For centuries, winemakers have spoken of terroir—that magical interplay between soil, climate, and tradition. But can gin capture the essence of place with the same level of authenticity? After tasting Cherrapunji Craft Gin from Mawsynram, India, I can tell you: absolutely.
The Rainiest Place on Earth
Nestled in northeastern Meghalaya, Mawsynram gets a staggering 11,872 millimeters of annual rainfall—the highest in the world. This isn’t just a meteorological curiosity; it’s the foundation of everything this craft gin represents. The subtropical highland climate creates unique growing conditions for botanicals you won’t find anywhere else.
Here’s the thing: the distillery harnesses this abundant rainfall through rainwater harvesting with a 50,000-liter steel tank. The rain that defines the region becomes the spirit’s base—poetic justice.
A Botanical Symphony
What sets this Indian craft gin apart is its commitment to local sourcing. Cherrapunji features 12 native botanicals from northeast India, creating a flavor profile impossible to replicate elsewhere. They use GI-tagged (Geographical Indication) Khasi mandarin—think of it like Champagne’s protected designation. Kaji nemu, an aromatic lime from Assam, delivers unmistakable citrus notes, while smoked tea from the Lushai hills adds a mysterious dimension.
Black and green cardamoms alongside wild forest peppercorns from Sikkim and Meghalaya provide exotic warmth. The result? A gin that tastes distinctly, unapologetically Indian.
Sustainability at the Core
This Dutch-Indian collaboration reduces energy consumption by 70% and uses military-grade stainless steel bottles (just 155 grams) instead of glass. Let me be honest: while brilliantly eco-conscious and reusable as a water bottle afterward, it lacks the premium aesthetic that glass provides. It’s also surprisingly difficult to open—I struggled with it myself.
My Tasting Experience
At 42.8% alcohol, Cherrapunji demands attention. When I first nosed it neat, I got goosebumps—seriously. The aroma is incredibly intriguing and attractive, nothing like standard gin. I picked up multiple types of citrus—mandarin, lime, dried herbs, different berries, and spices you don’t encounter in European gins because they don’t grow here.
On the palate? Peppery, floral, herbaceous. It’s beautifully structured with a taut finish that showcases its strength without harshness.
With ice, the melting water creates subtle dilution, revealing more citrus, apple, cinnamon, pepper, and coriander notes. The cold temperature brings out freshness while softening the alcohol’s edge—a completely different intensity.
With tonic, everything balances beautifully. The botanicals hold their ground while the tonic’s bitterness adds another layer. But here’s my honest take: it felt like a shame to dilute this with tonic. I preferred it neat or with just a small ice cube in a wine glass, allowing those complex aromas to develop freely.
The Verdict
With awards from the London Spirits Competition, World Gin Awards, and International Wine & Spirits Competition, Cherrapunji has earned global recognition. It proves spirits can express terroir as authentically as wine. This is definitely a recommendation—seek it out, taste it neat first, and experience what happens when the world’s rainiest place meets thoughtful, sustainable distillation. And when you finish the bottle? You’ll have a unique water bottle that might retain that delicious aroma.
More information: https://cherrapunji.co/
Order it at: https://amsterdamliquorstore.com/collections/gin-1/products/cherrapunji-gin-0-7l
