Funfact: How Old Monk got it’s name
A young you, and an Old Monk goes back like this…
Many a story has come out as friends — old and new — passed around a bottle of Old Monk. A lot of engineering students would agree that Old Monk was almost a rite of passage — downing the drink as seniors watched marked your entry into college life. Today, we look back at the story about the so-called ‘India’s national beverage’ and why is it called Old Monk?
It all began in 1855 In the dreamy hill town of Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, India. A Scotsman by the name of Edward Abraham Dyer set up a brewery to serve the Brits. He produced what might be Asia’s first European beer — called Lion — which is available even today. Alas, his son gained more notoriety than him — you see, Edward was the father of repugnance-inducing General Dyer whom we all remember from history books. Later, H.G. Meakin purchased Dyer’s brewery which post-independence, was acquired by N.N. Mohan and renamed ‘Mohan Meakin’. In fact, it’s believed that the joyful face on the label is actually Meakin’s. (!) Mohan moved base to Ghaziabad, U.P. where Old Monk is still produced. But wait, Old Monk was nowhere in sight yet.
It was only in Dec 1954 that Mohan’s son, the colourful personality Colonel Ved Rattan Mohan introduced the star project. In one of his trips to Europe he was smitten by the ascetic lifestyle of Catholic Benedictine monks and the drinks they brewed in the mountains.
He wanted to capture their spirit in a bottle and as a tribute, he named the rum he created ‘Old Monk’.
Following his untimely death at the age of 45, his brother, Brigadier Kapil Mohan took over and expanded the business. Matured in oak vats for seven years and infused with spices, this drink with a distinct vanilla flavor became hugely popular. Remember, Mohan Meakin never officially advertised the product — it was all word of mouth. With its collectible bottle designs, affordable pricing and superior quality, it became the largest selling dark rum in the world. Its share in India has now declined to 5% from 15% during its heydays.
