- Business
- United Spirits Limited, a subsidiary of Diageo Plc, manufactures, sells and distributes alcoholic beverages including Scotch whisky, Indian made foreign liquor whisky, brandy, rum, vodka, gin and ready-to-drink products primarily in India with exports to over 37 countries. Core brands encompass McDowell's No.1 whisky, Royal Challenge, Signature, Antiquity, Black Dog, Director's Special Black, Smirnoff vodka, Johnnie Walker Scotch, Captain Morgan rum, Greater Than and Hapusa craft gins; the company operates 36 manufacturing facilities across India and serves popular, premium and luxury segments targeting diverse consumer preferences from mass-market to affluent buyers. Founded in 1826 as McDowell & Company and headquartered in Bengaluru, India, United Spirits recently acquired majority control of NAO Spirits & Beverages Pvt Ltd in June 2025 for Rs 130 crore, increasing its stake from 30% to 97% with full ownership targeted by June 2026 to bolster its craft gin portfolio; it also made strategic minority investments in non-alcoholic startups V9 Beverages and Indie Brews in 2024 while exploring a potential sale of its IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru amid rising valuations.