Old Monk
Old Monk is under pressure: its Khopoli plant has stayed shut since May with about 300 workers idle, and Maharashtra has lost ₹300 crore in excise revenue (Mint, 12 Oct). The maker claims 88% of rum sales and has offered to drop the "7 Years Old Blended" tag (Mint).
What it means Rival rum and whisky makers face the same FSSAI flavouring and labelling scrutiny.
Latest moves
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Background
From 9 stories, the newest dated 6 Sept 2026. Summary written 3 Oct 2026. Newer developments are under Latest moves.
Show 3 paragraphs and 9 sources
Old Monk is an Indian rum brand. [1] source: Business Today ET Small Business names its maker as Mohan Rocky Springwater Breweries Pvt Ltd, while NDTV Profit refers to the maker as Mohan Meakin. [2] source: ET Small Business[3] source: NDTV Profit Under the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018, products using added flavours must be labelled as rum-flavoured or whisky-flavoured spirits. [4] source: Mint
In August 2026, FSSAI halted sales of select Old Monk variants from specified units over flavouring and labelling issues, and questioned the "7 Years Old Blended" age claim. [5] source: Business Today[6] source: Business Today Mint reported that FSSAI banned three Old Monk variants nationwide, while NDTV Profit described the halt as applying in Maharashtra. [4] source: Mint[3] source: NDTV Profit On 10 August 2026, the Bombay High Court sought the Centre's reply, and Old Monk's maker said the prohibition costs nearly ₹1 crore daily. [7] source: Mint On 31 August 2026, Mint reported that the maker told the court it would remove the '7 years old blended' claim, and that the company put the losses at ₹1 crore per day over 120 days of sales ban. [8] source: Mint The court declined urgent relief on 1 September 2026. [9] source: ET Hospitality On 6 September 2026 it denied interim relief; the brewer had submitted three revised labels, and the next hearing was set for September 8, 2026. [2] source: ET Small Business
FSSAI's action also covered variants of McDowell's No. 1 Rum, Royal Challenge Whisky, Antiquity Blue and Bagpiper. [5] source: Business Today[6] source: Business Today Mint reported that United Spirits and other producers are also affected. [7] source: Mint
Sources
Questions about Old Monk
Who owns Old Monk?
Old Monk is made by Mohan Rocky Springwater Breweries Pvt Ltd, according to ET Small Business. NDTV Profit refers to the maker as Mohan Meakin. [2] source: ET Small Business[3] source: NDTV Profit
What is Old Monk's current strategy in India?
In August 2026 Old Monk's maker told the Bombay High Court it would remove the '7 years old blended' claim from its labels. [8] source: Mint By September 2026 it had submitted three revised labels, and it will disclose added flavourings prominently. [2] source: ET Small Business[9] source: ET Hospitality