India’s rich tea heritage will now meet Scotland’s time-honoured spirits tradition, as Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi acquires a 21% stake in Rutland Square Spirits Ltd, a Scottish spirits and award-winning company founded by Nishant Sharma, renowned for its oolong white tea-infused spirit.
This partnership bridges two rich traditions; India’s tea heritage and Scotland’s spirits legacy; by infusing Dibrugarh’s renowned tea leaves into premium artisanal spirits.
A vision for sustainable hospitality
As a key milestone in this partnership, a net-zero luxury hotel is planned in Edinburgh—a visionary project set to redefine sustainable hospitality in Scotland. Designed as a landmark retreat, it will blend heritage, innovation, and a deep connection to the land, offering guests an unparalleled luxury experience amid Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes.
Featuring Scotland’s first Ayurvedic wellness centre and Europe’s first hydrogen-powered facilities, it will set a new standard for luxury and sustainability.
Building bridges between cultures
Vivek Oberoi shared: “I am thrilled to join Rutland Square. 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. This marks a new chapter in Scotland’s hospitality sector, promising a future of sustainability, heritage, and world-class experiences. Rutland Square Spirits is taking it a step further by curating a blended experience of Indian heritage. I am excited to begin the work of bringing it to life.”
A celebration of cross-cultural craftsmanship
Nishant Sharma, Founder and CEO, and Veenu Sharma, Director of Rutland Square said, “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.”
Strategic timing for UK–India collaboration
This move reflects a growing trend of UK-India trade finding a strategic sweet spot, with the food and beverage sector emerging as a key driver of stronger bilateral ties. India remains the world’s largest whisky market, with exports rising by 13.8%. As UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations progress, the deal could open major opportunities—lowering tariffs on UK whisky and allowing premium Indian brands, including homegrown single malts and artisanal spirits, to compete more effectively in global markets.
