India’s premium spirits industry is undergoing a remarkable evolution, with today’s discerning consumers seeking far more than a familiar label. Authenticity, provenance, craftsmanship, and the stories behind every bottle are shaping the way premium spirits are experienced and appreciated. Mohan Meakin’s exclusive guided tasting in Bengaluru perfectly reflected this shift, offering an immersive journey into the brand’s heritage and its contemporary premium portfolio.
TheStyle.World had the opportunity to witness this thoughtfully curated evening firsthand, and this blog is a glimpse into our experience—from discovering the nuanced flavours of The Solan Gold Indian Single Malt Whisky and Jamun Craft Dry Gin to enjoying expertly paired cuisine and conversations that celebrated the growing stature of Indian spirits.
At the beautifully scenic poolside of Hyatt Centric MG Road, this exclusive, invite-only event showcased some of the best of India’s emerging premium spirits scene through an exquisite evening showcasing two premium brands from the distillery – The Solan Gold Indian Single Malt Whisky and Jamun Craft Dry Gin, The Himalayan Juniper. TheStyle.World was one of the lucky guests invited to an evening where all things about taste, story, and India’s growing premium spirits were showcased.
The experience curated for guests was not a run-of-the-mill product tasting but an immersive experience in the history, craftsmanship and Himalayan roots of these spirits.
The evening started with The Solan Gold Indian Single Malt Whisky, which is made at the iconic distillery of Mohan Meakin, located in Kasauli, situated on the Shivalik range of Himachal Pradesh. The long heritage of over 150 years of distilling gives a unique flavour profile to the whisky that is produced from select malted barley and Himalayan spring water through the copper pot distillation process.
The tasting had an intriguing aroma of honey, vanilla, and caramel with oak, followed by the taste of toffee, butterscotch, and baking spices. Elegant without being overpowering, the whisky reflected the growing confidence of Indian single malts in both domestic and international conversations.
The second expression showcased the lighter, contemporary side of the portfolio. Jamun Craft Dry Gin – The Himalayan Juniper is distilled in small batches using Himalayan spring water and a thoughtfully selected blend of botanicals. Bright citrus notes opened the palate before giving way to layers of juniper, coriander, mint, lemon verbena, plum, cubeb pepper, cinnamon, and orange peel. Fresh, balanced and extraordinarily smooth, the gin managed to encapsulate the purity and vivacity usually associated with Himalayan ingredients in a unique way that spoke of the innovation that is central to India’s booming craft gin industry.
In tandem with the taste testing, a well-selected menu served to showcase the diversity inherent in these two spirits. The menu offered an array of dishes, such as the Mango Kasundi Mustard Fish Tikka and Mushroom Cafreal, as well as Bhatti Ka Murgh, Parda Mutton Seekh Kebab, Rajma Galouti Kebab, Burrata Makhani and Whisky Dal Makhani. Desserts included coffee-rum-infused rasgulla tiramisu and Gadbad of Bengaluru.
The evening also symbolised something bigger for the beverage industry in India. According to Aslam Gafoor, consumers have started developing an interest in the history associated with beverages, ranging from where their ingredients originate to how their drinks are created and how their history can be traced back. Every sip on that night had a story to tell, with the beverage having a history steeped in the geography of the Himalayas, old distillation processes and years of expertise.
For TheStyle.World, the evening was not about the discovery of two spirits but the discovery of how one of the oldest distilleries in India is transforming itself to be relevant in the premium market segment in the Indian beverage industry. With a blend of heritage and innovation, Mohan Meakin is making its own contribution to the movement within India that promotes terroir, craftsmanship, and excellence of homegrown products.
