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India's craft gin movement has come a long way over the last decade. While brands like Greater Than introduced drinkers to Indian-made gin, Hapusa Himalayan Dry Gin carved out its own identity by doing something few distilleries had attempted before: creating a gin made entirely with Indian botanicals and centred around wild Himalayan juniper. Since its launch in 2018 by Nao Spirits, Hapusa has earned a loyal following among bartenders, collectors and gin enthusiasts, while also winning recognition internationally.
But with a bottle costing anywhere between INR 2,120 in Goa and INR 3,600 in Maharashtra, is it actually worth paying more than many other Indian craft gins? Or are you simply paying for the story?
After comparing it with some of the biggest names in the same price bracket, here's what makes Hapusa stand out.
Unlike a traditional London Dry Gin that relies heavily on imported botanicals, Hapusa is built around Indian ingredients.
Its signature botanical is wild Himalayan juniper, hand-foraged from the Himalayas. Instead of the bright citrus style found in many contemporary gins, Hapusa leans into earthy, savory flavors inspired by Indian forests and spice markets.
Along with juniper, the botanical basket includes:
Everything is sourced from India, making Hapusa one of the few premium gins that genuinely reflects Indian terroir rather than borrowing heavily from European recipes.
The result is a gin that's bold, herbaceous and layered, with aromas of pine forests and wildflowers, followed by earthy spice and a long peppery finish.
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Hapusa: INR 2,120–INR 3,700
Stranger & Sons: Approximately INR 2,300–INR 3,200 depending on the state.
These two are often compared because, but they target very different drinkers.
Stranger & Sons is fruit-forward and citrus-driven. It uses ingredients like black pepper, coriander, nutmeg and citrus peel to create a versatile gin that works brilliantly in a Gin & Tonic or citrus-heavy cocktails.
Hapusa is far more juniper-forward. The earthy turmeric, raw mango and Himalayan botanicals give it considerably more depth.
If you're new to gin, Stranger & Sons is easier to enjoy.
If you've already developed a taste for classic gin and appreciate botanical complexity, Hapusa is the more rewarding bottle.
Winner: Hapusa for sipping. Stranger & Sons for cocktails.
Also Read: Inside Third Eye Distillery: Complete Guide To India's Award-Winning Craft Gin Distillery
Both sit comfortably in the INR 2,500–INR 3,500 range across most Indian states.
Jaisalmer takes inspiration from classic London Dry Gin while incorporating Indian botanicals like Darjeeling green tea and lemongrass.
It remains crisp, clean and citrus-led. Hapusa, meanwhile, offers more earthy spice and resinous pine notes.
Jaisalmer is an excellent everyday premium gin. Hapusa feels more distinctive and memorable. If someone served both blind, Hapusa would probably be easier to identify because of its unique savory character.
Roku, from Japan, focuses on precision and balance. Japanese botanicals such as sakura flower, yuzu and sencha tea give Roku an elegant, floral personality.
Hapusa heads in the opposite direction. Rather than subtle floral notes, it delivers bold pine, spice and earthy warmth.
Neither is objectively better. If Roku is like a carefully composed piece of Japanese cuisine, Hapusa is more like a robust Himalayan meal with layers of spice and texture.
Hendrick's remains one of the world's most recognizable premium gins thanks to its cucumber and rose infusion. It's delicate, floral and refreshing.
Hapusa doesn't try to compete on those terms. Instead, it embraces juniper and spice without apology. If you enjoy floral gins, Hendrick's may suit your palate better.
If you're after a gin that tastes unmistakably like a spirit rather than flavored tonic water, Hapusa is likely to leave a stronger impression.
Tanqueray No. Ten has long been considered one of the finest Martini gins in the world. Its citrus-forward profile makes beautifully clean cocktails.
Interestingly, Hapusa performs equally well in spirit-forward cocktails like Martinis and Negronis, although the flavor profile is completely different. Instead of citrus dominating the drink, you get deeper pine, pepper and earthy spice.
Bartenders often appreciate Hapusa because it doesn't disappear behind vermouth or Campari. It continues to shine throughout the cocktail.
This is where Hapusa separates itself from many other gins. The brand itself recommends chilling the bottle in the freezer before serving.
While most gin drinkers instinctively reach for tonic water, Hapusa is surprisingly enjoyable neat.
The cold temperature softens the alcohol while allowing the juniper, turmeric and raw mango to develop slowly on the palate. It almost drinks like a botanical sipping spirit rather than a conventional mixer.
Hapusa isn't necessarily the best gin for every cocktail. Its bold botanical profile can dominate lighter drinks.
Its earthy profile deserves recipes that allow the botanicals to remain the star.
State | Approximate 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 |
Prices vary because alcohol taxation differs across states.
For enthusiasts, the Hapusa Distiller's Batch is worth seeking out.
Available in select markets including Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan, this limited expression is bottled at 47% ABV and contains an even higher concentration of Himalayan juniper.
Compared to the standard bottling, it offers:
It's not necessarily better for beginners, but experienced gin drinkers will appreciate the extra intensity.
Also Read: Roku Gin Launches Exclusive Botanical Kasane Edition For Indian Airports
That depends on what you're looking for. If your idea of drinking gin is mixing it with flavored tonic, fruit juice and plenty of ice, you probably won't notice enough of Hapusa's character to justify spending nearly INR 3,600. A bottle of Greater Than or Stranger & Sons will deliver excellent cocktails at a lower price.
However, if you enjoy exploring spirits, making classic cocktails or sipping gin with minimal dilution, Hapusa starts to make much more sense. Its use of wild-foraged Himalayan juniper and entirely Indian botanicals gives it a flavor profile that very few gins, Indian or imported, can replicate.
It also carries a sense of place. Rather than trying to imitate a London Dry, Hapusa embraces Indian ingredients and creates a style that feels original. That authenticity is a large part of what you're paying for.
Hapusa isn't the cheapest Indian craft gin, nor is it trying to be. Instead, it offers something genuinely distinctive: a bold, juniper-led gin rooted in Indian terroir, with enough complexity to satisfy experienced gin drinkers while remaining approachable for curious newcomers. Whether enjoyed neat from the freezer, in a classic Negroni or a dry Martini, it consistently delivers a flavor profile that stands apart from most bottles in its category.
For casual weekend G&Ts, there are more affordable options. But if you're building a home bar, enjoy premium spirits or want to experience one of India's most influential craft gins, Hapusa is absolutely worth considering. It represents not just a well-made gin, but one of the brands that helped put Indian craft spirits on the global map.
Overall Rating: 9.3/10
Best For: Gin enthusiasts, Martini lovers, Negroni drinkers and anyone looking to explore an authentically Indian craft gin.
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