, to 40%.
