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India's craft gin revolution has produced several success stories, but few have achieved the global recognition of Stranger & Sons. Launched in 2018 by Third Eye Distillery in Goa, Stranger & Sons helped put Indian craft gin on the international map and demonstrated that Indian-made spirits could compete with some of the world's most respected gin brands.
What started as a small independent distillery in 2018 has grown into a multi-brand spirits company with products sold across India and in international markets including the UK, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE, Australia, and the United States. Today, Third Eye Distillery's portfolio includes gin, whisky, rum, ready-to-drink cocktails, and non-alcoholic mixers.
Here's everything you need to know about the company, its founders, brands, distillery tours, and why it has become one of the most influential names in Indian spirits.
Third Eye Distillery was founded in 2018 by Rahul Mehra, Sakshi Saigal, and Vidur Gupta. The company operates from Goa, with its production facility located in Ponda, while its corporate operations are based in Mumbai. Since its launch, Third Eye Distillery has positioned itself as a premium spirits producer with a portfolio that spans multiple categories.
The company's first product was Stranger & Sons Gin, which quickly became one of the most recognised names in India's emerging craft gin category. The success of the brand helped establish Third Eye Distillery as a major player in the premium alcohol segment.
The distillery is located in Ponda, Goa, a region that has become a major hub for India's premium spirits industry. Goa's long association with alcohol production, favourable regulations, and tourism-driven hospitality sector have made it a preferred location for many independent spirits producers.
According to The Gin Guild's producer directory, Third Eye Distillery is open to visitors, making it one of the few Indian craft distilleries that publicly lists itself as accessible to the public.
Yes, visitors can potentially tour the facility, but there is an important caveat.
Third Eye Distillery does not currently publish fixed daily visitor hours or a public tour calendar on its official channels. While industry directories list the distillery as open to the public, prospective visitors should contact the company directly before planning a visit. Tour availability may depend on production schedules, private events, and operational requirements.
The best way to arrange a visit is through the official Stranger & Sons website or the company's social media channels. Advance booking is advisable, especially during Goa's peak tourist season.
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The company's biggest success remains Stranger & Sons Gin. Launched in 2018, the gin uses a combination of Indian botanicals including gondhoraj lemon, black pepper, coriander, nutmeg, mace, cassia, angelica, and liquorice. The product helped distinguish itself from traditional London Dry styles by incorporating flavours commonly associated with Indian cuisine.
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Over the years, Stranger & Sons has received multiple international awards and has become one of the most recognized Indian craft spirits globally. Its success coincided with the rapid growth of India's craft gin movement, alongside brands such as Greater Than, Hapusa, and Jaisalmer.
While Stranger & Sons remains the flagship brand, the company has expanded considerably since 2018.
In 2025, Third Eye Distillery entered India's largest spirits category with the launch of Otherside Whiskey. The whisky is blended and aged in India before being finished in charred ex-bourbon barrels using a Solera-inspired maturation process. The launch marked the company's first major move into whisky.
In 2026, the company expanded into rum with the launch of Lost & Found Tropical Spiced Rum. Initially introduced in Goa, the brand is scheduled for expansion into additional Indian markets including Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Haryana.
Third Eye Distillery also operates the Short Story Spirits range, which includes gin, vodka, and rum products aimed at the premium cocktail market. The range has become increasingly visible in bars and hospitality venues across India.
The company has also experimented with coffee-based spirits through Perry Road Peru, a coffee liqueur created using Indian coffee beans and designed primarily for cocktail applications.
One of Third Eye Distillery's biggest business moves came in 2022 when it acquired a controlling 51% stake in Svami, one of India's leading premium tonic water and mixer brands.
The acquisition expanded the company's presence beyond alcoholic beverages and gave it a stronger foothold in India's rapidly growing cocktail ecosystem. Today, Svami remains an important part of Third Eye Distillery's portfolio.
Third Eye Distillery's growth has not been limited to India.
According to company information, its products are now available in multiple international markets, including:
This international footprint has made Third Eye Distillery one of the most globally visible Indian craft spirits companies.
Much of the company's international reputation has been built through Stranger & Sons Gin. The brand has won recognition at several global spirits competitions and is frequently cited as one of the products that helped revive interest in Indian-made gin. Industry publications have highlighted Stranger & Sons as part of a new generation of Indian spirits gaining international attention.
The brand has also built a strong following among spirits enthusiasts, with discussions on online communities often mentioning it alongside other respected Indian craft spirits.
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When Stranger & Sons launched in 2018, India's craft gin market was still relatively small. Since then, the category has expanded significantly, with Indian gins now appearing in bars, retail stores, and spirits competitions around the world. Industry observers frequently cite brands such as Stranger & Sons among the companies that helped accelerate this growth.
By expanding into whisky, rum, mixers, and ready-to-drink products, Third Eye Distillery has also evolved from a single-brand company into a broader premium spirits business.
Founded in 2018, Third Eye Distillery has become one of the most influential names in India's craft spirits industry. From the success of Stranger & Sons Gin to newer launches such as Otherside Whiskey and Lost & Found Tropical Spiced Rum, the company has steadily expanded its presence across categories and international markets. With operations in Goa and products sold around the world, Third Eye Distillery continues to be one of the companies shaping the future of premium Indian spirits.
