By Mewati Sitaram
Vanaha Gin, the artisanal “forest-to-bottle” spirit crafted by Revelry Distillery and founded by Vaniitha Jaiin, has taken the global spirits world by storm. Inspired by India’s wild forests and distilled with 24 handpicked botanicals through a meticulous five-step process—including cold vacuum distillation—the gin delivers a smooth, layered and naturally expressive profile.
In just six months since launch, Vanaha has achieved an unprecedented sweep of international honours: the prestigious Master Medal at The Spirits Business Global Gin Masters, recognition from IWSC (UK) and the Global Wine & Spirits Awards Asia, plus a Gold at The Spirits Business Global Spirits Design Masters. Most notably, it stands as the only gin worldwide shortlisted for “Innovation in Production” at The Spirits Business Awards 2025—an extraordinary feat for a debut Indian spirit.
For Indian craft spirits, Vanaha’s achievement is unmatched. Rarely has any homegrown brand earned excellence across product, packaging and innovation simultaneously. This recognition places Vanaha firmly among the world’s most distinguished gins and marks a proud moment for India on the global stage.
Vaniitha and Navvin Jaiin
At the heart of Vanaha is its visionary creator, Vaniitha Jaiin, India’s only woman to build and lead her own distillery. A respected alcobev expert with deep global exposure, Vaniitha has transformed India’s understanding of premium craft spirits. She developed Vanaha’s proprietary extraction technique and introduced India’s first use of cold vacuum distillation, preserving delicate botanicals while redefining the country’s gin-making standards.
“Vanaha was born from a simple idea—to distill a forest in its purest form,” says Vaniitha. “To capture depth, mystery and freshness exactly as nature offers it. Being recognised so early for taste, design and innovation is deeply meaningful for our team.”
Co-Founder Navvin Jaiin adds, “Every element of Vanaha has been built with intention and care. The global validation across multiple categories strengthens our belief that India can create truly world-class spirits.”
Vanaha’s triumph carries wider significance: it proves that an Indian spirit, rooted in local forests and led by a pioneering Indian woman, can stand confidently beside the world’s finest. It represents both a milestone and a moment of pride for the country’s fast-rising craft-spirits movement.
The distillery behind the gin—Revelry Distillery in North Goa’s Sattari forests—is a boutique craft space combining terroir-driven philosophy with modern precision. Equipped with a custom Hagyo copper pot still and an in-house R&D lab, the facility reflects a commitment to consistency, sustainability and scalable future innovation. Its forest-to-bottle approach influences everything from botanical sourcing to the final spirit.
Vanaha itself, whose name blends vana (forest) and aha (a moment of realisation), pays homage to India’s rich biodiversity. Distilled using 24 botanicals and made without additives, it carries earthy, woody, floral, citrus and spice notes that shine neat, on ice or in cocktails.
With rapid expansion from Goa to Madhya Pradesh and soon Rajasthan and Puducherry, Vanaha is becoming a favourite among discerning gin lovers who value authenticity and craftsmanship.
Still young, yet already decorated with global acclaim, Vanaha Gin has rewritten what an Indian spirit can aspire to be—ushering in a powerful new chapter for India’s craft-spirits story.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
