Indian whiskey brand Woodsmen Mountain Whiskey raises $1.5M in a Series A round

Woodsmen Mountain Whiskey, an Indian whiskey brand, has secured $1.5 million in a Series A funding round led by FinFirst Group and Anthill Ventures, with participation from a mix of new and existing investors. 

Among them are Sixth Sense Ventures' Nikhil Vora, Chaitanya Rathi, former COO of Sula Vineyards, and Shantanu Deshpande, founder of Bombay Shaving Co. Notably, the core team of Ginglani Distillers, the parent company, also participated in the Series A round.

Expanding its market reach 

According to the startup, the raised funding will be used to expand its market reach, double down on marketing efforts, introduce new products, including a single malt range, and bolster its team. The startup aims to navigate the competitive landscape of the Indian alcoholic drinks market and carve a unique niche for the brand.

Differentiating from other brands 

Founded by Shivam Ginglani, Woodsmen Mountain Whiskey distinguishes itself with its Himalayan origin-led "Mountain Whiskey" positioning. The startup said that its unique selling proposition, focusing on authenticity, quality, and innovative storytelling, has resonated well with millennials and Gen Z drinkers.

The brand claims to have sold over 2 million bottles this year alone and achieved a 400% growth in FY23.

Doubling financial growth 

The brand aims to establish a significant Indian whiskey brand, planning to significantly increase its revenue and achieve over Rs. 100 crore in gross Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). To reach this goal, Woodsmen Mountain Whiskey is looking to expand into new markets and improve its brand visibility with digital and traditional marketing strategies.

Chaitanya Rathi, an investor and former COO of Sula Vineyards, said, "As a seasoned industry professional, I have been guiding Shivam as he builds his whiskey company ground up. Within the first 2 years in the largest whiskey market in the world, Shivam’s unique Himalayan origin-led “Mountain Whiskey” positioning for Woodsmen, has been able to carve a unique niche for itself away from the old-standing IMFL whisky code by focusing on quality, brand and story."