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A definitive guide to Indian Gin Brands

6/18/2022

Mumbai, India
The Indian craft gin scene began in 2015 and started to skyrocket post 2018 with multiple brands launching mainly from the coastal state of Goa. The brand launches continue, and Goa now has Bangalore, Rajasthan and also Punjab for company. Here is a list of Indian gins that you should know about.
Greater Than
The gin that started the craft gin revolution in the country, Greater Than is made in Goa and is a juniper and citrus driven London dry style gin. They have also launched a Juniper heavy version lately called the Juniper Bomb and the No Sleep coffee infused expression. Read more about them here
Hapusa
From the Nao Spirits, Hapusa was launched after Greater Than as a more premium gin and it goes under the nomenclature of a Himalayan Dry Gin. With ingredients like Turmeric and Mango, the gin is certainly different and comes in a beautiful bottle.
Stranger & Sons
Not a stranger to gin drinkers anymore, this was the second gin co to push the craft gin market in the country. With Mace, pepper and nutmeg, we call it the masaledar gin and this one’s made in Goa too. Read more about them here
Pumori
It is named after Mount Pumori which is 8 kms off Mt Everest, as the juniper comes from the region. From the makers of Woodburn whisky Pumori uses 12 botanicals including vanilla and calls itself a “small batch” gin. Read more about them here
Tickle
Made in Goa by Adinco distillers who also make Tinto feni, Ti Connie Liqueurs and Cabo coconut liqueurs, Tickle is a classic dry gin with the Indian touch of cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. Read more about them here

Read More about Indian Malt Whisky Brands here

Terai
A made in Rajasthan gin, Terai is made by Globus Spirits who have been distilling since 1958. This “Indian Dry Gin” as the bottle says on the label has holy basil as one of the signature botanicals. Read more about them here
Samsara
A London dry gin made using 11 botanicals comprising some exotic ones like vetiver, hemp seeds & blood oranges. Made in Goa it is also exported to the US and now available in Maharashtra. They also have a pink gin the first from India. Read more about them here
Jin Jiji
Made in Goa by High Road Spirits, the Jin Jiji embodies Goa and India by using Cashew nut and Tulsi respectively part from the other botanicals. They also have another expression the Jin Jiji Darjeeling with the tea from the region. It is not available in India yet. Read more about them here
Jaisalmer
By the makers of Rampur Single Malt, Radico Khaitan first took this gin outside the country before making it available in India. Lemon Grass, Darjeeling tea are some of the botanicals used in the making of this gin at their distillery in Rampur. Read more about them here
Clearly Good
Launched with an objective to make quality gin more affordable, the Clearly Good is a blue gin coloured using butterfly pea flower and turns pink when an acid medium is added bringing that gimmick to your parties. Made in Goa it used 15 botanicals.

Read more about the Cognac brands available in India here

Integrity
Integrity “Craft Gin” as it says on the bottle comes in a sleek bottle and is perhaps the least expensive of “craft gin” available in the Mumbai market. It is seemingly made in Solapur; Maharashtra by Vishnu Laxmi Co-op Grape Distillery limited a company popular for its mass brands.
Nilgiris
From the makers of the iconic Amrut Single malt, Nilgiris is the embodiment of the spice laden south India with use of spices, tea and the signature betel leaf as one of its botanicals. Read more about them here
Blue Moon
Made in Rajpura, Punjab by NV distillers, the Blue Moon is a 21-year-old brand but in a new avatar both in terms of recipe and packaging. It come in a classic juniper forward style and uses a rice spirit as a base. Read more about them here
Gin Dia
From the makers of Wild Tiger Rum, this made in Kerala Gin is made for the export market with 23 foraged Indian botanicals including Himalayan juniper. The pandemic delayed its international travel retail launch at a price of $ 39.95 for a litre bottle. Read more about them here
Matinee
Snake saffron, Kagzi Lime, white turmeric makes this gin from Goa distinctive. Launched in March 2021 this gin sells in Goa.
Seqer
The latest from Goa is Seqer with 10 botanicals including cashew nuts, rosemary amongst others. Keep updated about them here

Gin Gin
Made in Goa, this nine-botanical gin was marketed as India’s first hemp gin and was set for its Goa launch last year but is still awaiting it.
Trading Tides
A collaboration between Four Pillars Gin, Australia and Stranger & Sons, this gin has elements of both countries like the Australian Lemon Myrtle, Anise Myrtle, River mint and the Indian Kokum and Tamarind
Doja
A Indo-Japanese craft gin made in Goa using Japanese botanicals like Yuzu, Sansho pepper, Cedar leaf etc from Japan’s Wakayama prefecture and Indian like fennel and Cardamom. Read more about them here
Satiwa
A Made in Goa gin calls itself “the happy high gin” as it uses hemp as a key botanical apart from rose petals, cinnamon, coriander, angelica root etc.
Tamras
Made in an independently owned craft distillery in Goa, Tamras is made with 16 botanicals including Mosambi, lotus flower and seed. Read more about them here
Forest Spice
An outlier gin from Goa from the Indian perspective as it is made in the Genever style, meaning it uses a more flavoursome barley spirit than the neutral spirit used by London Dry style. The botanicals include lemongrass, ginger, cardamom etc.
Jamun
From the make of Old Monk Gin, Jamun gin is made in the iconic Kasauli distillery owned by Mohan Meakin. Launched in some Indian markets in August 2022, Jamun uses Himalayan Juniper as mentioned on the bottle.
Great Indian Gin (GIG)
GIG gin is the first spirit from the Portfolio of World of Brands a company co-founded by liquor veterans and is made in Hoskote Karnataka. It is made using 9 botanicals and comes in three expressions classic, Nagpur Orange and Shimla Apple.
Short Story Gin
A yet another Made in Goa gin but from the house of Third Eye DIstillery, the makers of Stranger and Sons Gin and with Mixologist and Entrepreneur Pankaj Balachandran at the helm of the brand. This is an accessible gin with a classic Juniper and Citrus forward approach.
Terry Sent Me
Yet another product of Goa and they call itself the speakeasy Gin. Founded by Tarang Doshi, this is currently available in Goa only and the label makes it stand out.
Sector
A Goan Gin made The Living Root a craft spirit company and this Gin with their 11 botanicals is their first offering. Cubeb berries, Lemon balm, Cochin ginger are some of the botanicals apart from the Juniper.
Malhar
A gin from the house of Paul John Single Malts, Malhar is available in two expressions, classic and citrus with 15 and 11 botanicals respectively and Indian Key Lime or Nimbu as the star in the latter.
Hichki
A gin from Goa from the house of Sipping Spirits a company known for their Resolute Vodka. It is Sakura or Japanese Cherry Blossom infused gin with 9 other botanicals.
Soci
Crafted in Goa, Soci is has a strong top note of Cucumber apart from other botanicals like juniper berries, cardamom, coriander, oranges and pepper.