Whyte & Mackay India Becomes Whytehall

Liquor company Whyte & Mackay (India) has been rechristened Whytehall India. This follows the move of Glasgow-based Kyndal International, owners of the Whyte & Mackay brand, asking the promoters of the Indian firms, Bacardi International and Radico Khaitan, to discontinue the use of the name.

Jayant Kapur, managing director of Bacardi Martini India, and a nominee on the board of Whyte & Mackay (India), said: "We have recently changed the name of the company to Whytehall India."

Whyte & Mackay India was originally incorporated in 1995 as a joint venture between the Whyte & Mackay group and the Delhi-based Khaitans. The Whyte and Mackay group sold its equity stake to American Beverages (Mauritius) which was acquired by Bacardi International later in April 2001. At present, Whyte & Mackay India is a 51:49 joint venture between Bacardi International and Radico Khaitan.

The deal gave Bacardi access to three local whisky brands "" Genesis, Royal Peg and Whytehall "" and enabled its foray into the Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) market.

Bacardi International also has a presence in the country through a 74:26 joint venture with the Mysore-based Gemini Distilleries as the local partner in Bacardi Martini India to market its branded products such as Bacardi Reserva, Bacardi Carta Blanca, Bacardi Limon etc. It has also entered into a marketing alliance with William Grant & Sons to market scotch whiskies, William Grant's Family Reserva and Glenfiddich Single Malt in the Indian market.

Kyndal International has decided to revisit the country following its manufacturing, marketing and distribution alliance with Shaw Wallace Distilleries. Kyndal has a portfolio of international brands such as Whyte and Mackay Scotch, Dalmore Single Malt, Vladivar Vodka, Veba ready-to-drink mix and Glavya Liqueurs among others, which will be introduced through this alliance in a phased manner.