McDowell's in race to market Famous Grouse

Radico Khaitan and Deepak Roy, managing director, Triumph Distillery & Vintners (TDV), who also led the management buyout of Green Label whisky from UDV, have already evinced interest in taking up the marketing and distribution of the brand.

While Radico Khaitan, which has a considerable presence in the IMFL and country liquor markets, has been searching for a robust portfolio of brands in the imported scotch, single malt and cognac categories, TDV has been looking for an active presence in the rapidly growing domestic scotch market in India, industry sources say.

UB group sources disclosed that McDowell officials have met senior Highland Distillers' officials to discuss the deal and have also visited the company's facility in Scotland.

The Glasgow-based Highland Distillers has been exploring various options for its Famous Grouse brand including giving its distribution and marketing to an Indian company.

The company has been reviewing its business plan for India after the resignation of Dinesh Jain, managing director of Highland Distillers India Ltd.

In a statement issued by the company from London, it said Highland Distillers is continuing talks with various Indian companies regarding the distribution of its scotch whisky products within the Indian market.

Paul Ross, director of emerging markets said: "Like many other international companies operating within this 'vibrant economic environment', Highland Distillers would continue to reassess business opportunities as they arose."

The nature of the deal that is being worked out is not known as yet. It is also not clear whether the interests of Remy Martin, which was represented by Highland Distillers in India, would also be a part of the deal.

MIBL is a 100 per cent subsidiary of UB International and markets foreign wines, beers and spirits from Invergordon and Drambuie, the Bols range of liquers, Angostura Bitters and Ruffino in India.