'Sub-standard': India bars sale of popular whisky and rum brands over flavouring

India's FSSAI barred the sale of some whisky and rum brands made by United Spirits, Inbrew Beverages, and Mohan Rocky Springwater for using artificial flavouring.

The affected brands include United Spirits' Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky, Inbrew's Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum, and three Old Monk variants.

FSSAI stated that adding rum flavour to rum or whisky flavour to whisky is not an internationally recognized manufacturing practice and could reduce reliance on traditional ingredients like molasses, malt, and grapes.

The ban impacts domestically produced spirits in India's ~$40 billion alcohol market, with Diageo as the largest player.