Brands like Old Monk can’t be recreated: Liquor baron

Bengaluru, September 25

When he was just 22, entrepreneur Rocky Mohan joined his family business — Mohan Meakin Ltd — that has been bottling some of India’s most favourite spirits like the Old Monk rum. Having spent decades working on the brand, it’s nearly impossible to recreate a brand like Old Monk, Mohan admitted.

As arguably the first and one of the largest distilleries in Asia, Mohan Meakin bought over the assets of the Dyer Breweries incorporated in 1855 in Kasauli. Another entrepreneur, HG Meakin, opened his own set of breweries from 1887 and the two entities merged after World War I. Mohan’s grandfather, Narendra Nath Mohan, who acquired the breweries after 1947, had first distilled Old Monk in 1954. Called the “Old Monk ambassador”, Rocky Mohan is often credited with taking the spirit across to over 50 countries globally.”

Also the founder of the mobile dining application, Gourmet Passport, he was in the city to launch its services.  — IANS

First distilled in 1954

• Mohan Meakin bought the assets of Dyer Breweries incorporated in 1855 in Kasauli
• Another entrepreneur, HG Meakin, opened his own set of breweries from 1887 and the two entities merged after World War I
• Rocky Mohan’s grandfather, Narendra Nath Mohan, who acquired the breweries after 1947, had first distilled Old Monk in 1954

"It’s a brand with a huge legacy that’s been around for over 60 years. It’s an iconic brand that cannot be recreated. The product has been the same all these years, it’s remained true." — Rocky Mohan, executive director, mohan meakin