outh Seas Distilleries – India’s Oldest Malt and Heritage Spirit Makers
Crafting India’s spirits with a century of distilling wisdom, South Seas Distilleries is one of India’s largest and oldest malt distilleries. Located in the coastal town of Dahanu in Maharashtra, this family-owned distillery has a traditional legacy and expertise in producing malt and heritage spirits. It is home to some of the most rare and vast liquid libraries collected and preserved through generations.
Perfecting Indian Spirits Since 1922
The journey began in 1922, when six brothers established distilleries in Aswa, Jawhar, and Akkalkot, Maharashtra. At that time, the family produced Indian spirits made from exotic fruits and flowers in copper pot stills. They also had the privilege of crafting luxury heritage spirits for the royal families and aristocrats in the region.
However, the distilling operations came to a halt after independence due to prohibition. Undeterred by this setback, the family resumed distillation in the state after prohibition, carrying forward the expertise and legacy passed down through generations. In 1984, Viraf Chinoy, a third-generation member of the family, established South Seas Distilleries in Dahanu, Maharashtra.
The 1990s Malt Journey
In the early 1990s, Mr. Chinoy envisioned creating a vast liquid library of malts that could rival any global collection. Over time, the family amassed a remarkable collection of rare casks from around the world, including sherry casks from Spain, wine casks from France, and brandy and bourbon casks from the USA. Since then, South Seas Distilleries has become a renowned supplier of premium malts to the largest Indian and global manufacturers. Now also home to India’s largest maturation warehouse, it houses considerably aged malts as far as the eyes can see. Using first-fill casks, they mature malts with a depth of flavors extracted from these rare barrels.
Distilling Expertise – Passion. Patience. Perseverance
The unique shape of their copper pot stills, retained since the distillery’s inception, ensures consistency across batches. Every production stage, from mashing to bottling, occurs at their expansive distillery in Dahanu. The attention to detail in crafting their whisky embodies the values of patience and quality over quantity.
Dahanu – A Paradise for Tropical Maturation
A unique aspect of South Seas Distilleries is its location and terroir. The unique microclimate of Dahanu (surrounded by the Sahyadri Mountain Range and coast) results in tropical maturation of the liquids, leading to a significantly higher Angel’s share compared to whiskies produced in colder climates. This maturation process imparts a complex flavour profile in the malts. Consequently, the age of these whiskies is equivalent to three to five times that of whiskies matured in colder regions.
Introducing Crazy Cock (2023) – Legacy. Luxury. Liquid
Combining the family legacy and expertise with the distinct liquid library, the family launched its first consumer brand in December 2023, Crazy Cock, a single malt whisky available in two exquisite expressions: RARE and DHUA. The term “Crazy” in the name reflects the founder’s vision in 1984 to set up a world class malt distillery and maturation warehouse with a belief that Indian single malts would achieve global acclaim in the future. The name “Cock” is derived from the crowing of the rooster, symbolising the beginning of a new chapter for South Seas Distilleries as they venture into the consumer market. The whisky label design prominently displays this rooster as well.
Bottle Design & Packaging
The bottle design of Crazy Cock single malts is a blend of tradition and sophistication resulting in a timeless visual representation. The label prominently features a rooster adorned with a monocle, symbolising the optimism of heralding a new day and a dedication to the finer things in life. The distinctive bulge at the neck of each bottle mirrors the unique shape of the copper pot stills that have been integral to the distillation process at South Seas Distilleries for decades. The cork is specially sourced from Portugal, complementing the rare liquid. Every element connects the rich history of the distillery with each bottle.