Stranger & Sons Gin, Premium Indian Spirited Aromatic Citrussy Dry Gin – 42.8% ABV, 70cl

Product Information

More internationally, do you think that Indian Gin is now on the map (for the record, we do) and what do you think the main challenges are to build even more awareness around it? 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. Although, we’re glad that there was nothing at the time to cloud our judgement, allowing us to build a truly Indian gin. One that fits as seamlessly in the colourful and vibrant bars of Goa as it does proudly in the top bars of the world. Maceration: The botanicals and spices are first macerated in a neutral spirit for around 24 hours. This process allows the flavors and aromas of the botanicals to infuse into the spirit. 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?

Stranger and Sons gin is made in Goa, India. The distillery is located in the village of Pilerne, which is surrounded by lush greenery and tropical fruit trees. The distillery is run by a team of passionate gin enthusiasts who are committed to producing high-quality gin using traditional methods. What is the difference between Bombay Sapphire and Stranger and Sons gin? Stranger & Sons is an Indian spirited gin that captures the essence of India in every bottle for a curious and discerning consumer; we celebrate the transmission of centuries-old traditions while recognizing the contemporary India we live in today. India is indeed land with a suffusion of diverse festivals, politics, religions, colors and cuisine with traits, practices and characteristics each more unique and peculiar than the other. The many quirks and eccentricities of all generations play a part in our daily lives. This was the inspiration that led to “Stranger”, as we believe that India is wonderfully strange! The “& Sons”, perfectly encapsulates and pays homage to the multiple businesses in India that are passed down from generation to generation. Launched by three family members, Stranger & Sons is a tribute to these businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit inherent in most Indians. 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. We at Dhall & Nash are equally as proud to be the New Zealand distributors of a prestigious new gin brand creating waves on the global spirits scene. Interview with Sakshi Saigal founder of Stranger & Sons Gin - Third Eye Distillery, Goa, India. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Award-winning Indian gins

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. Immediately on first taste, I felt this was a pretty standard spiced gin that follows the usual direction of Paper Lantern gin or other spiced gins. But, as I mentioned above, I consider this gin to have multiple layers. In addition to its unique flavor profile, Stranger and Sons Gin is also known for its distinctive bottle design. The bottle features a label that is inspired by the art and architecture of India, and it is topped with a cork stopper that is handcrafted from Indian wood. Stranger and Sons Gin is a premium gin that is distilled in India. The gin is made using a blend of botanicals that are sourced from across the country. The gin is known for its unique flavor profile and is a popular choice among gin enthusiasts. Craft brands have helped redefine the perception of premiumness. It no longer needsto be just about the ‘bling’ but much more about the authenticity, the craftsmanship, and embracing more creativity in terms of flavors and botanicals to produce something unique and groundbreaking. Gin in India is still a very niche market that is evolving and where there aren’t just new consumers every day but new gins too. So over the next couple of years, we expect to see a lot more craft distilleries coming up in India as well as an increase in imported gins. The increasing number of new gins on the market would seem to pose a threat to established brands, but so far almost everyone is reaping the rewards of the gin renaissance. The definition of ‘premium’ no longer has to be old and stuffy: it can be contemporary and urban but must be crafted and presented in a superior way. I know that this time will define a new way altogether for how our customers choose products and how we attempt to capture their attention. Where can people buy your Gin in Mumbai? Which bars have it?

Explaining the botanicals, all of which are sourced from India, one of the founders, Sakshi says, “We use a unique citrus peel mix: Gondhoraj lebu, the commonly found Nimbu, Indian Bergamot and Nagpur oranges. With it go coriander seeds, angelica root, cassia bark, liquorice, and warm spices such as pepper, mace and nutmeg.” Stranger and Sons gin is made using a traditional distillation process that involves a combination of maceration and vapor infusion. The gin is made in small batches using locally sourced botanicals and spices. The manufacturing process involves the following steps: The flavours of the gin started to blend into each other as expected, but the refreshing spiciness remained and held itself well throughout the night. In fact, I ended up drinking quite a few glasses and thoroughly enjoyed them all. From starting out as early innovators in the craft gin industry to winning a Gold medal at Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in 2019 to bagging another Gold at Gin Berlin International Spirits Competition and being declared one of the 8 best gins in the world by IWSC in 2020, we’ve had an eventful journey so far. 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.

Developed by the new distillery, the Third Eye Distillery range hit a homerun with their first major release – Stranger and Sons. It’s been a phenomenal experience right from the start to be honest. The terrific response we got from our consumers helped us build an exciting, entrepreneurial team, all of whom feel very strongly about the brand. Ultimately though, the Stranger & Sons trio wanted to represent the new face of India, with all its quirks that people may not know about. Not just the old-fashioned colonial view of India. This is a cool, modern, and forward-looking India.

Explaining the botanicals, all of which are sourced from India, one of the founders, Sakshi says, “We use a unique citrus peel mix: Gondhoraj lebu, the commonly found nimbu, Indian Bergamot and Nagpur oranges. With it go coriander seeds, angelica root, cassia bark, liquorice and warm spices such as pepper, mace and nutmeg.” Stating that multiple tasting panels were captivated by the aromas and tasting notes, she adds, “Our gin goes beyond the customary juniper and plays up Indian botanicals and spices.” 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. Stranger and Sons Classic Gin: This gin is made using nine botanicals, including juniper, coriander, angelica, and citrus peels. It has a smooth and well-balanced flavor profile, with notes of pine, citrus, and spice. Overall, Stranger and Sons Gin is a testament to the rich history and culture of India. It is a gin that is made with care and attention to detail, and it is a true representation of the flavors and aromas of India. Manufacturing Process 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.Having said that, we believe that the journey for Indian gins is just beginning. As the world realizes that there is more to India than just the stereotypical Palaces, Himalayas, Mathematics and a dozen other clichés, they’ll see that there’s a lot more that we can bring to the table. With the growing number of gin enthusiasts, we are constantly looking to innovate and explore new extensions and product ideas. Absolutely, it is a good choice if you’re looking for something different and interested to try gins that involve different taste profiles into their distilling. I am quite excited to see what else they have coming up, because the methodology and their thought process behind the gin should mean that they have many more amazing drinks up their sleeves. 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? This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services.