Peter Scot

Last updated
Peter Scot
Type Indian whisky
Manufacturer Khoday India Limited (KIL)
Country of origin  India
IntroducedMay 1968
Alcohol by volume  42.8%
Variants
  • Peter Scot
  • Peter Scot Black
Related products

Peter Scot is a brand of Indian whisky, manufactured by Khoday India Limited (KIL), and launched in May 1968. It is a flagship brand of the company [1] and is manufactured at their Bangalore facility. [2] In Khoday Distilleries Limited vs. The Scotch Whisky Association and Others, Peter Warren, an employee of Khoday, told the Supreme Court of India that the brand name Peter Scot was made up using his father's first name, "Peter", and his nationality, "Scot". Another factor in choosing the name was due to the British explorer, Captain Scott, and his son Peter Scott. Although the name "Scott" is spelt with two t's, it is phonetically the same as the word Scot. [3] [4] The brand's main competitors are Pernod Ricard's Blenders Pride and United Spirits Limited's Royal Challenge. [5] [6]

Contents

History

Khoday India Limited (KIL) began producing Peter Scot whisky in May 1968, [7] and registered the trademark in 1974. In 1986, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) moved the Assistant Registrar Trademarks for cancellation of the Peter Scot trademark. The SWA claimed that the name was deceptively similar to 'Scotch', which allegedly lead consumers to believe that the product had a Scottish connection. [8] The Registrar ordered the deletion of the Peter Scot trademark in 1989. However, the decision was reversed several times, until a single-judge bench of the Madras High Court, followed by an identical order from the Division bench of the same Court ruled in favour of the SWA. The Court ruled that "the adoption of a name which indicates the geographical region even when the goods had no connection with that place, was itself dishonest". KIL appealed the 12 October 2007 high court order in the Supreme Court, arguing that SWA had knowledge about registration of the trademark as early as September 1974, but had waited for more than 12 years to move the Registrar. On 27 May 2008, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of KIL, allowing it to keep the Peter Scot trademark. [9]

In its judgment, the Supreme Court considered the tests applied by courts in England, Australia and the United States regarding the deceptive similarity of goods. The Court also referred to a passage in Kerly's Law of Trade Marks and Trade Names and ruled that, "the goods are expensive and not of a kind usually selected without deliberation and the customers are generally educated persons which are all matters to be considered". It also held that "where the class of buyers is educated and rich, the test to be applied is different where the product would be purchased by the villagers, the illiterate and the poor". The Court reached the conclusion that the trademark concerned a class of buyers who were expected to know the value of money, the quality and content of Scotch whisky and the difference in the process of manufacture, the place of manufacture and their origin. [3] The judgement also stated that "the Trademark Registrar as well as the high court failed to apply the consumer's knowledge test to the issue and hence arrived at a wrong conclusion". [10] The SWA described the Supreme Court verdict as "inexplicable". [11] [12] The SWA petition seeking a review of the judgment was dismissed by the Supreme Court in February 2009. [13]

Khoday began exporting Peter Scot to Italy in October 2007. [14]

Khoday's launched Peter Scot Black, a single malt whisky, in Karnataka, Goa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Daman, and Silvassa in February 2019. [15] [16] The single malt whisky was the brainchild of Khodays' late vice-chairman, L. Srihari Khoday, who had proposed launching a single malt variant of the Peter Scot brand in 2008. The company claims that consumers compared Peter Scot Black to single malt whiskies made by Glenfiddich and Glenmorangie during blind taste tests. [17] [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scotch whisky</span> Malt or grain whisky distilled in Scotland

Scotch whisky is malt whisky or grain whisky, made in Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whisky</span> Distilled alcoholic beverage

Whisky or whiskey is a type of liquor made from fermented grain mash. Various grains are used for different varieties, including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky is typically aged in wooden casks, which are typically made of charred white oak. Uncharred white oak casks previously used for the aging of port, rum or sherry are also sometimes used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenfiddich distillery</span> Scotch whisky distillery

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Famous Grouse</span> Brand of Scotch whisky

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilchoman distillery</span> Scotch whisky distillery on Islay, Scotland

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian whisky</span> Type of distilled liquor produced in India

As of 2006 most distilled spirits labelled as "whisky" in India were a form of Indian-made foreign liquor, commonly blends based on neutral spirits that are distilled from fermented molasses with only a small portion consisting of traditional malt whisky, usually about 10 to 12 percent. Outside India, such a drink would more likely be labelled a rum. According to the Scotch Whisky Association's 2013 annual report, unlike in the European Union (EU), "there is no compulsory definition of whisky in India, and the Indian voluntary standard does not require whisky to be distilled from cereals or to be matured. Very little Indian 'whisky' qualifies as whisky in the EU owing to the use of molasses or neutral alcohol, limited maturation and the use of flavourings. Such spirits are, of course, considerably cheaper to produce than genuine whisky." Such molasses-based blends made up 90 percent of the spirits consumed as "whisky" in India in 2004, although whisky wholly distilled from malt and other grains, was also manufactured and sold. By 2004 shortages of wheat had been overcome and India was one of the largest producers. Amrut, the first single malt whisky produced in India, was launched in Glasgow, Scotland in 2004. After expanding in Europe it was launched in India in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenora Distillers</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blenders Pride</span> Brand of Indian Whisky

Blenders Pride launched in 1995, is a brand of Indian whisky, owned by Pernod Ricard. It is a blend of great Indian grain spirits and imported Scotch malt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antiquity (whisky)</span> Brand of Indian Whisky

Antiquity is a brand of Indian whisky, manufactured by United Spirits Ltd (USL), a subsidiary of Diageo. It was launched in 1992 and is available in two variants – Antiquity Blue and Antiquity Rare.

Royal Challenge, commonly referred to by the abbreviation RC, is a brand of Indian whisky, manufactured by United Spirits Ltd (USL), a subsidiary of Diageo. It was launched in the early 1980s. According to Binod K. Maitin, a United Breweries technician who oversees all the liquor blends for the company, Royal Challenge is a grain flavored whisky, blended with Scotch malts and Indian malts. In an article for The Wall Street Journal, reporter Eric Felton states that, "About 12% of the blend comes from real malt whiskies: some of it made in India, some actual Scotch. The rest of the mix is a neutral spirit distilled from molasses. That means that, strictly speaking, Royal Challenge, like most Indian "whisky", is actually a rum flavored to pass as whisky." The manufacturer has refused to state the percentage of Scotch whisky used in the blend. In the United States, Royal Challenge is referred to as "spirit whisky". Besides India, Royal Challenge is sold in several other countries including the Middle East and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amrut Distilleries</span>

Amrut Distilleries Ltd is an Indian company that produces distilled beverages. It is best known for its eponymous Amrut brand of single malt whisky, which is the first single malt whisky to be made in India. The brand became famous after world famous whisky connoisseur Jim Murray gave it a rating of 82 out of 100 in 2005 and 2010. In 2010, Murray named Amrut Fusion single malt whisky as the third best in the world. John Hansell, editor of American magazine Whisky Advocate, wrote that "India's Amrut distillery changed the way many think of Indian whisky - that it was, in the past, just cheap Scotch whisky blended with who knows what and sold as Indian whisky. Amrut is making whisky, and it's very good".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amrut (whisky)</span> Brand of Indian single malt whisky

Amrut is a brand of Indian single malt whisky, manufactured by Amrut Distilleries. It is the first single malt whisky to be made in India. Amrut (अमृत) or amrit is a Sanskrit word which can be translated as "nectar of the gods", "nectar of life", or "drink of the gods". The company translates it as "Elixir of Life". The brand became famous after whisky connoisseur Jim Murray gave it a rating of 82 out of 100 in 2005 and 2010. In 2010 Murray named Amrut Fusion single malt whisky as the third best in the world. John Hansell, editor of American magazine Whisky Advocate, wrote that "India's Amrut distillery changed the way many think of Indian whisky – that it was, in the past, just cheap Scotch whisky blended with who knows what and sold as Indian whisky. Amrut is making whisky, and it's very good".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Dog (whisky)</span> Brand of blended Scotch whisky

Black Dog is a brand of blended Scotch whisky produced by the Indian beverage company United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of Diageo.

Radico Khaitan Ltd. (RKL), formerly Rampur Distillery & Chemical Company Ltd., is an Indian company that manufactures industrial alcohol, Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), country liquor and fertilizers. It is the fourth largest Indian liquor company. Radico brands are sold in more than 85 countries, including USA, Canada, South America, Africa, Europe, South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McDowell's No.1</span> Brand of Indian Spirits

McDowell's No.1 is an Indian brand of spirits manufactured by United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of Diageo. It is USL's flagship brand and the largest umbrella spirits brand in the world, comprising three categories – whisky, brandy and rum. The brand also has bottled water and soda. The brand began with the launch of McDowell's No.1 Brandy in 1963–64. The brand's slogan is No1 Yaari Ka No1 Spirit.

Red Knight is a brand of Indian whisky, manufactured by Khoday India Limited (KIL), and launched in 1967. The whisky is manufactured at the company's Bangalore facility. Red Knight was initially available only in North India. It was introduced in South India on 23 November 2007.

The Khoday Group, also known as the House of Khodays, is an Indian multi-service business group based in Bangalore, Karnataka. It was founded in 1906 by Khoday Eshwarsa. Khoday Group companies include Khoday Engineering, Khoday Contact Center, Ram Mohan Travels, Khoday Biotech, Khoday Agro, Khoday Technologies, Khoday Glass, Khodays Silks and L K Power. Khoday India Ltd. is the Group's listed company on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

References

  1. ↑ "Khoday's adds strength to liquor business". The Hindu . 2001-02-14. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  2. ↑ "Khoday Red Knight Whisky storms into south Indian markets". Fnbnews.com. 2007-12-08. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  3. 1 2 "Scotch Whisky in Supreme Court". The Indian Express . 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  4. ↑ "Khoday's". Khodaygroup.com. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  5. ↑ "UB expects CSD sales to boost Signature whisky". Business Line . 2004-02-05. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  6. ↑ Anil Urs (2002-10-03). "McDowell's Signature to enter defence canteen stores". The Economic Times . TNN. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  7. ↑ "SUPREME COURTS BARS CHALLENGE TO "PETER SCOT" ON PRINCIPLES OF ACQUIESCENCE AND/ OR WAIVER" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  8. ↑ "No half measures for Scotch whisky". BBC News. 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  9. ↑ Dhananjay Mahapatra (2008-05-28). "Scotch or not, 'Peter Scot' won't be banned: SC". The Times of India . TNN. Archived from the original on 2013-07-16. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  10. ↑ Dhananjay Mahapatra (2008-05-30). "'Made in India' tag can't fool Scotch whisky drinkers: SC". The Times of India . TNN. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  11. ↑ Boby Kurian (2008-05-31). "Scotch body may take local Scot to WTO". The Economic Times . TNN. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  12. ↑ "Whisky lobbyists keep spirits up after 20 years in court". The Scotsman. 2008-05-31. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  13. ↑ "The Hindu News Update Service". The Hindu . 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  14. ↑ Khoday to export whiskies to Europe - Economic Times. Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com (2007-10-01). Retrieved on 2013-12-23.
  15. ↑ Govind, Deepti (20 February 2019). "Khoday's bets big on single malt whisky with new launch". mint. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  16. ↑ "6 Indian whisky brands you need to try at least once in your lifetime". GQ India. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  17. ↑ "House of Khoday launches Peter Scot Black Single Malt whisky". www.indulgexpress.com. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  18. ↑ "Peter Scot joins the single malt bandwagon as House of Khoday Ventures Into the elite Segment". THE FOODIE TALES. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
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