India, March 24 -- This story starts not with the clink of ice or the splash of spirits, but with silence -the quiet absence of something precious. It begins with what was once celebrated and then suppressed, cherished and then nearly forgotten. Before cocktails were shaken and stirred, Indian drinking was ceremonial - rooted deeply in ritual, identity, and reverence. Our spirits weren't merely beverages; they were invocations. They carried memory, heritage, and a sense of belonging.

This chapter revisits that silence, retracing the journey from pride through erasure, and lays the foundation for revival. To truly appreciate what we're rediscovering, we must first remember a time before whiskey touched our shores.

Once Upon a Time, There...