In an exciting advancement for both innovation and integrity in the spirits industry, Piccadily Distilleries has partnered with ForgeStop to deploy cutting-edge NFC-based smart labels across their premium product range. This collaboration marks a major step in the fight against counterfeit alcohol in India and serves as a powerful example of how brands can protect consumers, elevate trust, and unlock interactive product experiences.

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The Counterfeit Crisis in Alcohol

India’s alcobev industry has long grappled with counterfeit spirits and illicit market infiltration. According to the Authentication Solutions Providers' Association (ASPA), over 25% of liquor in India is counterfeit — resulting in revenue losses, health risks, and erosion of brand reputation.

Traditionally, the industry has relied on visual deterrents like holograms, tax stamps, and serialized codes. But counterfeiters have grown more sophisticated, and these static methods can be copied or tampered with.

Learn more about how smart authentication is protecting alcohol brands in our post: ForgeStop Alcohol Authentication

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Enter ForgeStop: A Smarter Label for a Safer Sip

ForgeStop’s InfoTAP technology transforms ordinary packaging into a connected product experience, using NFC (Near Field Communication) chips embedded directly into the product label or cap. With a simple tap of a smartphone, consumers and retailers can:

• Authenticate the product instantly — ensuring it’s genuine, sealed, and sourced correctly
• Access storytelling, distillery origin, and tasting notes
• Receive alerts, recall notices, or rewards — all without downloading an app

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A First for India’s Craft Spirits Industry

As reported in Spiritz Magazine, Piccadily is the first Indian spirits producer to adopt NFC authentication at scale. With ForgeStop's encrypted InfoTAP platform running on EM Microelectronic's secure chipsets, this rollout brings a level of protection and connectivity previously unseen in Indian alcobev.

Explore the broader applications of connected packaging: Connected Products & Smart Labels

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What This Means for Piccadily

• Full transparency from bottling line to bar shelf
• Real-time insights on where and when each bottle is scanned
• Direct-to-consumer digital engagement, enhancing brand loyalty

More importantly, it means greater confidence for consumers who demand authenticity, safety, and quality — especially in high-end segments.

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Setting the Standard for Global Spirits Protection

This deployment is more than a product upgrade — it’s a signal to the wider industry: smart packaging is no longer optional. In an era where counterfeiting, diversion, and parallel importation are growing threats, Piccadily’s move to NFC-backed digital authentication shows what’s possible when security meets innovation.

For an in-depth look at how this tech works, read: How NFC Works for Product Authentication

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A Message from ForgeStop

“We’re thrilled to support Piccadily in this forward-thinking initiative. They’re not just protecting their products — they’re elevating their customer promise.
This is what connected packaging is all about.”
— Terry Katz, CEO, ForgeStop

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Learn More

Are you a brand looking to protect your products and unlock digital experiences at the same time?
ForgeStop’s smart label technology is already being used in wine, spirits, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals across multiple continents.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation and discover how to make your packaging smarter, safer, and more engaging.