Amrut Appoints Ashok Chokalingam as COO & Master Distiller

Dual Role Recognizes Two Decades of Excellence: Integrating Production and Global Marketing

Renowned Indian whisky distillery Amrut Distilleries has officially announced a significant appointment, naming Ashok Chokalingam as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Master Distiller. This unprecedented dual role was specially created by the distillery's family board to honor his twenty years of exceptional contribution and expertise since joining in 2004. Through this appointment, Amrut aims to deeply integrate international marketing with production technology, enhancing the brand's global competitiveness through seamless operational and brand strategy management.

From Brand Ambassador to Technical Core: Driving Indian Whisky onto the Global Stage

Managing Director Rakshit N Jagdale praised Ashok Chokalingam as a model of homegrown talent with a global vision who has successfully shared the story of Indian whisky with the world. Starting his career at the distillery as a regional manager, Ashok served as international sales manager and brand ambassador before taking over the distilling department in 2019. He is now responsible for all technical aspects of Single Malt products from distillation and blending to bottling, serving as a key driver in bringing Indian Single Malt to the international stage.

Innovation in Maturation: Continuing the Legend of Well-Aged Whisky

Ashok Chokalingam's innovations in maturation have been widely acclaimed, leading the development of award-winning expressions such as Spectrum and Naarangi. Having participated in global masterclasses and tastings for years, he feeds market insights back to the distillery, influencing key decisions such as cask selection and flavor profiles. He expressed gratitude for the long-term trust of Chairman Neelkanth Rao Jagdale and pledged to continue pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship, following the legend of Indian aged whisky set by last year's launch of Amrut 15 Years Old Expedition.

📅 Published Date: 2026-02-27

🔗 Source: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/amrut-names-ashok-chokalingam-master-distiller/