Guwahati: In a remarkable fusion of Indian heritage and Scottish tradition, Bollywood actor and entrepreneur Dr. Vivek Anand Oberoi has acquired a 21% stake in Rutland Square Spirits Ltd, a premium Scottish spirits company renowned for its innovative oolong white tea-infused gin. This partnership not only celebrates the rich tea culture of Assam but also paves the way for a groundbreaking luxury hotel in Edinburgh.
Rutland Square Spirits, co-founded by Nishant Sharma, has carved a niche by blending Assam’s prized oolong white tea with traditional Scottish distillation methods. The tea leaves, sourced from Dibrugarh—known as the “Tea Capital of the World”—along with neighboring districts Tinsukia and Sivasagar, contribute to nearly 50% of India’s tea production. This unique infusion has garnered international acclaim, earning prestigious awards such as the Scottish Gin Awards Gold and the IWSC Bronze.
Nishant Sharma’s grandparents are from Dibrugarh district in Assam. Sharma set out to revive his great-grandfather Tej Ram’s spirit enterprise, which was born in the 1940s in Northeast India. Tej was an Indian spirit entrepreneur and visionary who distilled gin and blended whisky in Dibrugarh, Assam—a city famous the world over for its tea.
A Visionary Luxury Hotel in Edinburgh
As a key milestone in this collaboration, plans are underway for a net-zero luxury hotel in Edinburgh. This visionary project aims to redefine sustainable hospitality by featuring Scotland’s first Ayurvedic wellness center and Europe’s first hydrogen-powered hotel infrastructure. Designed to blend heritage, innovation, and a deep connection to the land, the hotel promises guests an unparalleled luxury experience amid Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes.
“This news is set to place Dibrugarh on the global map. While Assam is well-known, it hasn’t yet fully broken through on an international scale. With this development, we’re creating a strong global visibility play—one that will not only spotlight the region but also drive more trade and opportunity into Assam,” Nishant Sharma says.
Dr. Vivek Anand Oberoi expressed his enthusiasm for the venture, stating, “This project is an exciting bridge between two economies and cultures. Scotland is a beautiful country with deep-rooted traditions and a strong Indian business community. I look forward to working closely with the team to bring this vision to life.”
Nishant Sharma, Founder and CEO of Rutland Square Spirits, added, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Vivek Oberoi to the Rutland Square family. This collaboration is a testament to the strong and growing relationship between Scotland, India, and the wider South Asian community. This partnership goes beyond an investment—we look forward to creating something special, a place that celebrates artisanal craftsmanship, cultural richness, and the warm hospitality that both Scotland and India are known for.”
This partnership aligns with the broader trend of strengthening UK-India trade relations, particularly in the food and beverage sector. India, being the world’s largest whisky market with exports growing by 13.8%, stands to benefit from ongoing UK-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations, potentially reducing tariffs and expanding global access for premium Indian and UK spirits.
This collaboration not only elevates Assam’s global profile but also sets a precedent for future cross-cultural ventures that celebrate heritage while embracing innovation. By integrating Assam’s tea heritage into Scotland’s spirits industry and hospitality sector, this partnership showcases the potential of cultural fusion in creating unique and sustainable luxury experiences.
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