When you think of Nepal, what comes to mind? It’s the majestic Mount Everest; we bet it’s certainly not rum! However, this rum from Nepal has truly taken over the world and has now arrived in India. Yes, we are talking about Khukri Rum! The award-winning brand is one of Nepal’s most iconic liquor brands and is known for its craftsmanship and quality products. Read on to know more about it.
Birth Of Khukri Rum
In 1959, three Parsi businessmen – Jamshedji R. Contractor, Jehan H. Contractor, and Soli R. Manekshaw – had the idea to establish a distillery in Kathmandu, Nepal. They chose to produce dark rum at a time when liquor in Nepal was primarily limited to home-brewed spirits. The launch of a branded dark rum marked a significant turning point in Nepal’s liquor market. This initiative has since evolved into a legacy that has lasted over 60 years. Now, after more than six decades of success, the brand is finally making its debut in India.
The businessmen established three distilleries in Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim. They decided to name it Khukri after Nepal’s signature curved knife. This knife is about 12 to 15 inches associated with the Gurkha community of Nepal. The Gurkha community and the Khukri hold special significance in Nepal’s culture, which is why they decided to go with this name.
How Khukri Rum Is Made
Late Krishna Bahadur Bohara was the first blender of this dark rum. Today, the brand is soaring to new heights under the guidance of Krishna Kumar Bohara. He is the third-generation master blender carrying forward the legacy of Khukri Rum.
As to how it’s made, it sources its sugarcane from Nepal’s Terai belt. The fertile soil of this region is what makes the sugarcane of top-notch quality. The extracted sugarcane juice is then fermented with yeast and Himalayan water to produce alcohol. Yes, pure Himalayan water! The alcohol was originally distilled using pot stills, however, the brand uses advanced column still distillation today. The result of this advanced distillation? A traditional alcohol that meets global standards.
Khukri Rum uses traditional spices to give it its signature texture and taste. They use Nepalese sugar to produce natural caramel in a traditional wood-fired furnace. In this procedure, they employ an ancient caramelization technique that balances the color with use in minimal quantities.
After that, the rum is matured in Shorea Robusta barrels. These barrels are made of sal trees, native to India and Nepal and are aged for a long time. Some reserves are aged for over 45 years. This ensures that these reserves achieve enough depth and complexity of flavors. The high-altitude, cool climate slows down the process and enriches the spirit’s character.
Khukri is available in three varieties, Khukri XXX Rum, Khukri Spiced Rum and Khukri White Rum.
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Khukri Himalayan XXX Rum
The classic Himalayan XXX Rum is inarguably the brand’s most recognizable offering. It is distilled with rich molasses, Himalayan spring water, and natural artisanal flavors. With an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 42.8%. On the nose, you get hints of toffee, vanilla, and prune and a sip of the rum will unpack flavors of honey spiced with Himalayan herbs and fruits.
Khukri Spiced Rum
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The Khukri Spiced Rum is a popular variant of the Khukri Rum and is infused with Nepalese spices. Rich molasses and waters from Himalayan springs come together to produce this mahogany-colored spiced rum. On the nose, you get hints of cardamom, ginger, and hints of toffee. Take a sip of the Khukri Spiced Rum, and you’ll taste the rum enriched with woody cinnamon and dried fruits, leaving a smooth finish.
Coronation Khukri Rum
This selected reserve was created in honor of the prestigious occasion of Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev’s Coronation ceremony in 1974. This is why it is named Coronation Khukri.
A striking feature of this rum is the unique bottle that is shaped like a Khukri itself! The transparent glass bottle helps display the amber-colored liquor. It gives an illusion of the glistening blade of the Khukri knife. This rum is not just any ordinary rum, it is a national symbol of pride, bravery, and elegance packed in a bottle. On the nose, you get hints of toffee, vanilla, and prune. Whereas, a sip of the rum will unfold the flavors of honey spiced with Himalayan herbs and fruits.
Khukri Rum: Global And Indian Expansion
Khukri Rum has been recognised internationally with several prestigious awards. These include the Bronze Award at the 2024 International Wine and Spirit Competition, Silver at the 2004 World Selection of Spirits & Liqueurs, as well as Gold at the International Rum Festival, among many others.
The brand has already gained a foothold in major international markets like Japan, Italy, and the United States of America to name a few. Now, the dark rum brand is eyeing to enter the Indian market and is, in fact, confident about connecting with the patrons here.
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Summing Up
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The brand will be available in selected states such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Goa for now. They are planning to expand into other states by next year – 2026. Regarding pricing, the Khukri XXX Rum 750 ml bottle is priced at INR 1765, while the spiced and white varieties are priced at INR 1975 in Maharashtra. It will be interesting to monitor how the brand establishes its presence in the Indian market.
