For generations of Indian soldiers and veterans, Old Monk has been more than a rum. Its sudden disappearance from many Canteen Stores Department (CSD) outlets in recent months has therefore prompted considerable speculation within the armed forces community. The development comes against the backdrop of recent regulatory action by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) involving certain Old Monk variants.
Keywords: Old Monk Rum, CSD Canteens, Indian Armed Forces, FSSAI, Mohan Meakin, Defence Canteen, Military Liquor, Indian Defence, Rum, liquor
The issue is not, however, a blanket finding that Old Monk is poisonous or that the brand itself has been banned across the Indian military. FSSAI has prohibited the sale of three Old Monk variants manufactured at Mohan Rocky Springwater’s Khopoli facility in Maharashtra, after laboratory testing found external artificial or “nature-identical” flavouring substances. The regulator said such practices could mask the naturally developed characteristics expected of rum.
The government has also questioned the “7 years old blended” representation on an Old Monk XXX rum product, stating that, under the applicable regulations, the age claim for a blended spirit is determined by the youngest spirit used in the blend. Importantly, publicly available regulatory reporting does not establish that a toxic or dangerous spirit was added to Old Monk. The controversy concerns formulation, flavouring and labelling compliance.
That development helps explain why the brand has become difficult to find, although a formal, service-wide Army order banning every Old Monk product has not been publicly established. The CSD continues to list Old Monk, Index No. 78154, in its liquor catalogue, while its February 2026 bulletin recorded a price revision for the product before the latest regulatory action.
Old Monk’s extraordinary military following has deep roots. Produced by Mohan Meakin, whose industrial history stretches back to the 1855 Kasauli brewery established by Edward Dyer, the dark rum was launched in 1954 and became closely associated with generations of Indian service personnel.
Its appeal has rested on a distinctive flavour profile, affordability, recognisable square bottle, long-standing brand identity and, perhaps most importantly, word-of-mouth loyalty. Unlike many modern liquor brands, Old Monk historically relied little on conventional advertising, allowing its reputation to grow organically.
For now, the Old Monk saga is best understood not as the demise of an iconic military favourite, but as a regulatory dispute that has temporarily disrupted supplies of some variants. Whether and when the affected products return to CSD shelves will depend on regulatory compliance, manufacturing changes and the outcome of any legal challenge.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.