Indian craft gin has been growing, but most brands still look west for validation. Cherrapunji Gin flipped that script by doing the opposite: staying deeply local and letting the world catch up.
Launched in October 2023, the brand reached global recognition in under 16 months, including a Double Gold at the SIP Awards 2025. That timeline is almost rude in how fast it is.
Why Cherrapunji Stands Out
This gin isn’t built around trend-chasing botanicals or faux-luxury cues. It’s built around:
- Rainwater harvesting
- Northeast Indian ingredients
- Community sourcing
- Reusable packaging
In an industry full of sustainability buzzwords, Cherrapunji actually does the work.
Awards That Matter
The SIP Awards are judged blind by consumers, not panels of critics. Less than 2% of entries receive Double Gold. Cherrapunji did.
That matters because it proves the gin isn’t just “interesting”. It’s genuinely enjoyable.
What This Means for Indian Spirits
Cherrapunji’s success signals something important: Indian craft spirits don’t need to mimic London, Scotland, or France to be taken seriously.
They just need to be honest, well-made, and rooted in place.
The Last Sip
Cherrapunji Gin isn’t trying to be the loudest bottle on the shelf. It’s trying to be the most meaningful one. And somehow, that’s working globally.
