Mumbai: Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited (ABD), India’s largest domestic spirits company by volume, today announced the appointment of globally renowned Scotch whisky specialist Dr. Martin Leonard as Consultant. In this role, he will advise the company on commissioning its Malt Distillery and guide its single malt whisky initiative, enhancing ABD’s technical expertise as it builds its premium whisky portfolio.
Martin Leonard brings over three decades of experience in the global Scotch whisky industry, spanning distillation, maturation, blending, bottling, and supply chain operations. He most recently served as Managing Director of Inver House Distillers, overseeing five single malt distilleries in Scotland and managing inventories exceeding 600,000 casks. Martin has also held leadership positions with United Distillers (now Diageo) and BAT plc, and served as Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Scotch Whisky Research Institute. He holds a PhD and BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Chemistry from the University of Glasgow and is a recipient of the Master of the Quaich.
Currently under construction, ABD’s single malt distillery in Rangapur, Telangana, is part of the company’s backward integration investment programs, including a PET bottle manufacturing unit commissioned in September 2025 and ENA distillation capacity expansion in Maharashtra. Strategically located within ABD’s largest integrated alcobev facility in Telangana, the distillery is being developed with an investment of ~₹75 crore and a 4.0 MLPA capacity, designed to meet the current blending requirement of ~2.0 MLPA while supporting future single malt production. Commissioning is expected by Q4 FY26.
Commenting on the appointment, Alok Gupta, Managing Director, ABD, said, “Allied Blenders and Distillers has taken important steps in building its presence in India’s premium whisky segment. As we move into the next phase of our single malt journey, Martin’s role will be critical in strengthening our technical depth and operational capabilities. His extensive experience across malt whisky production, maturation, and large-scale operations brings valuable expertise to our team. We believe his guidance will play an important role in shaping a robust, high-quality single malt business aligned with our long-term growth ambitions.”
Martin Leonard, Consultant at ABD, added, “I am pleased to be associated with Allied Blenders and Distillers at this key stage of its growth strategy. I look forward to working closely with the leadership and technical teams to contribute my experience in malt whisky production and operations. I see a strong opportunity to support the development of a high-quality and sustainable single malt business at ABD.”
