Everyone knows an Old Monk guy. Not ones to get swayed with a stash of single malts, these hardcore dark rum devotees only swear by the comforting sweetness of what is perhaps India’s most famous rum.
“Old Monk is not a drink. It’s a cult,” declares 44-year-old legal advisor Arpan Sarkar, who identifies as a superfan of the drink. For many like Sarkar, Old Monk has been part of the Indian coming-of-age starter pack. Who’s not familiar with good old Old Monk-and-Coke? Sarkar first encountered his favourite tipple in college when he was living in a hostel, and decades later calls it his drink of choice.
The thing about Old Monk is that it has real fans. Like Sarkar, most hardcore loyalists have their reasons—some cite no hangovers, some turn gourmets discussing its sweet, caramel flavour, others keep going back to it for the sake of nostalgia and all the good times. But its most obvious draw is its humble price point. Sold for around ₹600 for a 750 ml bottle, it is perhaps cheaper than a taxi from Colaba to Andheri on a regular workday. As favoured by our army men as it is by the broke college-goer and as freely poured at BBQ winter parties in Lutyens’ Delhi as it is available in mini tetra packs across stores in Bengaluru, the cult of Old Monk breaks across generations and geographies.
Lately, though, the Maharashtra belt is showing signs of distress. The rum’s conspicuous absence at wine shops is inexplicable but the internet has its theories: A user on r/pune Reddit thread says, “It’s rainy season, people go BONKERS to have old monk. (I’m people.)”
Some speculate that a family feud at the Mohan Meakin household has caused the scarcity. Others think it may be the State government’s agenda to push more made-in-Maharashtra booze that may have prompted this artificial shortage. Another Reddit user says, “I heard from a wine shop owner/salesperson at Bhandarkar Road that their factory is shut down by FDA. Will likely be out of stock for 2 to 3 months.” Whatever the reason, the people want Old Monk and they want it now.
The Nod reached out to three Old Monk superfans to check in and see how they are coping.
Arpan Sarkar, 44, legal advisor at a private bank
When did you become a superfan?
Since I was in college, we did not have money to buy other alcohol, and we were experimenting with Old Monk, so that’s when I got hooked. That was 20 years ago.
Have you been impacted by the shortage?
I went off on a holiday to Himachal, and when I left Mumbai was steaming, right? It was very hot and I was probably not having Old Monk as much. But when I came back, it just started pouring, and that’s the best time to have Old Monk. So, I called my regular guy and he said, “Stock nahi hai, Old Monk Supreme milega.” And he gave me that bottle. After that bottle got over, I called him again—still no stock. I also called another wine shop in the area, which had no OM varieties available either—this was almost a month ago and this is still the case.
So, how are you coping?
I’m substituting it with Bacardi Black, which I do not particularly like. The wine shop guys gave me some other Blender’s Pride variant, which was horrible. So, I’ve not had Old Monk for the last two months, maybe.
Favourite Old Monk memory?
My father used to love Old Monk. When I was in my first year of college, I told him I was not feeling well—it was the weather, I was coughing. I asked, “What medicine should I have?” He said, “You don’t need to have any medicine. Do you have Old Monk at home? Just take 60 ml of it, add some lukewarm water, and sip it.” And then he sarcastically added, “You love Old Monk, but you don’t know it has medicinal qualities?”
Another time, it was winter. I landed at Chandigarh airport, and I was not feeling too well, continuously coughing in the Uber to my friend’s place. And the Uber driver turned around and said, “Arey sir, jahaan bhi ja rahe ho, ek Old Monk mangao, garam paani lo, aur pee loon.” He told me I’d be absolutely fine then. There is an Old Monk reference everywhere.
Ian Pereira, 68, retired photographer
When did you become a superfan?
At least 40 years ago. I drink one peg of Old Monk 363 days of the year—the exceptions being Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. My sisters and brothers come down and gift me bottles of fancy rum, so occasionally I do have that, but otherwise it’s all Old Monk. I have a showcase in my home dedicated to different types and sizes of Old Monk bottles—the regular one, the mini, the monk-shaped one, the tetra pack, the Breezer-style bottle, and even a white Old Monk from Dubai.
Have you been impacted by the shortage?
Fortunately, I had some bottles with me. Plus, my wife’s classmate’s husband has a shop, and he actually directed me to another spot. I only managed to get quarters. So now I think I’ve enough stock for around 10 to 12 days.
What’s your strategy to cope if this goes beyond 12 days?
I guess other rums—Bacardi Black, Bacardi White, and other imported rums till I get stock.
Hitesh Gilder, 59, artist and business owner
When did you become a superfan?
It’s been 30 years. It was the first hard drink I ever tried. Even today, when I go out, that’s the only thing I like to drink. All my friends keep a bottle in their bar specially for me.
Have you been impacted by the shortage?
Definitely. A friend who was hosting some people wanted a bottle but couldn’t find one anywhere, so he called me because he knew I’d have a bottle. Luckily, I went to a small wine shop near my factory in Lower Parel and found two quarters, which I immediately bought, but that’s all he had available.
First thought when you realised there was a shortage?
I need to buy more. Now.
Favourite Old Monk memory?
At my daughter’s sangeet, the bartender created a special Old Monk cocktail for me, which we added to the menu and named The Gilder. The bartending company said they’d rarely seen a request for Old Monk cocktails, but it was the drink of the night. Plus, it was served with everyone’s favourite chakna—popcorn.
