Angus McDowell founded McDowell & Co distillery in 1898. It was the first whiskey distillery in the Indian subcontinent. He used wheat from Punjab to make his whisky. The company also brewed beer.

In 2013, McDowell’s No.1 whisky made a profit of $3.8 billion. The brand is sold in 20 countries worldwide. In India, it is the number one selling whisky. The whisky is a blend of imported Scotch whiskies and Indian malts. Its logo depicts a pair of friends hugging each other.