Director's Special (whisky)

Director's Special, commonly referred to by its abbreviation DSP, is a brand of Indian whisky, manufactured by United Spirits Ltd (USL). It is molasses based. Shaw Wallace won a legal battle in US courts against the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) to sell the product as "whisky".[1]

History

DSP was originally manufactured by Shaw Wallace.[2]

United Spirits Ltd (USL), a subsidiary of the United Breweries Group (UB Group), acquired Shaw Wallace in July 2005.[3] On 1 April 2008, Shaw Wallace was merged with USL and DSP officially became a USL brand.[4] In April 2008, the UB Group appointed London-based design firm Claessens International to create new packaging.[5][6]

DSP Black

DSP Black, expanded to Director's Special Black, is an extension of the Director's Special brand into the deluxe whisky segment[7] of the Indian market. It was launched in 1988 by Shaw Wallace.[8]

Sales

The following table shows the annual sales of Director's Special and DSP Black:

See also

  • List of Indian beverages

References

  1. Real whisky- distilled in India from syrup The Scotsman, 23 June 2002, retrieved 29 July 2013^
  2. DSP whisky aims for top slot Business Line, 23 April 2002, retrieved 29 July 2013^
  3. Radico, Mason, BDA in fray for part of SWC liquor biz ICICI Bank talking to suitors Business Line, 31 May 2005, retrieved 9 June 2013^
  4. Shaw Wallace board okays merger with USL The Hindu, 2007-11-30, retrieved 9 June 2013^
  5. Udit Prasanna Mukherji. Mallya to keep brand Shaw Wallace alive The Times of India, 26 April 2008, retrieved 9 June 2013^
  6. M Padmakshan. Liquor brands going for stylish, sleeker looks The Economic Times, 3 August 2002, retrieved 9 June 2013^
  7. SWC to expand its portfolio, tap low-end market The Indian Express, 16 November 1998, retrieved 29 July 2013^
  8. DSP Black Unitedspirits.in, retrieved 29 July 2013^
  9. WORLD WHISKIES – Brand Champions 2012 Thespiritsbusiness.com, 18 July 2012, retrieved 8 June 2013^
  10. Indian Whisky Brand Champions 2013 Thespiritsbusiness.com, 8 July 2013, retrieved 29 July 2013^