Amrut Distilleries has announced the elevation of Ashok Chokalingam to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Master Distiller — a powerful, newly instituted role in line with Amrut’s strategic alignment and growth plans
Recognising Ashok Chokalingam’s rare ability to command both global markets and technical knowhow, the family board created this position to unify International Marketing with Technical Mastery. This is not merely a promotion — it is the formal acknowledgement of Ashok’s ability.
From taking Indian single malt to the world stage to crafting globally celebrated innovations, Ashok has consistently set benchmarks for excellence. His internationally awarded expertise and instinct for breakthrough maturation techniques have positioned Amrut among the most respected whisky houses globally.
What truly sets Ashok Chokalingam apart is his relentless application of field learning into craft execution. Years of conducting global tastings, curating masterclasses and engaging with connoisseurs, critics and collectors across continents have given him an instinctive understanding of evolving palates and emerging preferences. Insights gathered from tasting rooms and whisky festivals from around the globe consumer conversations in international and domestic markets are methodically translated into experimentation within the distillery — from cask selection and maturation environments to blending nuances and flavor architecture.
His rare ability of dissecting critical review into a feedback loop that refines production decisions back home. This seamless bridge between the market and the malt house ensures that innovation at Amrut is never abstract — it is informed, intentional and globally relevant.
This elevation marks a decisive new direction for the company — one defined by a sharper integration of operations and brand strategy, ensuring that every drop produced reflects both commercial vision and craft excellence. It signals accelerated innovation across distillation and blending, strengthening Amrut’s authority in the art and science of whisky-making. At the same time, the company is set to reinforce the global positioning of Indian single malts, asserting leadership on the world stage, while maintaining an uncompromising focus on quality and premiumization as the cornerstone of its growth trajectory.
Rakshit N Jagdale, Managing Director shared, “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.”
Ashok Chokalingam (COO & Master Distiller) 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.”
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