Spirit Master: Stranger & Sons Gin

Consumer interest in juniper spirits is unfaltering – and adding a unique twist to the category is Indian gin Stranger & Sons. We take a closer look at this award-winning expression.

Stranger & Sons Gin was the debut spirit from Third Eye Distillery, crafted using Indian botanicals such as citrus peel, pepper, mace, nutmeg and more.

Rahul Mehra, Sakshi Saigal and Vidur Gupta founded the Third Eye Distillery in Goa, India, in 2018. Goa was picked for the distillery’s location due to its ‘lush expanse’ of spice farms.

Stranger & Sons Gin was inspired by its homeland’s ‘agricultural wealth, entrepreneurial spirit and rather wonderfully strange traditions’, hence the use of the word ‘stranger’ in the brand’s name.

In June 2021, The Spirits Business held the first part of its annual Gin Masters competition. The blind tasting took place at the Ibis Hotel in London Bridge, UK.

The judges were: Chris Tanner, bar manager at Milroy’s; Peter Downes, distillery partnerships specialist at Craft Gin Club; Nicola Carruthers, deputy editor of The Spirits Business magazine; Ben Lindsay, global spirits and on-premise consultant; Ivan Dixon, independent spirits consultant; David T Smith, spirits writer, consultant and co-founder of the Craft Distilling Expo; and Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business.

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.

It was the second award collected by Stranger & Sons Gin this year, after the brand received a Master medal in The Asian Spirits Masters in April. The gin scooped the top accolade with its aromas of “sweet spices, ginger and light citrus fruit peels”.

Bryan Rodriguez, wine and spirits buyer for Harvey Nichols and one of the judges, said: “The palate is wonderful – smooth and silky mouthfeel with no sharp edges or volatile alcohol.”

In addition, Stranger & Sons Gin took home another Gold medal in The Drinks Business and The Spirits Business Spring Blind Tasting 2021.

For further details about The Global Spirits Masters and to enter your brand, contact Rhiannon Morris: rhiannon.morris@thespiritsbusiness.com.