In the verdant landscape of India’s craft spirits revolution, a remarkable new gin has emerged that truly captures the essence of the subcontinent’s pristine forests. Vanaha, the latest creation by Revelry Distillery, is not just another gin — it’s a poetic tribute to India’s forests, bottled with care and steeped in nature’s soul. Drawing its name from the Sanskrit word “van” meaning forest, and “aha” — that moment of realisation — this extraordinary spirit represents more than just premium Indian gin; it embodies a profound connection between ancient Indian wisdom and contemporary craft distillation techniques. The forest-inspired gin has redefined what Indian craft spirits can achieve, setting new benchmarks for botanical complexity, sustainable production, and authentic terroir expression in the global gin market. This 100% natural gin, crafted with 24 handpicked botanicals from India’s forests, demonstrates how traditional forest ingredients can be transformed into world-class premium spirits through innovative distillation methods.
The Visionary Behind India’s Forest Gin Revolution
Vanaha Gin was founded by Vaniitha Jaiin, one of India’s most distinguished voices in the premium and luxury alcobev industry and internationally recognised among the Top 10 Women of Wine. She is also the founder of Revelry Distillery, where Vanaha Gin is produced, and The Perfect Pour, a wine and spirits consulting firm that has established itself as the ultimate destination for information and content on all things wines, spirits, and luxury. Created by Revelry Spirits and helmed by Vaniitha Jaiin as Founder & Chief Evangelist of Revelry Distillery, Vanaha Gin represents the culmination of years of expertise in premium spirits and deep understanding of Indian botanical heritage. Jaiin’s vision for forest-inspired gin stems from her extensive background in luxury alcohol beverages and her commitment to showcasing India’s natural biodiversity through craft distillation. This ambitious forest gin project celebrates India’s rich botanical landscape through innovative distillation techniques, positioning Vanaha as a true tribute to India’s pristine forest ecosystems.
Revelry Distillery: Where Forest Gin Innovation Meets Cutting-Edge Technology
On May 16, 2025, the Indian spirits landscape witnessed the debut of Vanaha Gin, an artisanal creation from Revelry Distillery in Sattari, North Goa, marking a pivotal moment in Indian craft gin evolution. Vanaha Gin is a 100% natural gin, crafted with 24 handpicked botanicals from India’s forests, demonstrating the authentic terroir expression that defines premium forest gin production. Revelry Distillery is built on a foundation of authenticity, storytelling and meticulous craftsmanship, paving the way for India to establish itself as a key contender in the premium global spirits market. The forest gin distillery represents a technological marvel in Indian craft spirits production, housing state-of-the-art equipment specifically designed for botanical gin distillation. Housing a customized Hagyo pot still from Hungary, it offers precision for exceptional flavour consistency & scalability, making it one of the very few distilleries in the world using the 3 techniques – Copper Pot distillation, Vapor Infusion and Cold Vacuum distillation in the production process. This advanced forest gin production facility demonstrates how traditional Indian botanicals can be elevated through contemporary distillation technology, creating a premium gin that honors forest traditions while meeting international quality standards for craft spirits.
The Revolutionary Cold Vacuum Distillation Process for Forest Gin
What truly distinguishes this forest-inspired gin from other Indian craft spirits is its pioneering use of cold vacuum distillation technology. Vanaha is the first gin in India to utilise cold vacuum distillation, representing a significant breakthrough in preserving delicate forest botanical essences during the gin distillation process. Cold Vacuum Distillation, being used for the first time in India, is employed to preserve delicate botanical aromas and flavours in this 100% natural gin. This innovative forest gin production method operates at lower temperatures than traditional distillation, ensuring that volatile forest botanical compounds retain their authentic character and complexity. The cold vacuum distillation process allows Vanaha gin to capture the subtle nuances of Indian forest ingredients without destroying heat-sensitive aromatic compounds, resulting in a gin that truly tastes like walking through an untouched Indian forest. This technological advancement positions Vanaha as a pioneer in forest gin distillation, setting new standards for how botanical gins can preserve the authentic essence of their natural 24 handpicked botanicals from India’s forests.
Twenty-Four Forest Botanicals: The Soul of Indian Terroir
The heart of this exceptional forest gin lies in its meticulously curated botanical selection that reads like a love letter to India’s diverse ecosystems. Vanaha Gin boasts a blend of 24 botanicals, including:
- Deodar Wood – Himalayan cedar providing earthy depth
- Patchouli – Earthy and grounding botanical
- Cacao Nibs – Rich chocolate undertones
- Palash Flowers – “Flame of the forest” floral notes
- Pine Tips – Resinous freshness from coniferous forests
- Assam Lemons – Tropical citrus zest
- Wild Berries – Subtle forest sweetness
- Sikkim Mandarin – Himalayan citrus brightness
- Orris Root – Violet-scented root
- Angelica Root – Classic gin botanical
- Juniper Berries – Essential gin ingredient
Each forest botanical ingredient represents a different region of India, from the Himalayan Deodar wood that provides earthy depth to the Sikkim mandarins that add citrusy brightness to this forest-inspired gin. The Palash flowers, known as the “flame of the forest,” contribute vibrant floral notes that celebrate India’s seasonal forest transformations, while Assam lemons bring tropical zest that reflects the subcontinent’s diverse forest climates. Every ingredient, from Sikkim’s Mandarins, Assam’s Lemons, Cacao Nibs, Orris Root, Angelica Root, Juniper Berries and Palash Flowers, is meticulously selected for its provenance, purity, and role in shaping the final forest gin profile. This extensive botanical collection ensures that every sip of Vanaha gin transports drinkers through different Indian forest landscapes, creating a truly immersive terroir experience with this 100% natural gin crafted with 24 handpicked botanicals from India’s forests.
The Aromatic Profile: Capturing Indian Forest Essence in Every Drop
A blend of 24 handpicked botanicals, including Deodar Wood, Patchouli, Cacao Nibs, Palash Flowers, Pine Tips, Assam Lemons, Wild Berries, Sikkim Mandarin, Orris Root, Angelica Root, and Juniper Berries, come together to create an earthy, woody and aromatic profile. The forest gin’s sensory experience begins with powerful woody notes from Deodar trees, immediately evoking the feeling of standing in a Himalayan forest clearing. Pine tips contribute resinous freshness that captures the essence of coniferous Indian forests, while wild berries add subtle sweetness reminiscent of forest foraging experiences. The patchouli brings earthy depth that grounds the forest gin in Indian soil, creating an authentic terroir expression. From the earthy aroma of Deodar trees and the sweet notes of wild berries and blossoms, to the refreshing petrichor scent reminiscent of rain-kissed forest floors, this gin is a sensory experience more than just a drink. This complex forest botanical symphony creates a gin that changes and evolves on the palate, revealing different forest layers with each sip, much like walking deeper into an ancient Indian woodland.
Premium Natural Gin: No Artificial Additives in Forest Spirits
Crafted using 24 handpicked botanicals, including Deodar Wood, Patchouli, Palash Flowers, Assam Lemons, and Juniper Berries, the gin offers an earthy, woody, and aromatic profile with no artificial flavours or additives. Vanaha contains no artificial flavors, and it also contains no additives. This commitment to natural forest gin production reflects Revelry Distillery’s philosophy that authentic Indian forest flavors require no artificial enhancement. The 100% natural forest gin approach ensures that every botanical contributes its genuine character to the final spirit, creating complexity through natural forest ingredients rather than synthetic flavor compounds. This pure approach to forest gin distillation allows the true essence of Indian botanicals to shine, giving drinkers an authentic taste of India’s forest biodiversity. The natural forest gin philosophy also aligns with growing consumer demand for clean, additive-free spirits that celebrate authentic terroir without compromise.
Sipping Experience: Forest Gin Designed for Contemplation
Vanaha is designed as a sipping gin, challenging the conventional wisdom that gin must always be mixed to be enjoyed. This forest-inspired gin invites contemplative consumption, encouraging drinkers to savor the complex interplay of forest botanicals without dilution or masking flavors. The sipping gin approach allows enthusiasts to fully appreciate how Indian forest ingredients interact and evolve on the palate, creating a meditative drinking experience reminiscent of quiet forest walks. The forest gin’s complexity rewards slow consumption, with different botanical notes revealing themselves as the spirit opens up in the glass. This premium forest gin serves equally well neat, on the rocks, or with minimal garnish that complements rather than competes with the carefully balanced forest botanical profile.
Global Recognition for Indian Forest Gin Excellence
India’s craft spirits scene comes of age with a bold new entrant from Goa. Meet Vanaha, a gin that captures the forest in a bottle and sets a new global benchmark for Indian-made spirits. This forest gin has garnered international attention for its innovative approach to botanical distillation and authentic Indian terroir expression. The global spirits community has recognized Vanaha as representing a new generation of Indian craft gin that can compete with established international forest gin producers while maintaining distinctly Indian character. The product is aimed at a growing base of domestic and international consumers looking for Indian-made premium spirits rooted in authenticity and craft. This forest-inspired gin demonstrates that Indian distillers can create world-class spirits that celebrate local ingredients while appealing to sophisticated international palates seeking authentic forest gin experiences.
Sustainable Forest Gin Production and Environmental Consciousness
The forest gin production at Revelry Distillery incorporates sustainable practices that honor the very ecosystems that provide its botanical ingredients. This environmental consciousness extends beyond ingredient sourcing to encompass responsible forest gin manufacturing processes that minimize environmental impact. The distillery’s commitment to sustainability ensures that forest botanical harvesting supports rather than depletes the natural ecosystems that inspire Vanaha gin. By working with local forest communities and botanical suppliers, this forest gin project creates economic incentives for forest conservation while producing premium spirits. The sustainable forest gin approach demonstrates how craft distillation can contribute to environmental preservation rather than exploitation, setting a positive example for the growing Indian craft spirits industry.
Market Position: Premium Forest Gin in India’s Luxury Spirits Segment
Vanaha gin occupies a unique position in India’s rapidly expanding premium spirits market, representing the convergence of authentic Indian botanicals with international craft gin standards. This forest-inspired gin targets sophisticated consumers who appreciate complexity, authenticity, and the story behind their spirits. The premium forest gin market in India has shown tremendous growth potential, with discerning drinkers increasingly seeking spirits that reflect local terroir and craftsmanship. Vanaha’s positioning as a sipping gin that celebrates Indian forest biodiversity appeals to both domestic consumers proud of Indian craft spirits and international enthusiasts seeking authentic forest gin experiences from new terroirs.
The Future of Indian Forest Gin and Craft Distillation
As India’s first gin utilizing cold vacuum distillation and one of the most botanically complex Indian spirits ever produced, Vanaha represents the future direction of Indian craft distillation. This forest gin serves as proof of concept that Indian distillers can create innovative, premium spirits that celebrate local ingredients while incorporating cutting-edge production technology. The success of this forest-inspired gin likely influences other Indian craft distillers to explore botanical complexity and terroir expression in their own productions. Vanaha gin demonstrates that the future of Indian craft spirits lies not in imitating international styles but in authentically expressing India’s rich natural and cultural heritage through innovative distillation techniques.
The emergence of Vanaha gin marks a watershed moment in Indian craft spirits, proving that forest botanicals can create world-class gin that celebrates India’s natural heritage while meeting the most demanding international quality standards. This forest-inspired gin stands as testament to the potential of Indian craft distillation when vision, technology, and authentic ingredients converge to create truly exceptional spirits that honor both tradition and innovation.
