“India’s Taste For Premium Spirits Grows Beyond Metros”

IPSITA DAS, Managing Director, Moët Hennessy India, talks to BW Businessworld’s Tarannum Manjul about the rise of mindful consumption, Tier-2 expansion, delivering luxury with cultural relevance, and more. Excerpts

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Could you share insights into Moët Hennessy India’s performance in the last quarter?

Q1 2025 showcased the evolving landscape of India’s wines and spirits market—a blend of challenges and breakthroughs. While early-year hurdles included global economic shifts and complex state-wise regulations, optimism followed with the UK-India FTA, especially benefiting scotch whisky. Premiumisation surged, with strong growth in Tier-2 cities like Uttar Pradesh. Indian consumers are leaning into luxury whiskies and exploring new categories like tequila and sparkling wines. What's most exciting is their mindset shift—embracing global flavours while staying culturally grounded. At Moët Hennessy India, our goal is to serve this evolving consumer with authenticity, emotion, and world-class quality.

With reports indicating a dip in spirits demand in key urban centres, how is Moët Hennessy India navigating this slowdown?