Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky: Pursuit of excellence behind one of India’s finest single malt whiskies

This is the story of South Seas Distilleries, established four decades ago from the quest to create India’s finest and rarest single malts and spirits, on par with the best in the world

Here’s a story of vision, passion, perseverance and a daring legacy in crafting luxury Indian single malt whiskies. It has been four decades since South Seas Distilleries began distilling and maturing fine malts and they have now bottled two exceptional expressions under the brand name Crazy Cock – The Single Malt Whisky. These are some of the rarest and the finest single malts from India. South Seas’ focus remains on creating fine spirits born from artistry and passion rather than mere business ambition.

Distilled to perfection

Released in extremely small batches, both these expressions are the rarest of Indian single malt whiskies and celebrate the distillery’s four decades of expertise in maturation and their deep understanding of the behaviour of oak casks in India’s very unique climate that lends these single malt whiskies their unique character. In a world where speed and scale often take precedence, it’s rare for a distillery to dedicate so much time and patiently mature such rare and precious single malts. This is not merely a business venture for South Seas Distilleries - it is a passion for the art of the whisky-making process, including maturation.

South Seas is nestled in Dahanu, Maharashtra, and known for its vast liquid libraries and housing some of the oldest and rarest malts and also for being a home to India’s largest copper pot stills. South Seas Distilleries has supported the biggest Indian and global brands for over four decades. Crazy Cock single malt whiskies, bottled in extremely small batches and having some of the finest Indian single malts, marks a new bold dawn in the distillery’s journey.

Rare oak casks that have been resting for a very long time in India’s largest maturation warehouse, have been bottled in both these expressions of luxury Indian single malt whisky and are comparable to 25-year-old single malts from cooler regions.

Fusion of passion and purpose

The founder’s vision, passion, bold mindset, resilience to overcome challenges and patience in waiting decades for the whiskies to mature is reflected in these exceptional malts. Four decades ago, when single malts were almost unheard of in India, he envisioned a world-class distillery – installing India’s largest copper pot stills and personally handpicking oak casks from across the globe to bring his dream to life. He was essentially driven by a ‘crazy’ commitment to follow his dream that defied the norms of the time and has an unrelenting commitment to his vision to craft the finest Indian single malts for the world long before the category gained recognition in the country. This dream led to the creation of a pioneering distillery with a liquid library that could rival the finest collections worldwide. The ‘cock’ in the name draws inspiration from the rooster, a symbol of new beginnings, much like the crowing of a rooster heralds a new dawn. This represents South Seas Distilleries embarking on an exciting new chapter in their history of four decades with the launch of their Crazy Cock single malt whiskies. Today, South Seas Distilleries carries this legacy and the same visionary spirit as they craft luxury single malts celebrated for their rarity, complexity and richness of flavours. The company’s focus remains on crafting nothing but the finest single malt and unique spirits. 

Distilling for the discerning consumer

After decades of crafting exceptional malts for the biggest Indian and international brands, the distillery has bottled India’s finest single malts under their very own brand. Crazy Cock – The Single Malt Whisky signals the transition from a pioneering distilling legacy hidden behind the scenes and supporting some of the biggest brands in the industry, to a bold, consumer-facing brand. It’s a bold declaration of their four decades of experience of mastering distilling and maturing single malts in India’s unique climate and a commitment to their passion and mission to put luxury Indian single malt whiskies and Indian spirits on the global map.

Two unique expressions of Crazy Cock – The Single Malt Whisky

The brand offers two distinct expressions aged in first-fill ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky - RARE, which is a full-bodied Indian single malt with a rich flavour profile, smooth palate and lingering finish, and Crazy Cock Single Malt whisky - DHUA, meaning smoke, which is the peated expression is also full-bodied with a rich and complex flavour profile laced with a smoky, warm and lingering finish.

Both expressions are bottled from the South Seas’ private collection of some of India’s oldest single malts, maturing in the country’s largest maturation warehouses at their facility in Dahanu, Maharashtra.

Every detail of Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky reflects the boldness, the attention and dedication to detail which is needed in one’s pursuit of perfection and uniqueness - from the brand name to the intricate artwork on the label to the bespoke bottle design, shaped to mirror the distillery’s iconic copper pot stills in which the malts are distilled. The company went to great lengths to source the finest quality Flor cork closures. Less than one per cent of corks worldwide are crafted to exceptional standards like these, to reflect the rarity and value of the finest liquids inside the bottles.

Travel exclusive editions

These expressions have a higher ABV of 46 per cent. They are exclusively available at duty-free outlets across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Goa and Chandigarh. These travel-exclusive editions offer a richer and more intense single malt experience, making them prized choices for discerning travellers. Apart from being available at duty-free, these expressions are also available in select retail outlets in the UAE.

Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky is only the first chapter in the journey of South Seas Distilleries' pioneering history of distilling and maturing malts in India. The distillery has also championed India’s unique spirit traditions. Among this is Six Brothers Mahura (Mahua) - India’s first global luxury heritage spirit, a spirit steeped in history and heritage and distilled entirely from the (Mahura/Mahua/Mhowra/Mahuva) Madhuca Longifolia flower. These flowers bloom every spring on the Mahura tree, also known as the ‘Wishing Tree’, which is indigenous only to India.

Mexico introduced tequila, France introduced Cognac and South Seas proudly introduces this new category to the world - India’s very own authentic heritage spirit - Six Brothers Mahura (Mahua).  Six Brothers Mahura is an extremely versatile spirit, which can be had neat, on ice or lends itself extremely well to cocktails as well as culinary delights. Once cherished by royals, Mahura was nearly lost to history after Colonial restrictions. The government of Maharashtra is one of the few State governments which recognised the value of India’s own indigenous spirits and took a positive initiative to encourage the most exceptional heritage spirit from India. South Seas Distilleries revived this ancient tradition with the launch of Six Brothers, a luxury Mahura spirit that pays homage to the six brothers of the family who in 1922 began the family’s distilling journey.

Six Brothers Mahura is crafted using the same sophisticated techniques the distillery has honed over four decades to distill their single malts and also having been enriched by distilling wisdom passed down for over a Century over four generations. Six Brothers Mahura is double distilled in India’s largest copper pot stills the very same ones used for Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky - it further undergoes platinum filtration to achieve a crisp finish. This meticulous process elevates this very versatile spirit, making it an exceptional heritage spirit from India.

Six Brothers Mahura is poised to establish a unique category for the finest heritage spirit from India, that the world can associate with the country, much like Tequila is to Mexico or Cognac is to France and Scotch to Scotland.

Powering India onto the global stage

From the unique coastal microclimate of Dahanu, Maharashtra, South Seas Distilleries is rewriting India’s spirits’ story. So, the next time you spot a bottle of Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky, take a closer look. Behind the name lies a story of passion, perseverance, patience, an eye for detail, artistry and a genuine love for the art of the process of whisky-making. Behind the bold name lies the company’s unrelenting pursuit of excellence and commitment to put the finest Indian spirits on a global platform. Experience the world of Crazy. A different kind of crazy.

Sample this! Trappings of a gracious Crazy Cock evening

Here are six dishes from around the world that will make perfect pairings with the two expressions of Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky:

Grilled Miso Salmon with Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky – Rare

This one’s from the Land of the Rising sun. The umami-rich flavour of grilled salmon glazed with miso complements the rich flavour profile of this Indian single malt whisky. Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky - Rare is full bodied, with a complex and rich flavour profile with a smooth palate and lingering finish that enhances the savoury miso notes.

Charcuterie Cheese Board with Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky – Rare

The rich, full-bodied Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky – Rare enhances the creamy, nutty and salty-sweet flavours of a charcuterie cheese board. Its rich flavour profile, smooth palate and lingering finish create a perfectly balanced pairing.

Apple Pie with Crazy Cock Single Malt – Rare

An apple pie’s warm, spiced flavours and buttery crust beautifully complement Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky – Rare’s rich, oaky notes and hints of citrus and raisins. The pie’s sweetness balances the whisky’s warmth, while the spices enhance its complexity, creating a harmonious and indulgent pairing.

Tandoori Chicken with Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky – Dhua

Now for something from home. The smoky and spiced flavours of tandoori chicken pair beautifully with a full-bodied peated single malt like Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky – Dhua, which has an extraordinary character and honeyed smokiness.

Smoked Duck with Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky - Dhua 

For that all-time favourite Continental taste, smoke-laced flavour profile like that of Crazy Cock single malt whisky - Dhua pairs excellently with smoked duck, accentuating the dish’s rich, gamey flavours. The whisky’s peat and barbecue notes mirror the smokiness of the meat, while its rich and complex flavour notes and hints of dried fruits provide a pleasant contrast to the savoury profile. 

Chargrilled Ribeye Steak with Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky - Dhua 

For a taste of Europe, Crazy Cock Single Malt whisky - Dhua’s smoky profile complements the robust flavours of a chargrilled ribeye steak, creating a harmonious pairing. The single malt’s peaty notes echo the charred crust of the steak, while its hints of dark chocolate complement the meat’s depth and juiciness, making for a luxurious culinary experience.

Disclaimer:

This article has been produced for South Seas Distilleries by DH Brandspot and does not have any editorial involvement of Deccan Herald. Readers are advised that consumption of alcohol is injurious to health and addictive, and is prohibited for people below the legal drinking age. This article is not a promotion.