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Earlier this month, our founder Nishant Sharma joined host Shahid Durrani on the Super Entrepreneurs Podcast to share the unfiltered story behind Rutland Square Spirits — a journey from near-bankruptcy, a heart attack, and shameless persistence to shipping container loads of premium Scottish gin across three continents.
If you're an aspiring spirits entrepreneur, a craft gin enthusiast, or simply someone who believes in the power of family legacy and grit, this episode is essential listening.
The Journey: From One Bottle to Global Shelves
Twenty years ago, Nishant arrived in Scotland as an immigrant, starting his career washing dishes, cleaning toilets, and waiting tables. Through sheer determination, he climbed the corporate ladder — working with BlackRock, HSBC, and Citibank — eventually becoming a programme director at the University of Edinburgh.
But financial comfort wasn't enough. When his great-grandmother passed away in India, it sparked a profound question: What legacy am I building?
The answer lay buried in his family history. Nishant's great-grandfather, Tej Ram Bawa, ran an illegal spirits operation in 1940s Assam, blending single malt whisky for British officers and local communities. That rebellious entrepreneurial spirit had been dormant for generations — until Nishant decided to revive it.
Building a Gin Brand With No Money, No Connections, No Experience
Starting from a small box room in his Edinburgh home in 2020, Nishant launched Rutland Square Gin with virtually nothing. He couldn't afford to pursue his original dream of whisky (which requires millions in capital and years of ageing), so he pivoted to gin — a spirit he could craft, control, and bring to market faster.
The early days were brutal:
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Failed twice and came close to bankruptcy on both occasions
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Sold everything he owned to keep the business afloat
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Suffered a heart attack from the relentless stress
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Hand-sold his first bottle to a single buyer in Edinburgh
But Nishant kept going. Why? Because, as he shared on the podcast: "It's not about where you end up — it's about surviving another day."
The Breakthrough: Bollywood, Persistence, and a 5-Year Contract
In May 2025, Bollywood actor and billionaire investor Vivek Oberoi joined Rutland Square Spirits as co-founder. Oberoi, who has starred in over 100 films and built a real estate empire in Dubai, brought the brand visibility, credibility, and strategic firepower.
But even before that pivotal moment, Nishant's strategy was built on one word: shameless. He cold-emailed over 1,000 distributors, retailers, and buyers. He followed up relentlessly. One major contract took five years from first contact to signature.
"You need to keep knocking on doors… shamelessly," Nishant said. "That's the only way you break through the naysayers."
Where Rutland Square Stands Today
Fast forward to 2026, and Rutland Square Spirits is on track to hit £2 million in annual revenue. The brand now:
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Exports to India, the GCC, and Canada (recently launching in LCBO Ontario)
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Maintains pan-UK distribution
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Employs a team of 25-27 full-time staff across offices in Edinburgh and New Delhi
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Prepares to launch across Europe in the coming months
All of this was built without prior industry experience, venture capital, or a safety net.
Three Lessons for Aspiring Spirits Entrepreneurs
During the podcast, Nishant shared hard-won insights for anyone looking to launch a premium brand in a saturated market:
1. Your Story Matters More Than Your Product
"Your product is just a vessel — your story is what connects people," Nishant explained. Rutland Square Gin isn't just about botanicals and distillation. It's about bridging Indian heritage and Scottish craftsmanship, honouring a great-grandfather's rebellious legacy, and creating something meaningful.
2. Don't Measure Success Only Through Money
Nishant nearly gave up twice because he was fixated on revenue. The turning point came when he realised success wasn't about personal wealth — it was about the 25 people who believed in his vision and depended on him. "Failure isn't the problem — measuring success only through money is."
3. Build Relationships Before You Build Distribution
Distribution deals don't happen overnight. Nishant started reaching out to buyers in 2021 when he only had a prototype. Some contracts didn't close until 2026. His advice? Invest in people, not just marketing. Multiply your effort by building a team that believes in the mission.
Watch the Full Episode
The Super Entrepreneurs Podcast episode is now live on Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Nishant discusses:
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How his great-grandfather's illegal whisky operation shaped his journey
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Why he left a high-paying banking career for entrepreneurship
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The mindset shift that saved him from giving up
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How AI tools now help him fire 50 emails a day instead of five
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His message to every struggling founder: "If you're happy and ready to be fuelled by pain, pick this path."
Discover Rutland Square Spirits
Rutland Square Gin and our Chai Spiced Scottish Rum are crafted to honour heritage, celebrate innovation, and connect two nations — Scotland and India. Each bottle tells a story nearly 100 years in the making.
Explore our full range and discover the spirit of resilience at rutlandsquare.com.
