Ruchira Neotia at the IWSC backdrop, 2026

Drinks writer, whisky judge and conference host, London and India

Hello, I'm Ruchira

Born in India, I've lived on five continents and now split my time between East London and India. For twenty years I built brands for other people. Then wine and whisky got the better of me.

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“My typical day is anything but typical. Morning might find me judging a Spirits Award; afternoon, introducing a drinks journalist to the only fully Indian-owned Champagne, then advising a brand on India’s market before brainstorming a bold new drink-paired supperclub with a Thai chef.”

From People of the Livery, Distillate, issue 25, February 2026. Read it

At American Express I launched the company's first global brand identity and led its India launch. I ran public-sector marketing for Apple across Australia and New Zealand, worked in Microsoft's advertising and education teams, and was interim CMO of Money20/20, co-owning an £80 million P&L.

Along the way I took my WSET Diploma, collected Level 3 Distinctions in spirits, wine and sake, and made drinks my full-time work.

Today I write, judge, present and consult. My particular cause is Indian whisky and India's heritage spirits, which the world underrated for far too long. I'm proud to be Indian, and prouder still to see Indian single malts judged as a category of their own.

I'm a patron of The Drinks Trust, the charity that supports people working across the UK drinks industry.

I'm a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Distillers and Chair the New Members Activation Team.

Off duty, you'll find me rereading Wodehouse or arguing that there is a Champagne for absolutely everything. I'm also a pre-solo pilot, on an extended break, and have flown the English Channel on a single propeller.