Who was Kapil Mohan, the teetotaller who created the iconic 'Old Monk' rum

In addition to “Old Monk” rum, Kapil Mohan was also the man behind other famous brands like Solan No.1 and Golden Eagle.

88-year-old Kapil Mohan, former Chairman and Managing Director(MD) of India’s first known brewery Mohan Meakin Ltd, passed away on January 6 this year.

After launching the “Old Monk” brand on 19 December 1954, Kapil Mohan developed three distilleries, two breweries and a host of new franchises in India under his leadership.

Not only that, under Kapil Mohan’s guidance, Mohan Meakin forayed into diverse business areas such as malt houses, glass factories, breakfast food, fruit products and juices, malt extract factories, cold storages and engineering works among others.

Under his leadership, Mohan Meakin Ltd evolved into a formidable business house with a turnover exceeding Rs 400 crore.

Kapil Mohan is survived by his wife Pushpa Mohan. Mohan  was keeping unwell for last few years and in view of his continuing illness, he had handed over day to day functioning of the various companies to his nephews, Hemant and Vinay Mohan.