Greater Than Gin shined at the BBB Awards 2024 (Best Brands in Bars 2024). The much-anticipated awards were announced with full glory at the KTPO Convention Centre, Whitefield, Bengaluru, on 4 September 2024. It was a glittering ceremony that celebrated the cream of beverage alcohol and non-alcoholic drink brands across India for craftsmanship, innovation, and excellence in the country’s best bars. In collaboration with Byg Ventures and Guala Closures, Brews & Spirits hosted the ceremony.
It was followed by some of the finest brands from India as they came forth, taking this award home for their worthy contribution to the drinking scene. A major highlight of the night was our very own Editor-in-Chief of The Style. World, Ms. Shrishti Jaiswal, as she took over the stage to facilitate some of the most coveted awards for the night.
Craft, Innovation, and Excellence of Greater Than Gin
Greater Than Gin shines bright in the ever-changing world of spirits. This is that gin which, over these years, has continued to uphold both tradition and innovation with aplomb without losing an iota of its sophistication. Founded in India, a country that overflows with a rich and diverse history concerning spices, flavours, and botanicals, Greater Than Gin has been fascinating gin lovers with its specific taste and peculiar process of production. From its inception to the most celebrated gin in India is an interesting story. Origin Story: Greater Than Gin was born with the notion to create a high-quality, locally produced gin that stands shoulder to shoulder with its global counterparts. It is this keenness for distillation that brought founders Anand Virmani and Vaibhav Singh together to create a gin that is Indian at heart but world-wide in its spirit. Thus, they started the parent company of Greater Than Gin called Nao Spirits in 2015 in Goa—popular for its vibrant cultural beauty, coastal beauty, and experimental spirit.
In the monopolized Indian market for whiskey, rum, and beer, Greater Than was truly a pioneer. The creators wanted to tap into the gin potential of the Indian market and the great history it enjoys with juniper and botanicals, both being indispensable ingredients to make exceptional gin.
A Taste of Indian Gin: The Botanical Blend
More than anything, the painful selection of botanicals, local and international, is what sets Greater Than Gin apart. The juniper, which is at the heart of any gin, is from Macedonia, while other botanicals like coriander seeds, fennel, chamomile, and ginger are proudly Indian.
This is a deliberate botanical blend that imparts its characteristic flavour profile into Greater Than Gin: citrusy, fresh, and herbaceous with a spice base. Smoothened and crisp, this would work just as well in a classic gin and tonic as in a slightly more involved cocktail, allowing it to please a wide range of gin drinkers.
Evolution of Greater Than Gin
Quite interestingly, since its birth, the evolution of Greater Than has been witnessed, from first being introduced as a gin for the Indian market to international attention regarding its quality and flavour among the connoisseurs of gin. Soon after, when demand increased, exports began to start to countries such as the UK, Singapore, and Spain, among others, further establishing it as an internationally recognised brand of gin.
Besides the classic Greater Than, several limited-edition expressions have been released as a homage to some of the very disparate and exotic flavours of India. And with each new release, the brand furthers its ethos of crafting something greater-whether through unique infusions with chefs or experimenting with innovative ingredients like kaffir lime and Szechuan peppercorns.
Bottling Elegance of the Greater Than Gin
While the taste of Greater Than Gin is, of course, the number one reason for trying it, its beautiful minimalist packaging makes a very important part of the product’s allure. The tall, slim bottle is meant to reflect this modern, premium character of the gin. The name “Greater Than” is reflected by a striking yet minimalist “>” symbol on the bottle, which truly represents the ambition of the brand to create a gin that is greater than expected and even superior to the ordinary.
Transparent glass shows off the clarity of the gin, while a clean and monochromatic label displays a statement of simplicity and elegance. It reflects the purity of the spirit inside but also makes it one of those attractive additions to every bar or drinks cabinet.
The bottle design itself—a sleek, handsome echo of the clean, crisp experience that is drinking Greater Than Gin—perfectly captures the ethos of the brand: minimalist and modern, yet with a sense of sophistication that appeals to the casual gin drinker and the aficionado alike.
Unwrapping the Limited Editions of Greater Than Gin
Greater Than Gin is one such brand that has taken up a new way of marrying traditional craftsmanship with innovative flavours. Therefore, it has widened its arsenal with several limited-edition gins. Each of its expressions oozes an assurance from the brand of being unique and adventurous in spirit-making. Let’s look into the different limited editions as follows:
1. Broken Bat Gin
Broken Bat Gin is a true homage to the rich and aromatic heritage of the spirit but with a twist for modern tastes. The name “broken bat” itself was born from classic cricket terminology for its resilience and characteristic. It is a complex blend of traditional botanicals combined with unexpected flavours that provide a robust yet complex profile. Rich and earthy, with just a little hint of spice, it is in a class of its own for gin connoisseurs interested in experiencing something new and memorable.
2. No Sleep Coffee Infused Gin
For the true connoisseur, this is where it gets interesting: No Sleep Coffee Infused. This limited edition combines the aromatic richness of fresh-brewed coffee with the crisp freshness of gin. High-quality coffee beans infused in it lend a bold and refreshing flavour profile, representing a perfect blend of the best of both worlds. Smooth, with aromas of gin and the kick of coffee, it is perfect as a sophisticated digestif or as a base for innovative cocktails.
3. Punk Gin
Punk Gin isn’t messing around, bold and the real defiant kid of its name. This limited edition takes its inspiration from punk rock-what’s more punk than taking something so traditional and turning it on its head? Luminous and pungent, floral notes with zesty citrus and spicy peppercorns, Punk Gin is about making a statement. It’s an unusual flavour fest, a real experimentation of flavours that will surely appeal to gin lovers who like a bit more attitude in their spirit.
4. Juniper Bomb
Juniper Bomb is a tribute to the core ingredient in gin, the juniper berries. This limited edition does capture the pure and fresh essence of juniper, bringing an intense refreshing flavour. The pronounced juniper kick is nicely balanced by subtle herbal and citrus notes that make Juniper Bomb a true celebration of the classic gin flavour profile in its strongest possible form. It is perfect for purists and those who love strong, genuine juniper flavours.
Greater Than Gin stands tall as a testimony to Indian Gin craftsmanship and botanical prowess. Sleek in its bottling design, promising a flavour profile ever-changing with its Indian and international botanicals, Greater Than cuts a niche for itself in the spirits world. Sipped on a sunny afternoon or an evening soiree, chic and full of charm, the toast remains flavourful, innovative, and elegant—greater than Gin.
Cheers to what’s greater!
