ASIA PACIFIC, 31 JANUARY – The world of Asian Gins is an ever-evolving and growing phenomenon, one that has seen an incredible boom in recent years. From India to China to Singapore, and everywhere in between, distillers across Asia are producing some of the most remarkable spirits the world has seen. And it’s no surprise, given Asia’s incredible cultural, geographical, and culinary diversity, as well as its remarkable economic growth in recent decades.

To gain an understanding of the rising trend in craft gins, we interviewed some of the pros in the Asian Gin community. They have been championing regional flavours and incredible stories through their extraordinary spirits.

VERSATILITY OF GIN

With its multifaceted, flexible character, gin serves as an ideal vehicle for infusing a broad range of botanicals, herbs, spices, teas, and fruits native to Asia – a feat that many spirits cannot compare to. This presents craft distillers with a wonderful chance to put an imaginative spin on local botanicals.

Karina Aggarwal

“Gin as a drink occupied a fairly unique space when it comes to spirits—there is much less discourse and judgment on ‘how not to drink’ it as compared to other spirits; it is also very versatile in how bartenders, enthusiasts, or casual drinkers can play with it to customize it to their tastes.”

Founder of Brass Lion Distillery in Singapore, Jamie Koh, agrees “So much of gin-making is about the provenance of ingredients, and I think it’s great that each country in Asia can stamp its mark on the industry by highlighting its local botanicals.”

HOME TO AN AMAZING ARRAY OF UNIQUE BOTANICALS

What works particularly well for Asian craft gin distillers lies in the great variety of botanicals available in the diverse region, allowing for a plethora of possibilities and more flavour-forward craft gins.

As Aggarwal states, “We have access to indigenous botanicals that have enabled each brand to craft something truly distinct and uncover lost stories. For TERAI, the botanicals chosen were selected to emphasise Indian familiarity while breaking away from the traditional cardamom and pepper combination.”

With one of the world’s most diverse and sophisticated food cultures, China offers a variety of flavours to draw upon. Peddlers Gin calls upon the wealth of flavours that the country has to offer, such as Buddha’s Hand from Yunnan, Sichuan peppers, and lotus flowers from Ganshu, to deliver a complex, distinctive and balanced flavour profile. “Ultimately, we wanted to create a gin that was unique to our region but could stand alongside the best on the world stage,” explains Joseph Judd, Head of Brand at Peddlers Gin Company.

Jamie Koh

Similarly, Koh seeks to tell the story of Singapore and its local heritage to the world.

“As a centuries-old trading port, we’ve been pivotal in the transportation of spices from east to west. This, on top of our multicultural society, allows for a beautiful melting pot of ingredients that help to make our gins uniquely Singaporean.”

BOOMING DRINKING CULTURE IN ASIA

The trend of craft gins has grown immensely over recent years, a phenomenon attributed to expanding drinking culture and changing regional preferences. Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in experimenting with new spirits, in search of those that suit their personality, hence leading to an abundant variety of inventive products hitting the shelves.

In India, the gin market has grown significantly and spawned multiple domestic labels. “Observing customers go from enthusiastic supporters (of multiple brands) to favouring one product over the other has been fascinating,” says Aggarwal. Merely creating a gin isn’t enough nowadays; it must possess something distinctive – in terms of flavour, branding, or backstory – to stand out.

In addition, the flourishing cocktail culture has prompted many to start showing a greater interest in gin and different gin-based concoctions.

Joseph Judd

“We are fortunate to have played a tiny part in the thrilling and innovative cocktail culture in Shanghai which is beyond compare. There are multiple great cocktail bars in the city such as Union Trading Company, E.P.I.C. and Shake, among many others, that have raised the bar and we have seen numerous amazing concepts coming up since, each of which is contributing to the scene in its unique way.”

While the world grows increasingly aware of the extraordinary offerings these countries have to offer, the years ahead are looking incredibly exciting for craft gin in Asia. Craft gin distillers are in the unique position of being able to bring awareness to the various places that provide the source of the flavours they bring to their gins.

As Koh remarks: “We hope to continuously innovate while staying true to our roots. We’ve created our own lane and we plan to stay on it – highlighting the beauty of our local botanicals and striving to create spirits that represent who we are.”


ABOUT BRASS LION DISTILLERY

The birth of the idea came back in 2012 when they were looking for a spirit crafted here in Singapore. After embarking on a six-year journey to create a spirit that can truly encapsulate the heart of Singapore, Brass Lion Singapore Dry Gin was brought to life.

Building upon classic gin foundations of juniper berries and coriander seed, the first Singaporean micro-distillery introduced traditional Asian flavours such as the aromatic torch ginger flower and citrusy lemongrass. The result? A smooth, vibrant spirit that is the quintessential expression of The Singapore Dry Gin –  a true reflection of the cultural melting pot that is Singapore.

For more information, please visit Brass Lion Distillery.

ABOUT TERAI INDIAN DRY GIN

Founded by the Swarup Family in India, TERAI India Dry Gin is a  modern gin rooted in London Dry Gin traditions but with an intrinsically Indian flavour profile and character. It is a vibrant gin that begins with lush green notes lifted by citrus zest. This is followed by a characteristic floral bouquet and a sweet and piney juniper aroma. On the palate, sweet and herbaceous flavours are balanced by a dry spice and savoury finish. TERAI combines the love for our land, expertise in distillation and agriculture, a Spirit of Craft, and a devotion to a good drink to bring you the true India Dry Gin.

For more information, please visit TERAI India Dry Gin.

ABOUT PEDDLERS GIN COMPANY

Peddlers is a Shanghai gin company started in 2017 with a vision of challenging perceptions of what it means to be ‘Made in China’. Using uniquely Chinese ingredients like Sichuan Pepper and Buddha’s Hand, Peddlers Gin tells a story of diverse regions of China. With exports of their premium gin to over ten countries throughout the Asia Pacific, and triple-digit sales growth, Peddlers is proudly representing Shanghai to the world.

For more information, please visit Peddlers Gin Company.