Expressions of Indian Stories in a Bottle
From jaggery rum to Ayurvedic botanicals, Indian spirits embrace their rich cultural roots while appealing to modern palates.
By Deepali Nandwani
Indian spirit brands
Indian spirit brands, particularly in the premium to luxury segment, have mastered the art of creating libations that resonate with both Indian and international consumers. They consummately understand what it takes to nudge their way in when the competition is big daddy spirit brands with multi-million dollar marketing budgets and a global recall.
Homegrown brands blend local ingredients with sustainable practices to create premium, innovative libations that tell the story of the land and its produce. They mine ingredients and flavours that are familiar to Indians, and exotic for the global market. The exploration spans celebration of Indian botanicals and experimentation with indigenous fruits, spices, and regional flavours.
Modern consumers, both domestic and international, seek spirits with authentic, local connections, and Indian brands are meeting that demand. In the Indian context, think malai kulfi flavoured vodka, jaggery-spiced rum, and whisky blended with Ayurvedic botanicals.
Many homegrown brands also emphasise sustainability and craft methodologies, such as the ‘grain/botanicals-to-glass’ approach, ensuring premium quality and minimal environmental impact.
Baagh Gin
Baagh Gin is a citrus-forward gin made using Nagpur orange and lime, complemented by subtle spices. The flavour profile is designed to cater to the Indian palate, making it versatile enough to be enjoyed neat, in a simple gin and tonic, or as creative cocktails. Baagh's ethos extends beyond taste. It partners with the Balipara Foundation, dedicating a portion of its profits to agrobiodiversity and rewilding projects in Assam. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers, ensuring a positive environmental and economic impact.
Paul John Christmas Edition 2024
For the past seven years, Paul John has been bringing out a superlative, limited edition Christmas Edition, which embodies the brand's commitment to festive elegance and exceptional flavour. The 2024 Christmas Edition, launched by master distiller Michael D’souza, is an expression crafted from the finest Indian ingredients. The 7th edition has a captivating deep golden hue, with aromas of mango and pineapple, and flavours of coconut, of which Goa has aplenty, candied orange, and toasted oak.
Godawan Single Malt
Distilled in Alwar, a region devoid of conventional whisky-making terroir, Godawan harnesses Rajasthan’s elevated temperatures, heritage techniques, and native botanicals. The whisky is made from locally sourced six-row barley, known for its higher protein content and rich flavour. The brand’s unique cask architecture, incorporating rare Indian botanicals, further enriches the whisky with a full-bodied flavour. On the nose, the whisky has hints of dried fruit and toffee sweetness. On the palate, it is salted caramel and festive spices.
Amrut Bella
Amrut Distilleries, renowned for its exceptional Indian spirits, introduces Bella, a 100% jaggery rum. Crafted from sugarcane harvested in northern Karnataka, Bella (meaning ‘jaggery’ in Kannada) is a tribute to India's centuries-old tradition of jaggery cultivation. The rum matures for six years in ex-bourbon barrels, resulting in a spirit rich with sweet and nutty notes. Amrut's Bella offers a distinctive jaggery-based alternative to molasses-based rums, expanding the horizons of rum enthusiasts.
Daku Rum
The word ‘daku’ (bandit) might evoke images of rugged rebels, not rum. Yet, this Indian spirit from Gwalior's Bapuna Alcobrew (makers of Chambal Gin) boldly embraces the moniker. Daku Rum, inspired by the Chambal region's infamous dacoits, comes in two variants. Daku Gold is a deep burgundy rum with a smooth, velvety experience, with hints of caramel and cinnamon. Daku Silver is a clear white rum with a lighter, sweeter profile, infused with spices such as vanilla, nutmeg, and mace.
Paul John XO
The premium Indian grape brandy is crafted from Ugni Blanc and Bangalore purple grapes. On the nose, it opens with honeyed aromas that blend with the fruity allure of fresh fig, apricot, strawberry, and orange zest, layered with liquorice, light butterscotch, and a subtle herbal backdrop. The palate follows suit with sweet cranberry and raisin flavours.
Stranger & Sons Gin
This gin is inspired by Portuguese influence in Goa and incorporates a mix of traditional and modern distillation techniques. While juniper and angelica are imported, the Indian botanicals include black pepper, nutmeg, mace, coriander, liquorice, and cassia bark. Its citrus profile comes from Gondhoraj lemons, Nagpur oranges, Mausambi limes, and Indian bergamot. A collaboration with The Bombay Canteen resulted in the limited-edition distilled cocktail Perry Road Peru, a gin infused with the seasonal pink guavas (‘perus’) commonly found in Mumbai.
Tamras Gin
Crafted by Devika Bhagat and Khalil Bachooali, the gin’s profile is shaped by indigenous botanicals that highlight India's rich diversity. Tamras features whole citrus fruits, including sweet lime, rather than just peels, to create a bright and nuanced flavour. It also incorporates lotus flowers and seeds, cardamom, Nilgiri tea, and other ingredients to deliver a balanced and aromatic experience.
Terai India Craft Gin
Part of the ‘Bagh Explorations’ series, this gin by Globus Spirits uses litchi and mulberries from family farmlands in Uttar Pradesh. Complemented by floral notes like lavender, and herbs such as tulsi, this gin highlights the brand’s dedication to Indian agricultural roots and innovative craftsmanship.
Hüli
Hüli, which means ‘tiger’ in Kannada, is a single-origin jaggery rum handcrafted in a Mysuru micro-distillery. This gold rum takes four-and-a-half years to produce, starting with a specific sugarcane variety grown by local farmers. After 14 months, the harvested cane is transformed into jaggery, and then fermented for 36-48 hours at the distillery. The final step involves 12 months of ageing in casks. Unlike most rums made with molasses, Hüli is a 100% jaggery-based spirit for Indian rum enthusiasts.
Hapusa Gin
Known for its use of Himalayan juniper, Hapusa (meaning ‘juniper’ in Sanskrit) integrates other native botanicals like raw mango and turmeric, Gondhoraj lime, raw mango, and cardamom, offering a robust and earthy flavour that reflects India's terroir.
Samsara Gin
Samsara, which comes from Goa, incorporates 11 handpicked botanicals, including components like hemp seeds, rose petals, vetiver grass, green cardamom, and juniper berries. This combination delivers a vibrant blend of floral, citrusy, and subtly earthy notes. While on the nose there are aromas of delicate juniper, fresh citrus peel, and floral hints, on the palate it is smooth and well-balanced with pronounced juniper, coriander, and citrus flavours, and the finish is of spice and herbal undertones.
Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin
It draws inspiration from the royal heritage of Jaisalmer and is distilled in small batches, using a traditional copper pot still. Jaisalmer Gin incorporates 11 botanicals, seven of which are sourced from various regions of India. These include coriander, vetiver, lemongrass, orange peel, cubeb berries, Darjeeling green tea, and lemon peel. The remaining botanicals, like juniper (from Tuscany), angelica, liquorice root, and caraway seeds, add a traditional touch, ensuring a balanced flavour profile.
Smoke Lab Vodka
Smoke Lab is revolutionising vodka production with its unique use of basmati rice and Himalayan water. This Delhi-based brand crafts gluten-free, vegan vodka with a zero-carbon footprint, emphasising quality ingredients and modern filtration. Their latest release, Smoke Saffron, is an exclusive saffron-infused vodka made with premium Kashmiri saffron, evoking the essence of Indian sweets.
Makazai
Created by Kasturi Banerjee, a former banker, Makazai offers two primary expressions: the Bartender's Edition (White Rum) and the Tribute Edition (Gold Rum), crafted using molasses sourced from sugarcane grown around the Panchaganga River in Maharashtra, known for its fertile, red soil that imparts floral, spicy, and herbaceous qualities to the rum. The white rum is designed to be light and perfect for cocktails like Daiquiris, while the gold rum, aged for over two years, boasts richer flavours, making it ideal for cocktails like a Mai Tai.
FILTR – Martini by Stranger & Sons X Subko
Inspired by South Indian filter coffee, Stranger & Sons and Subko’s Filtr Martini is a ready-to-drink cocktail which reimagines the Espresso Martini with a bold, balanced flavour profile, and is crafted in small batches. Simply shake with ice for a frothy layer and finish with a vanilla spray.
