THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
When Nishant Sharma suffered a near-fatal heart attack at just 35, doctors told him he was lucky to be alive.
The founder of Edinburgh’s Rutland Square Spirits had spent years chasing his dream — and ignoring the warning signs.
“I thought if I just worked harder, I could fix everything,” he says. “It doesn’t work like that. After the heart attack, I realised that looking after yourself isn’t indulgent — it’s essential. We talk about resilience as pushing harder, but true resilience is knowing when to stop.”
As International Men’s Day (19 November) approaches, Sharma, pictured, is using his platform to spark conversation about the toll entrepreneurship can take on men’s mental and physical health. “Men often think asking for help is weakness,” he says. “But success means nothing if you lose your health along the way.”
Now, the 37-year-old founder of a £30 million gin empire is urging other men — especially business leaders — to prioritise wellbeing. “You can’t pour from an empty glass, even if it’s a gin one,” he smiles.
From Assam to Edinburgh
Eighteen years ago, Sharma arrived in Scotland from India with only £500 in his pocket and a desire to build a better life. His great-grandfather, Tej Ram Bawa, was a pioneering distiller in Assam during the British Raj — a legacy that inspired him to leave behind a secure banking career to pursue his passion for botanicals.
With the support of his wife, Veenu, Sharma launched Rutland Square Spirits in 2021, introducing the world’s first White Oolong chai-infused Scottish gin — a blend of Indian flavour and Scottish craftsmanship using tea from Dibrugarh, Assam.
Rejections, Risks and Relentless Drive
The early days were far from glamorous. Sharma hand-delivered bottles, sold at local markets, and faced constant rejection from distributors. “One distributor said no five times,” he recalls. “But each rejection helped me refine my pitch. Persistence pays.”
At one point, he had only £25 left in his account. His perseverance finally paid off in 2024 when Bollywood actor and entrepreneur Dr Vivek Anand Oberoi invested £5 million, taking a 21 percent stake in the company after a chance meeting in Dubai. Together, they are now planning a £150 million net-zero luxury hotel in Edinburgh celebrating Indian hospitality, Ayurvedic wellness, and Scottish distilling heritage.
Giving Back to Lothian
Rutland Square Spirits now appears in prestigious venues such as the Waldorf Astoria, Hilton, and Marriott, and across 14 Indian airports, with further expansion planned. But for Sharma, community impact comes first.
“I want to bring investment into Edinburgh and create jobs here in Lothian,” he says. “This is where my children’s future will be. Giving back is part of the business model.”
From the tea fields of Assam to Scotland’s thriving distilling scene, Nishant Sharma’s story is more than a tale of business success — it’s a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the growing movement for men to take their health as seriously as their ambition.
