Brigadier Kapil Mohan: The man who gave Old Monk its success flavour

Many a tears were shed as well as toasts raised – all as a salute to the man who led rum brand Old Monk to its iconic success. The year began on a sad note for all rum lovers – Brigadier (Retd) Kapil Mohan, former Chairman and MD of Mohan Meakin Ltd, passed away on January 6. Though he was the man who led the brand to great success, it was his late elder brother, Colonel Ved Ratan Mohan, who created Old Monk. Trust the faujis to give such a venerable twist to the good old bacchus! 

Launched on December 19, 1954, Old Monk was a result of Colonel Ved Ratan Mohan’s trip to Europe, where he was introduced to the Benedictine monks and the magic touch they gave to their spirits. 

For centuries, rum has been associated with pirates and sailors, gaining legendary status. In more modern times, rum has become the drink of students and men in uniform. Compared to other forms of spirits, rum, for some particular reason, has come to be associated with masculinity. The dark coloured drink has kept company to our army men at the border, even as it flowed through hostel corridors. And ruling it all is rum raja – Old Monk, which has been the country’s favourite rum brand. 

Brigadier Kapil Mohan, who was in the Territorial Army, took over the reins at Mohan Meakin in 1973 after his brother, Colonel Ved Ratan Mohan passed away. Since then, he had led the company successfully and during his tenure Mohan Meakin diversified into different businesses, which included breakfast food, fruit products & juices, malt houses, malt extract factories, glass factories, cold storages as well as engineering works. 

He also led Old Monk to foreign shores, and the brand was the largest selling dark rum brand globally for decades. However, faced with the onslaught of newer brands and evolving tastes of patrons, Old Monk has been on the decline for some years now. But the brand’s legacy and customer loyalty will remain. 

People from all walks as well as various media houses took to social media to pay tribute to Brigadier Kapil Mohan. The Viral Fever also paid tribute through their witty post on Twitter as did stand up comedian Atul Khatri. 

Click here to read more about the tweets on Old Monk.

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