April 20, 2025 • 15 mins
Included: The great Indian heritage of premium single malt whiskys, adapting to the American market, unique flavor profiles.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Hi, everyone, Welcome to this week's episode of Beverage Chronicles.
I'm your host, Gary Montroso thank you for joining us here.
And this is a special episode for me because I
get to talk with the US representative for Rampur Distillery.
And this is mister Bobby Gark. He's the exclusive importer
(00:27):
for this company and he's the CEO for SG Worldwide.
And Bobby, I gotta tell you, Rampoor Distillery is making
some waves. Every time I turn around, it seems as
though the Beverage Tasting Institute is awarding Rampour with some accolades.
I mean, the company is just doing fantastic. So again,
thank you for joining us here on Beverage Chronicles.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Thank you for having us Gary, Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Excellent. Okay, Now, the company itself is not new. It's
been around for I guess about eighty years. I did
a little bit of research. I think I found that
it started around nineteen forty three.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yes, it did well.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Again, congratulations, because the company is doing phenomenal. We're seeing
it everywhere and again, when the Beverage Stating Institute recognizes excellence,
you have to sit up and take notice. Bobby, I
want to start asking you a question, and tradition is
very sacred to the company and to Indian brands in general.
But Rampour has definitely gained recognition as one of the
(01:28):
top Indian brands. Their single mall is phenomenal. How do
you maintain this traditional heritage while adapting to the preferences
of the American market.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
That's a great question, Gary, Thank you again, Gary, if
I may take a little bit of your time to
really explain that. Obviously, Rampoor Indian single mard, you know,
has quickly become a recognized name in the global industry,
especially in the premium whiskey sect, and we really take
(02:02):
a great pride in maintaining our deep rooted Indian heritage
and its authensity of the Indian flavor profile in our
spirits while adapting and you know, evolving the taste to
the American market. Obviously, our flagship expressions such as the
Ramper Select, the ramp Asava, the Rampoo double Cask, and
(02:27):
to add our newest edition, which is the Rampoor Barrel Blush.
Obviously that's the balance between the tradition and the innovation.
But you know, rampur Asava in particular, it is the
first Indian single model to be finished in the Indian
cabernet cask after being matured in the American Bourbon bartreles.
(02:53):
So this unique process, you know, earned a Rampor a
very well deserved spot on the front cover of the
Whiskey Advocate to Advocate seventh annual Top twenty World Whiskeyes
in twenty twenty one. And obviously our other our core
volume driver, which is the ramp Or double cask, is
(03:15):
another distinctive expression, offering a complex flavor profile from being
again aged in both the American bourbon battles and also
finished in the European sherry oak cask and making it
a perfect fusion of old world tradition and the modern craftsmanship.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Where you talked about the double cask, and I'm just
looking at some of my notes here, I'm getting back
to Beverage Tasting Institute. They awarded that particular beverage ninety
four points with its exceptional Yes. Tells you that the experts,
people who know this industry really like the double cask.
And again that's not the only beverage within the Rampoor
(03:55):
portfolio that's gained some very very positive recognition and getting
staying with the concept of a tradition, yes, and adapting
to the American market is not easy. It is very complex.
It is how is Rampoor upholding this, you know, the
customs of whiskey making.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
It's holding extremely well, extremely well, I think, you know,
I mean, you know, we all know India has been
a whiskey country for many many years, you know, many
many years. And Rampor obviously, like we all know, it's
been around for over eighty eighty five years now. And
I think the you know, obviously the traditional uh you know,
(04:39):
making of the whiskey, which they followed, and obviously I
think I think with what we feel with the ramp Or,
especially with the American consumer, what's happening is obviously the
aging process right with the with the American oak barrels.
I think that's what's making it unique because everybody ages
(05:01):
in the American burbon barrels. But I think what they
have done is phenomenal and I think the proof is
in the bottle. And like you brought up about the
double cast getting ninety four points, and believe me, every
ramp Or expression has been getting accolades left, right and center.
So I mean to move on to you know, the
(05:21):
Ramper Select, which is also aged in the American barrels.
And this is, by the way, one of our first
expressions that we originally launched in twenty sixteen. That was
our first expression that came out in the market, and
we started off with the Ramper Select, which was also
a matter of fact, ranked number five in the top
(05:44):
twenty world whiskies in two seventeen.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Wow, that's impressive.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Yeah, that's where honestly, that's where the whole Ramper blew out.
I mean, that's so, I mean, definitely we gave a
lot of credit to the Rampers sect S elect which
which took the lead initially, and today Rampo Select has
actually become an more of a exclusive and limited addition
(06:14):
in our portfolio. It's not very easily available and we
really can get too much of it every year.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Now kind of explained I think the attraction to the
American consumer, because again, this is a very competitive market.
There are so many different brands and flavors that are
out there. But I think you pretty much described an
aspect of the process that appeals to the American drinker.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Yes, yes, I mean definitely, you know, I mean you know,
this Indian heritage is definitely with again like going back
to with the you know, keeping the Indian heritage and
also keeping in mind the American consumer's palette. I think
I think we are able to to uh you know,
(07:02):
bring the core core you know what we really you know,
we feel consumer really loves the whiskey drinker. And obviously
the American palette is so open minded, to be honest
with you, it is so open minded that will you know,
every consumer is willing to taste and then try the
(07:22):
new whiskeys coming out of the world, I mean world whiskeys.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
I should say it's excellent. And I want to ask
you about a new product, which is the the Rampoor
Indian single mall Ramport barrel blush. Now this is finished,
I understand, in an Australian giras cask. Yes, this makes
it very unique. And is this something that's also resonating
with the American whiskey drinker.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yes, so you know, just like we introduced our rampoor
Asaba cask, right, which is actually finished obviously still age
in the American bourbon battles, but finished in the Indian
red you know, cabernet cask just like that. Obviously, we
we just introduced the Rample battle blash, which is again
(08:07):
aged in the American bourbon barrels, but obviously we used
the Australian Sharraze cask to finish it. So giving it,
I mean, you know, I don't know if you have
the bottles in front of you, but you could clearly
see the color of the chirags you know, uh, you know,
coming popping out at you right away, So it I.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Mean, I probably I think you can probably guess where
I'm going to go after we finish the interview. There's
a liquor store about five minutes for me, and I
think I'm going to be taking a little ride over there.
I'm want to wrap my head around this particular drink
because I'm going to guess have not having had it
that you're probably going to get notes of I guess
(08:48):
vanilla and oak from the barrels, but you're also getting
the berries and the dark fruit coming through. Would that
be fairly accurate? Yes, it sounds appetuching the same.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Yeah, you do, you know you you you know, again
with the adapting, you know, keeping it with the American market, right,
I mean, and then obviously you do get the old
you do get the spies, you get the dried fruits,
you know, I mean, you know, it's it's funny when
people ask these questions. To be honest with you, we
we come across consumers and they say, you know, what
(09:23):
do we what? What do we taste in? Like, you know,
what is it? What is it?
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Like?
Speaker 2 (09:27):
You know? And I'm like, you know what, why don't
you try it for yourself? As soon as you take
that first sip and it's it's just unreal, it's amazing.
You you literally want to keep going.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Well, you see, you brought up a very good point.
You have to taste it. It's difficult to describe a
taste to someone because everyone's going to perceive things differently,
so you really have to try it on your own
to fully appreciate the beverage. Yes, probably I want to
move into distribution because I understand the distribution is really expanding.
You're into about thirty states if I'm not mistaken, and
(10:02):
this can bring some challenges but also brand new opportunities.
How have you encountered expanding your distribution arm if you will.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
That's a great question, actually, Gary, So you know our
distributors really play a key role, you know, in ensurance, rampos,
availability and especially in the key markets. You know, we
we we do collaborate with them on each product. I mean,
we do educate them, you know, we we provide promotional materials,
(10:36):
We do co branding as well. A lot of campaigning goes,
you know on these ramport line extensions, you know, day
in day out. I mean, we provide trainings, incentives. You know,
Each distributor obviously is different, is each market is different.
(10:56):
Are our distributors are you know, we can you know,
the biggest distributors like the Southern glaciers wine and spirits
in the industry, as we all know who they are,
be it the breakthrough beverage, you know, and then we
do go with our second tier distributors. But most of
these distributors have you know, sales teams that can range
(11:19):
anywhere from one hundred reps, two hundred reps or forty reps,
depend on the size of the company in every state.
So obviously there's there's a lot involved in the distribution.
And obviously myself being thirty five years in the industry,
I think definitely you know, gives a lot of focus
(11:41):
you know, to really stay and work with each distributor,
with each state, hand in hand every single day.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
And again, I do want to say, we're speaking with
mister Bobby garg who is the exclusive importer to the
US and the CEO for SGU worldwide representing am Poor distillery.
Now you talk a little bit about differences, how do
how is the audience in the East Coast, for example,
different or is it different from in other parts of
(12:11):
the country in terms of reception?
Speaker 2 (12:17):
So, you know east so you know, when we talk
about East coast, West coast, right again, when it comes
to the liquor industry, as much as I'm aware of,
eighty percent of the business is done in the East coast. Yeah,
that's that's that's kind of the way it is impressive. Yes,
(12:39):
So eighty percent of the business is done in the
East Coast. And when we say East coast, obviously we
are talking Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, all the
way down to you know, Florida, the.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Whole Atlantic seaboard.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Yeah, I mean, you know, and then we do we
would include let's say, even though Illins it kind of Midwest,
but but you know, we kind of kind of kind
of include that in the east side obviously, and when
we talk about West coast, in all honesty, it's it's
practically the twenty percent. Out of the twenty percent, I
would say twelve percent comes out of California.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Uh huh okay, yeah, I'm guessing primarily the southern part
of the state.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Uh where in the west you mean in the.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
West, Yeah, like maybe the La San Diego area.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Actually it's it's actually north, it's actually sfo Okay, yes, yes,
so definitely I feel and this is what we have seen,
La does Okay, no doubt, but I think SFO is
on fire. Put it this way. Yeah, matter of fact,
when we look at the east west boat, I'll be
(13:54):
very honest, SFO is it's huge market for us.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
This is part one of our two part interview with
mister Bobby Garg who again is the exclusive importer US
importer for Rampoor Distillery and he's the CEO for SG Worldwide.
Part two. We'll continue next week. If you want more
information about Rampoor, go to the website which is Rampoor
(14:24):
Single Malt dot com. Let me spell Rampor for you.
It's r A M p U R. So it's Rampoor
Single Malt dot com. And if you're interested in Bobby's company,
his website is SG Worldwide Inc. I NC SG Worldwide Inc.
(14:45):
Dot com and you can get some information about the
great work that Bobby is doing. So that's it for
Beverige Chronicles, Gary mantrosis saying we'll see you next week
with Part two.
Hi, everyone, Welcome to this week's episode of Beverage Chronicles.
I'm your host, Gary Montroso thank you for joining us here.
And this is a special episode for me because I
get to talk with the US representative for Rampur Distillery.
And this is mister Bobby Gark. He's the exclusive importer
(00:27):
for this company and he's the CEO for SG Worldwide.
And Bobby, I gotta tell you, Rampoor Distillery is making
some waves. Every time I turn around, it seems as
though the Beverage Tasting Institute is awarding Rampour with some accolades.
I mean, the company is just doing fantastic. So again,
thank you for joining us here on Beverage Chronicles.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Thank you for having us Gary, Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Excellent. Okay, Now, the company itself is not new. It's
been around for I guess about eighty years. I did
a little bit of research. I think I found that
it started around nineteen forty three.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yes, it did well.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Again, congratulations, because the company is doing phenomenal. We're seeing
it everywhere and again, when the Beverage Stating Institute recognizes excellence,
you have to sit up and take notice. Bobby, I
want to start asking you a question, and tradition is
very sacred to the company and to Indian brands in general.
But Rampour has definitely gained recognition as one of the
(01:28):
top Indian brands. Their single mall is phenomenal. How do
you maintain this traditional heritage while adapting to the preferences
of the American market.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
That's a great question, Gary, Thank you again, Gary, if
I may take a little bit of your time to
really explain that. Obviously, Rampoor Indian single mard, you know,
has quickly become a recognized name in the global industry,
especially in the premium whiskey sect, and we really take
(02:02):
a great pride in maintaining our deep rooted Indian heritage
and its authensity of the Indian flavor profile in our
spirits while adapting and you know, evolving the taste to
the American market. Obviously, our flagship expressions such as the
Ramper Select, the ramp Asava, the Rampoo double Cask, and
(02:27):
to add our newest edition, which is the Rampoor Barrel Blush.
Obviously that's the balance between the tradition and the innovation.
But you know, rampur Asava in particular, it is the
first Indian single model to be finished in the Indian
cabernet cask after being matured in the American Bourbon bartreles.
(02:53):
So this unique process, you know, earned a Rampor a
very well deserved spot on the front cover of the
Whiskey Advocate to Advocate seventh annual Top twenty World Whiskeyes
in twenty twenty one. And obviously our other our core
volume driver, which is the ramp Or double cask, is
(03:15):
another distinctive expression, offering a complex flavor profile from being
again aged in both the American bourbon battles and also
finished in the European sherry oak cask and making it
a perfect fusion of old world tradition and the modern craftsmanship.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Where you talked about the double cask, and I'm just
looking at some of my notes here, I'm getting back
to Beverage Tasting Institute. They awarded that particular beverage ninety
four points with its exceptional Yes. Tells you that the experts,
people who know this industry really like the double cask.
And again that's not the only beverage within the Rampoor
(03:55):
portfolio that's gained some very very positive recognition and getting
staying with the concept of a tradition, yes, and adapting
to the American market is not easy. It is very complex.
It is how is Rampoor upholding this, you know, the
customs of whiskey making.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
It's holding extremely well, extremely well, I think, you know,
I mean, you know, we all know India has been
a whiskey country for many many years, you know, many
many years. And Rampor obviously, like we all know, it's
been around for over eighty eighty five years now. And
I think the you know, obviously the traditional uh you know,
(04:39):
making of the whiskey, which they followed, and obviously I
think I think with what we feel with the ramp Or,
especially with the American consumer, what's happening is obviously the
aging process right with the with the American oak barrels.
I think that's what's making it unique because everybody ages
(05:01):
in the American burbon barrels. But I think what they
have done is phenomenal and I think the proof is
in the bottle. And like you brought up about the
double cast getting ninety four points, and believe me, every
ramp Or expression has been getting accolades left, right and center.
So I mean to move on to you know, the
(05:21):
Ramper Select, which is also aged in the American barrels.
And this is, by the way, one of our first
expressions that we originally launched in twenty sixteen. That was
our first expression that came out in the market, and
we started off with the Ramper Select, which was also
a matter of fact, ranked number five in the top
(05:44):
twenty world whiskies in two seventeen.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Wow, that's impressive.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Yeah, that's where honestly, that's where the whole Ramper blew out.
I mean, that's so, I mean, definitely we gave a
lot of credit to the Rampers sect S elect which
which took the lead initially, and today Rampo Select has
actually become an more of a exclusive and limited addition
(06:14):
in our portfolio. It's not very easily available and we
really can get too much of it every year.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Now kind of explained I think the attraction to the
American consumer, because again, this is a very competitive market.
There are so many different brands and flavors that are
out there. But I think you pretty much described an
aspect of the process that appeals to the American drinker.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Yes, yes, I mean definitely, you know, I mean you know,
this Indian heritage is definitely with again like going back
to with the you know, keeping the Indian heritage and
also keeping in mind the American consumer's palette. I think
I think we are able to to uh you know,
(07:02):
bring the core core you know what we really you know,
we feel consumer really loves the whiskey drinker. And obviously
the American palette is so open minded, to be honest
with you, it is so open minded that will you know,
every consumer is willing to taste and then try the
(07:22):
new whiskeys coming out of the world, I mean world whiskeys.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
I should say it's excellent. And I want to ask
you about a new product, which is the the Rampoor
Indian single mall Ramport barrel blush. Now this is finished,
I understand, in an Australian giras cask. Yes, this makes
it very unique. And is this something that's also resonating
with the American whiskey drinker.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yes, so you know, just like we introduced our rampoor
Asaba cask, right, which is actually finished obviously still age
in the American bourbon battles, but finished in the Indian
red you know, cabernet cask just like that. Obviously, we
we just introduced the Rample battle blash, which is again
(08:07):
aged in the American bourbon barrels, but obviously we used
the Australian Sharraze cask to finish it. So giving it,
I mean, you know, I don't know if you have
the bottles in front of you, but you could clearly
see the color of the chirags you know, uh, you know,
coming popping out at you right away, So it I.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Mean, I probably I think you can probably guess where
I'm going to go after we finish the interview. There's
a liquor store about five minutes for me, and I
think I'm going to be taking a little ride over there.
I'm want to wrap my head around this particular drink
because I'm going to guess have not having had it
that you're probably going to get notes of I guess
(08:48):
vanilla and oak from the barrels, but you're also getting
the berries and the dark fruit coming through. Would that
be fairly accurate? Yes, it sounds appetuching the same.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Yeah, you do, you know you you you know, again
with the adapting, you know, keeping it with the American market, right,
I mean, and then obviously you do get the old
you do get the spies, you get the dried fruits,
you know, I mean, you know, it's it's funny when
people ask these questions. To be honest with you, we
we come across consumers and they say, you know, what
(09:23):
do we what? What do we taste in? Like, you know,
what is it? What is it?
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Like?
Speaker 2 (09:27):
You know? And I'm like, you know what, why don't
you try it for yourself? As soon as you take
that first sip and it's it's just unreal, it's amazing.
You you literally want to keep going.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Well, you see, you brought up a very good point.
You have to taste it. It's difficult to describe a
taste to someone because everyone's going to perceive things differently,
so you really have to try it on your own
to fully appreciate the beverage. Yes, probably I want to
move into distribution because I understand the distribution is really expanding.
You're into about thirty states if I'm not mistaken, and
(10:02):
this can bring some challenges but also brand new opportunities.
How have you encountered expanding your distribution arm if you will.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
That's a great question, actually, Gary, So you know our
distributors really play a key role, you know, in ensurance, rampos,
availability and especially in the key markets. You know, we
we we do collaborate with them on each product. I mean,
we do educate them, you know, we we provide promotional materials,
(10:36):
We do co branding as well. A lot of campaigning goes,
you know on these ramport line extensions, you know, day
in day out. I mean, we provide trainings, incentives. You know,
Each distributor obviously is different, is each market is different.
(10:56):
Are our distributors are you know, we can you know,
the biggest distributors like the Southern glaciers wine and spirits
in the industry, as we all know who they are,
be it the breakthrough beverage, you know, and then we
do go with our second tier distributors. But most of
these distributors have you know, sales teams that can range
(11:19):
anywhere from one hundred reps, two hundred reps or forty reps,
depend on the size of the company in every state.
So obviously there's there's a lot involved in the distribution.
And obviously myself being thirty five years in the industry,
I think definitely you know, gives a lot of focus
(11:41):
you know, to really stay and work with each distributor,
with each state, hand in hand every single day.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
And again, I do want to say, we're speaking with
mister Bobby garg who is the exclusive importer to the
US and the CEO for SGU worldwide representing am Poor distillery.
Now you talk a little bit about differences, how do
how is the audience in the East Coast, for example,
different or is it different from in other parts of
(12:11):
the country in terms of reception?
Speaker 2 (12:17):
So, you know east so you know, when we talk
about East coast, West coast, right again, when it comes
to the liquor industry, as much as I'm aware of,
eighty percent of the business is done in the East coast. Yeah,
that's that's that's kind of the way it is impressive. Yes,
(12:39):
So eighty percent of the business is done in the
East Coast. And when we say East coast, obviously we
are talking Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, all the
way down to you know, Florida, the.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Whole Atlantic seaboard.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Yeah, I mean, you know, and then we do we
would include let's say, even though Illins it kind of Midwest,
but but you know, we kind of kind of kind
of include that in the east side obviously, and when
we talk about West coast, in all honesty, it's it's
practically the twenty percent. Out of the twenty percent, I
would say twelve percent comes out of California.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Uh huh okay, yeah, I'm guessing primarily the southern part
of the state.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Uh where in the west you mean in the.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
West, Yeah, like maybe the La San Diego area.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Actually it's it's actually north, it's actually sfo Okay, yes, yes,
so definitely I feel and this is what we have seen,
La does Okay, no doubt, but I think SFO is
on fire. Put it this way. Yeah, matter of fact,
when we look at the east west boat, I'll be
(13:54):
very honest, SFO is it's huge market for us.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
This is part one of our two part interview with
mister Bobby Garg who again is the exclusive importer US
importer for Rampoor Distillery and he's the CEO for SG Worldwide.
Part two. We'll continue next week. If you want more
information about Rampoor, go to the website which is Rampoor
(14:24):
Single Malt dot com. Let me spell Rampor for you.
It's r A M p U R. So it's Rampoor
Single Malt dot com. And if you're interested in Bobby's company,
his website is SG Worldwide Inc. I NC SG Worldwide Inc.
(14:45):
Dot com and you can get some information about the
great work that Bobby is doing. So that's it for
Beverige Chronicles, Gary mantrosis saying we'll see you next week
with Part two.
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