Made in India spirits are definitely making their mark in the world of fine alcohol. Following the success of Godawan Whiskey, India is now basking in the glory of its Cherrapunji Gin, which has just snagged the top honor at the Global Spirits Masters Competition. Cheers to that!
Wild honey, betel leaf, smoked tea, timur pepper, Kaji Assam lemon, black turmeric, cascara (dried skin of coffee cherries) and kinnows - India’s gin makers are experimenting with regional botanicals for their distinctive flavours.
From the rainwashed town of Cherrapunji to the slopes of Kumaon, from the wild ravines of Chambal to the sand dunes of Jaisalmer, Indian gin makers are bottling nostalgia and customers are asking for more
Mayukh Hazarika launched Cherrapunji Gin in Meghalaya last month. The liquor industry is hugely water-intensive, so Hazarika tapped into the idea of rainwater harvesting in monsoon-intense Goa and Maharashtra instead of using groundwater.