Allied Blenders & Distillers

In 1988, Kishore Rajaram Chhabria founded Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD), launching the company into the Indian spirits market. This came after his tenure as managing director at Shaw Wallace, where he identified an opportunity to elevate lesser-known brands. The company's first major product was Officer's Choice Whisky, a brand that would become a cornerstone of its portfolio. By focusing on the mass premium segment, ABD carved out a significant space for itself in a competitive industry. The company embarked on a path of strategic expansion and diversification. In 2010, it entered the rum market with Jolly Roger, and a year later, it launched Officer's Choice Blue to compete in the deluxe whisky sector. ABD's growth wasn't just organic; it made strategic acquisitions, including a 50% stake in Mansion House brandy and Savoy Club whisky in 2014, and the acquisition of a grain spirit distillery in 2015. A pivotal moment in the company's journey arrived in mid-2024. Allied Blenders and Distillers launched its Initial Public Offering (IPO), with bidding open from June 25 to June 27, 2024. The IPO, valued at ₹1,500 crores, consisted of a fresh issue of shares and an offer for sale. The company's shares were listed on the BSE and NSE on July 2, 2024. This move was aimed at prepaying outstanding borrowings and funding general corporate purposes, marking a new chapter for one of India's largest owned spirits companies.