Old Monk was first introduced in 1954 by Colonel Ved Rattan Mohan and has been India’s best-known dark rum ever since, made by Mohan Meakin from a vatted blend of well-aged spirits with a distinct underlying vanilla character. Alongside that vanilla, expect strong tones of stewed fruit and burnt caramel, with roasted coffee beans and chocolate developing further in, and a touch of liquorice on the finish. It’s bottled at 42.8% ABV, the same proof across most of the Old Monk range, and built for everyday drinking rather than slow sipping: neat, on the rocks, or in the rum and cola it’s most commonly served with across India.




