Old Monk Rum Controversy: What's Really Happening?

One of India's most iconic liquor brands, Old Monk, is facing a regulatory challenge after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) told the Bombay High Court that certain Old Monk variants should not be sold as "rum" because they are primarily made from neutral spirit with rum flavouring added later. 0

What is FSSAI's argument?

• FSSAI says the product is largely based on Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) or neutral spirit.
• Rum flavouring is added to create the desired taste profile.
• Therefore, according to the regulator, the product should be described as a "rum-flavoured spirit" rather than rum. 

What about the "7 Years Old Blended" label?

The Bombay High Court questioned whether consumers could be misled by the "7 Years Old Blended" claim. Following the scrutiny, the company agreed to remove the phrase and make flavour disclosures more prominent on future labels. 

Is this only about Old Monk?

No. FSSAI's action extends beyond Old Monk. Several popular liquor brands, including McDowell's No.1 Rum, Royal Challenge Whisky, Antiquity Blue Whisky and Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky, have also come under scrutiny over flavouring and labelling practices. 

Why is this important?

The issue is less about alcohol quality and more about product classification and consumer disclosure. FSSAI's position is that consumers should know whether a drink is traditionally produced rum or whisky, or whether it is a neutral-spirit-based product with flavouring added to mimic those characteristics. 

The Bigger Industry Debate

The liquor industry argues that the use of neutral spirit and flavouring has been common across India's mass-market IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) segment for decades and complies with existing regulations. Several companies have challenged FSSAI's actions in court, and the matter remains under judicial review. 

Bottom Line

The current dispute is not about whether Old Monk is safe to consume. The legal question is whether products primarily made from neutral spirit and flavouring can be marketed as "rum" or "whisky," or whether they must be sold under labels such as "rum-flavoured spirit." The Bombay High Court is expected to continue hearing the matter while revised labels are reviewed.