Restaurant India News: Radiant Manufacturers Launches Whisky Sunsets 2.0 in Goa with Jim Murray

Radiant Manufacturers hosted an industry event in Goa to mark the launch of Whiskey Sunsets 2.0 and introduce its spirits portfolio to the local market. The event took place at Taj Vivanta Miramar and brought together hospitality professionals, trade partners, and whisky enthusiasts.

The event also highlighted the company’s plans to enter the Goa market with Castle Hill Dark Knight Small Batch Whiskey. Radiant Manufacturers said it is currently working with regional distributors and on-trade partners ahead of an official rollout targeted for July 2026 as part of its broader expansion strategy in India.

The coffee table book Whiskey Sunsets 2.0 has been written by alco-beverage journalist and brand consultant Pritisha Borthakur. The publication documents the distillery’s history from its early operations to its current expansion phase. It also explores spirits emerging from Northeast India, the processes behind the blends, the team involved in production, cocktail recipes, and insights into the company’s future plans.

The book was formally unveiled by internationally known whisky critic Jim Murray along with Vicky Chand, Director and CEO of Radiant Manufacturers, Jeewan Chand, Lead Blender and Distiller, and entrepreneur and business advisor Pradeep Gidwani.

Following the launch, Murray conducted a guided tasting session featuring Castle Hill Dark Knight Small Batch Whiskey in its 2-year-old and 4-year-old expressions. Both variants are listed in the Jim Murray's Whisky Bible, where they have received high ratings from the global whisky community. During the session, Murray discussed aspects such as aroma, mouthfeel, structure, and finish, while also sharing observations on maturation and blending methods.

Murray said, “I look for hidden gems in the whisky world, and I certainly found that when I braved the spectacularly destructive monsoon thunderstorms of the North East to reach Radiant. There is no getting away from the fact that the prevalent Indian rice grains are nondescript — purposely so — and carry out a very simple job. They do the work they are designed to do. Radiant’s distillery, charmingly situated amid hills and jungle, offers so much more: a corn grain that bursts with character. Genuinely a whisky in its own right, just as the grains of Scotland can rightfully make the same claim. In those far-off hills, I really did find a golden nugget. So Dark Knight cruised to Indian Grain of the Year in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2026, in the new India section. It was a classy addition to the lexicon of Indian whisky.”

Guests at the event also sampled other products from the company’s portfolio, including Lost Treasure Coffee Rum, Vinho Porto Wine, White Magic Tango Gin – Orange, and the recently launched Infamous Northeast Rebel Double Barrel Whisky. The latter is described as a blend combining Scotch malts, Indian single malt, and corn spirit.

Vicky Chand, Director and CEO of Radiant Manufacturers, said, “Running a distillery in the Northeast has always meant building patiently, learning from the land, and staying close to the people who make the spirits possible. Our focus stays on honest production, careful blending, and creating labels that carry a sense of place. This coffee table book came from that same thought: to share how we started, what goes into our brews, and where we see the business heading. It gives readers a window into the region, our team, and the ideas shaping our portfolio, while helping more drinkers discover the story behind what reaches their glass.”