IMFL
Indian-Made Foreign Liquor [IMFL] is the official term used by businesses, governments, and media in India to refer to all types of Hard Liquor manufactured in the country other than indigenous alcoholic beverages such as toddy, fenny, arrack and others.
IMFL (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor) is also referred to spirits that are produced in Foreign Countries and Imported to India in Bulk Quantities and bottled in an Excise Bonded Warehouse by the Importers. The alcoholic strength of IMFL (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor) generally does not exceed 42.8% alcohol by volume or 37% alcohol by weight. Most common bottles of IMFL (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor) are available in size of Quarts (750 ml), Pints (375 ml) and Nips (180 ml) in cases of 12, 24 and 48 bottles respectively.
Manufacture
A common characteristics of many IMFL’s, distinct from spirits elsewhere in the world, is that irrespective of the final product starting ingredient is a neutral spirit distilled from molasses, a by product of the Sugar industries. This neutral spirit at 96% alcohol by volume is first reduced to 42.8% using demineralized water, where upon flavours and other spirits are added. Caramel is added at this stage to impart colour to the spirit. Most commonly, grain or malt-based whisky, which may include imported Irish or Scotch Whisky is blended with the spirit. The same applies to other IMFL (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor) spirits, like Vodka or Rum. However, some recent entrants distill spirits per traditional methods even when manufacturing in India.
Top 10 IMFL’s Distilleries and Wineries Companies in India
Empee Distilleries Limited (Empee)
Empee Group is a well-established South Indian corporate founded by Mr. M.P Purushothaman in the 1970s. Group core businesses include Power Generation, Sugar & Chemicals, Hospitality, Property Development and Alcoholic Beverages. It is one of the top 10 winery and distillery companies in India.
GM Breweries Limited
G.M.Breweries Limited (GMBL) was established in the year 1981 by Mr. Jimmy William Alameda. GMBL (G.M.Breweries Limited) is engaged in the marketing and manufacture of alcoholic beverages; Such as Country Liquor (CL) and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).
Globus Spirits Limited
The company is catering to four important sectors of the alcohol industry – Indian-Made Indian Liquor, Indian-Made Foreign Liquor, IMFL (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor) Bottling and Bulk Alcohol. It is one of the top 10 winery and distillery companies in India.
IFB Agro Industries Ltd.
IFB Agro Industries Limited was established in the year 1982s and has its corporate office in Kolkata. It is one of the top 10 winery and distillery companies in India. The company is engaged in the distribution and manufacture of alcohol, bottling of branded alcohol beverages as well as processed and packaged seafood for both export markets and domestic. The company’s segments include Liquor, Spirits and Spiritual Beverages and Marine Products.
Mohan Meakin Ltd
Mohan Meakin Limited was established in 1855’s. Its headquarters is located in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. It is offering a wide range of products including vinegar, malt extracts, alcoholic beverages, cereals, glass bottles, non-alcoholic substances etc.
Jagatjit Industries Ltd.
JIL (Jagatjit Industries Ltd) is one of the top integrated distillery making portable wine in Asia. It is the first in India with in-house facilities for the production of jaggery and non-jaggery based portable liquor from fully automated distillation plants. It’s brand range includes rum, whisky, brandy, vodka, gin and Scotch. It is offering wine and food.
Radico Khaitan Ltd
The company was established in 1943’s at Rampur, United Provinces, British India. It was formerly known as Rampur Distillery and Chemical Company Limited. Radico Khaitan manufactures Whisky, Rum, Brandy, Gin and Vodka. It is one of the top 10 winery and distillery companies in India. It is an Indian company that manufactures Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), country liquor, industrial liquor and fertilizer.
United Spirits Limited (A Diageo Company)
The company was founded in the year 1826’s by Angus McDowell’s. United Spirit is a subsidiary of Diageo and is headquartered at UB Tower in Bangalore, Karnataka. It is an Indian alcoholic beverage company. USL manufactures Indian Wine, Whisky, Gin, Vodka, Wine and Scotch whisky etc.
Tilaknagar Industries Ltd.
Tilaknagar Industries Limited was established in the year 1933’s. The company is engaged in manufacturing Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). It is one of the top 10 winery and distillery companies in India. The company IMFL (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor) is offering more than 40+ brands in the range of Rum, Whisky, Brandy, Vodka and Gin, along with sugar, chemicals and water.
United Breweries Limited (UB)
United Breweries was founded in the year 1857’s by Thomas Leishman’s. It is headquartered in UB City, Bangalore. It is offering a range of products including engineering, sports investments, horse breeding, diaries, alcoholic beverages and breweries. It’s subsidiaries are United Breweries Limited, UB Global, KingFisher Airlines , UBIC, Inc. The UB core business sectors are beverages, investment and aviation.It is one of the top 10 winery and distillery companies in India.
