When was the last time you tried an Indian gin? Probably not in a long time or ever, in fact, most of us didn’t even know India produced quality gin. Well, that’s not the case any longer as Third Eye Distillery’s very own Stranger and Sons Gin is now a global darling. Today, Stranger and Sons Gin has become one of the most popular gins in India and is gaining recognition around the world. The gin has won several awards, including a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2020. Stranger and Sons Barrel Aged Gin: This gin is aged in oak barrels for six months, which gives it a unique flavor profile. It has notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak, along with the classic gin botanicals. The Indian pepper and spices comes out nicely – not too intrusive and gives the gin a very potent aroma, but is deceptively mild to taste.

Described as “bold and delicious”, the spirit has also won a Master medal at The Asian Spirits Masters 2021. “The palate is wonderful – smooth and silky mouthfeel with no sharp edges or volatile alcohol”, said one of the judges, Bryan Rodriguez, wine, and spirits buyer for Harvey Nichols in London. There’s no denying that gin is one of the fastest-growing spirits in the world. There really is an exciting ‘Gin-naissance’ hitting the shop shelves, trendiest bars and coolest clubs making it the drink du jour for both hipsters and discriminating imbibers alike. Interview with Sakshi Saigal founder of Stranger & Sons Gin - Third Eye Distillery, Goa, India. Tell us a little bit about yourself.What are the aspects and trends that are going on that you feel most strongly favour this wave of enthusiasm towards gin and craft producers growing and growing in the country? Rahul Mehra, Sakshi Saigal and Vidur Gupta What do you think has contributed to gin’s resurgence in recent years in India? But much is owed to the Indian subcontinent for other gin-fluences. The ubiquitous Gin & Tonic had its origins in India as a more palatable way for Victorian colonialists to down the bitter quinine that protected them against malaria. And exotic Indian botanicals are used for many gins as a point of difference. Indeed, around the world there is a long list of popular brands that tout Indian inspiration, yet Bombay Sapphire, Sikkim, Jodhpur, Opihr and Gin Wala are all distilled in Britain. So, despite India’s role in popularising gin, it has taken many years for home-grown firms to join the party. Distillation: The macerated spirit is then distilled in a copper pot still. The still is heated, and the vapors produced are condensed and collected. The first and last portions of the distillate, which contain impurities, are discarded.

At the annual 2021 Gin Masters competition, Stranger & Sons Gin secured a coveted Gold medal in the Contemporary category. The judges were enamoured with the gin’s aromas of “earthy juniper” and flavours of “dried citrus peel” and “bold, vibrant” character on the palate. It was agreed the expression would “stand up well mixed in a gin and tonic” and that it offered something “unique” to the gin world. Stranger and Sons gin is a premium Indian gin that has gained popularity in recent years. It is a product of Stranger and Sons, a distillery based in Goa, India. The company was founded by three friends who were passionate about crafting unique spirits that reflected the flavors and culture of India. Global sales of premium gin bottles are growing at around 20% annually, says IWSR Drinks Market Analysis firm, two-and-a-half times the rate of overall spirit sales. Described as ‘bold and delicious’, the spirit has also won a Master medal at The Asian Spirits Masters 2021. “The palate is wonderful – smooth and silky mouthfeel with no sharp edges or volatile alcohol”, said one of the judges, Bryan Rodriguez, wine and spirits buyer for Harvey Nichols. In the spirits world, India has always been known for the sheer volume of alcohol we produce over anything else. The distilleries here are mostly large-scale, daunting structures and it’s difficult to contract distill small quantities here which is often a great way for craft distillers to begin their journey.The lion’s share of any distillery’s route to market will remain bars and shops, but in the UK the Covid pandemic has fundamentally changed the connection brands have with their fans. It also accelerated expectations and trends around buying direct and being able to engage with owners digitally and that's set to continue. So last but not least… How are you finding this shift and how are you adapting to it? Being absolutely aware that it has been an extremely tough phase for the hospitality industry and brands including ours, thanks to our teams’ sheer creativity and persistence, we never lost sight of our consumers, favourite bars and bartenders. Earlier this year, Stranger & Sons won gold at Gin Masters 2021 after competing with 472 entries from 233 different companies. This is just the latest of multiple awards and gold medals won by this debut spirit. I think it’s quite accurate to say that ignorance is bliss. Had we known that we would have had such a great impact on the trend in India and Indian gins, we would have been more cautious with our branding and business decisions and definitely not as impulsive.