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When Nao Spirits launched Hapusa in 2018, Indian craft gin was still finding its feet. Greater Than had already introduced drinkers to the idea that India could produce a world-class London Dry Gin, but Hapusa took things in an entirely different direction. Rather than trying to replicate the familiar citrus-forward style of European gins, it looked inward, building a spirit around India's own landscapes, ingredients and flavors.
The result was the world's first Himalayan Dry Gin, distilled with wild-foraged Himalayan juniper and an all-Indian botanical bill. Nearly eight years later, Hapusa remains one of India's most recognizable premium craft spirits and continues to feature on cocktail menus from Mumbai and Bengaluru to London and Singapore.
So, is it worth paying upwards of INR 2,000 for a bottle? If you're looking for a gin that genuinely tastes different from the crowd, the answer is yes, but perhaps not for the reasons you'd expect.
Nao Spirits & Beverages was founded in Goa in 2016 by Anand Virmani, Aparajita Ninan and Vaibhav Singh, with Abhinav Rajput later joining the leadership team. The founders noticed something curious. India consumed millions of litres of gin every year, yet almost none of it represented India itself.
Most premium gin shelves were dominated by imported brands such as Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's and Monkey 47. Indian-made gin largely catered to the mass market, with very little emphasis on craftsmanship or native botanicals.
Instead of copying London Dry Gin traditions, Nao Spirits decided to build something rooted in Indian terroir.
That vision eventually became Hapusa. The name itself comes from the Sanskrit word for juniper, the botanical that gives every gin its unmistakable identity.
Rather than importing juniper berries from Europe, the team chose to source wild Himalayan juniper, harvested from forests in the Himalayas. That single decision changed the entire personality of the gin.
Also Read: Where To Buy Greater Than Gin In India: Price & Availability Guide
Every gin starts with juniper. The difference lies in which juniper and what accompanies it. Hapusa is built around a botanical basket sourced entirely from India.
These include:
Unlike floral gins that chase lavender or elderflower aromas, Hapusa is deliberately earthy and savory.
It's a gin that smells like walking through a pine forest after rainfall rather than a citrus orchard. That makes it one of the most distinctive bottles on the Indian market.
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Although its flavors come from across India, Hapusa is distilled at Nao Spirits' distillery in Goa. Production happens in a custom-built copper pot still named Agotha.
Rather than operating like a large industrial distillery, Nao treats production as a small-batch process.
Botanicals are carefully balanced to maintain consistency despite natural seasonal variation, particularly the Himalayan juniper, which is still wild-foraged rather than commercially cultivated.
That attention to detail is one reason Hapusa commands a premium price. It's also why bartenders often describe it as a sipping gin rather than simply another cocktail base.
Crystal clear with excellent viscosity. The spirit feels slightly richer in the glass than many London Dry gins.
The first aroma is unmistakably pine. Fresh juniper dominates, followed by wild herbs, forest floor and delicate floral notes.
As it opens up, subtle hints of gondhoraj lime begin to emerge, lifting the heavier botanicals without overwhelming them. Unlike citrus-heavy gins, Hapusa feels greener and more resinous.
This is where Hapusa really separates itself. Instead of immediately tasting lemon or orange peel, you first notice earthy turmeric and the freshness of green cardamom.
Raw mango adds brightness rather than sweetness. The juniper remains the star throughout, creating a savory backbone that carries the entire drinking experience.
One of the nicest things about Hapusa is its versatility. Unlike lighter floral gins that almost disappear beneath tonic water, Hapusa's robust botanical profile continues to shine.
For first-time drinkers, a simple Gin & Tonic remains the easiest introduction.
Use:
Skip overly flavored tonics.
They hide what makes Hapusa unique.
If you enjoy spirit-forward cocktails, Hapusa truly excels in:
Many bartenders also recommend drinking it straight from the freezer.
Because of its oily texture and strong juniper backbone, it performs surprisingly well without mixers.
India's premium gin market has grown rapidly over the last decade.
Today you'll find excellent bottles like:
Greater Than
Still the best value premium gin in India.
Juniper-forward, crisp and citrusy.
Ideal for everyday Gin & Tonics.
Stranger & Sons
A brighter, more playful gin built around citrus, pepper and warming spice.
Fantastic in cocktails.
Slightly more approachable than Hapusa.
Jin Jiji
Perhaps the closest stylistically to Hapusa.
It also celebrates Himalayan botanicals but leans towards softer aromatics and floral elegance.
Tamras
Uses botanicals like betel leaf and fennel, resulting in a sweeter, more herbaceous profile. Compared to all of them, Hapusa is unquestionably the boldest.
Hapusa isn't a bottle you buy simply because you need gin for a party. It's a bottle you buy because you're curious.
If your idea of gin begins and ends with a standard Gin & Tonic, it might initially feel unusual.
But if you've already enjoyed brands like Tanqueray, Monkey 47, Hendrick's or Stranger & Sons, Hapusa offers something genuinely different.
Its flavors are unmistakably Indian without becoming gimmicky, and that's perhaps its greatest achievement.
Also Read: Roku Gin Launches Exclusive Botanical Kasane Edition For Indian Airports
One of the biggest surprises for first-time buyers is how much Hapusa's price varies depending on where you purchase it. Unlike many countries where spirits have relatively consistent pricing, alcohol in India is regulated at the state level. Excise duties, import fees, local taxes and licensing costs all influence the final retail price, which explains why the same bottle can cost nearly INR 1,600 more in one state than another.
Here are the approximate retail prices for a 750ml bottle of Hapusa Himalayan Dry Gin:
State | Approx. Price |
|---|---|
Goa | INR 2,120 |
Chandigarh | INR 2,200 |
Haryana | INR 2,500 |
West Bengal | INR 2,660 |
Karnataka | INR 3,545 |
Maharashtra | INR 3,600 |
Madhya Pradesh | INR 3,700 |
Goa continues to be the best place to buy Hapusa thanks to significantly lower excise duties, making it nearly 40% cheaper than in Maharashtra or Madhya Pradesh. Retail prices may change following annual state excise revisions, so consider these as approximate MRPs for 2026.
If the regular Hapusa isn't bold enough, Nao Spirits also produces Hapusa Distiller's Batch.
Bottled at 47% ABV, it amplifies the juniper character while maintaining the same Indian botanical backbone. The higher proof gives it a richer mouthfeel and greater intensity, making it particularly suited for Martinis and Negronis where the gin remains the centrepiece.
Unlike the standard bottle, Distiller's Batch is released in limited quantities and is generally available only in:
Because batches are small, bottles often sell out quickly and may not be available year-round. If you spot one, it's worth picking up, especially if you enjoy juniper-forward gins.
Hapusa has become far easier to find than when it first launched. Following Diageo India's acquisition of Nao Spirits in 2025, distribution has expanded through premium retail channels, helping the brand reach more cities while retaining its craft positioning.
Today you'll commonly find Hapusa at premium liquor stores in:
Licensed retailers such as Living Liquidz (where applicable), Tonique and other premium wine shops frequently stock the bottle, although online availability depends entirely on state alcohol regulations.
If your local retailer stocks brands like Stranger & Sons, Jaisalmer or Greater Than, there's a good chance they either carry Hapusa or can order it.
This is where opinions differ. If you're comparing Hapusa purely on price, there are certainly cheaper craft gins.
Greater Than costs almost half as much in many states. Stranger & Sons is also more affordable in several markets. However, comparing Hapusa only on price misses the point.
You're paying for:
It's not designed to be an everyday budget mixer. It's a bottle you buy because you're interested in flavour and craftsmanship.
No other Indian gin tastes quite like Hapusa. The combination of piney juniper, turmeric, raw mango and gondhoraj lime gives it an identity that's unmistakably its own.
Many gins disappear beneath tonic water. Hapusa doesn't. Its structure makes it enjoyable even when served neat from the freezer.
Martinis.
Negronis.
Gimlets.
These are where Hapusa really shines.
Rather than overpowering the cocktail, its earthy botanicals add depth and complexity.
Unlike brands that simply add one or two local ingredients, Hapusa genuinely celebrates Indian terroir.
Every botanical comes from India. That authenticity is difficult to replicate.
At over INR 3,500 in states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Hapusa sits firmly in the luxury category.
If you're new to gin, its earthy, resinous character may initially feel unusual.
Drinkers accustomed to citrus-heavy London Dry styles may need a little time to appreciate its profile.
The higher-proof Distiller's Batch remains difficult to find outside a handful of states.
Hapusa isn't trying to be another London Dry Gin. It doesn't chase floral sweetness, flashy packaging or easy-drinking appeal.
Instead, it tells a story of India's forests, spice farms and mountains through a spirit that feels confident, original and proudly local.
Eight years after its launch, it remains one of the defining bottles of India's craft gin movement. While Greater Than introduced many people to premium Indian gin, Hapusa demonstrated that an Indian spirit could stand comfortably beside some of the world's best. Is it expensive? Yes.
Is it worth it? If you enjoy classic gin, appreciate bold juniper and want to experience one of India's most distinctive premium spirits, absolutely.
For anyone building a serious home bar or looking to explore beyond mainstream international labels, Hapusa remains one of the easiest recommendations in the Indian craft gin category.
Unsobered Rating: 4.7/5
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