In the mist of hills, a gin rises; Cherrapunji has uplifted Meghalaya’s glory on global spirits’ map.

In the mist-draped hills of Cherrapunji, where the clouds descend like whispers and the rains write poetry across the red earth, a quiet revolution is brewing. A bottle of gin, born from rainwater and infused with the wild heart of Meghalaya, has just stunned the global spirits world.

Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin, distilled by Raincheck Earth Co., has bagged the prestigious Double Gold Medal at the 2025 Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards held in California — a rare honour shared by less than 2 per cent of over 1,200 entries from across the globe. But what makes this victory remarkable is not just the medal — it’s the story behind the bottle. At the heart of this gin is rain; not just any rain, but the fabled downpours of Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth. The spirit is crafted using harvested rainwater, a nod to the region’s ecological uniqueness and a tribute to its fragile environment. This water forms the base of the gin, which is then layered with a dozen of botanicals — Khasi mandarin, Himalayan juniper, smoked cardamom, even smoked tea — all locally sourced, all deeply evocative of the north eastern terroir.

“This award is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the people who enjoy spirits in real life”, says Mayukh Hazarika, the founder of Raincheck Earth Co. “We didn’t want to just create another gin. We wanted to bottle a place, a feeling, a rainfall — the essence of Cherrapunji”.

The SIP Awards are unique in the liquor world — judged not by industry insiders, but by over 300 everyday spirit enthusiasts, who sample entries through double-blind tastings. That Cherrapunji Gin emerged at the top is testament to its authentic flavour profile — citrus forward with a smoky, earthy undertone that lingers like Meghalaya’s perpetual mist.

But this isn’t just a win for one distillery; It’s a signal flare for Meghalaya’s fledgling craft alcohol industry, which is showing signs of awakening. The state, rich in indigenous fruits, herbs, and wild aromatics, is increasingly being recognised as a potential hub for premium wine and spirit production. From pineapples in Ri-Bhoi to wild berries in West Khasi Hills, the ingredients are here — all waiting to be distilled into liquid gold.

Raincheck Earth Co. has become a trailblazer, not just for its award-winning recipe, but for its sustainable approach. The gin is packaged in sleek, reusable stainless-steel bottles — a bold design move that aligns with the eco-conscious ethos of the region. Behind the brand lies a partnership with a Dutch master distiller, blending global expertise with indigenous knowledge. The result is a gin that feels both modern and ancient — a nod to Meghalaya’s deep-rooted traditions and its evolving contemporary identity.

While states like Goa and Himachal Pradesh have made headlines for their craft brews and boutique spirits, Meghalaya — with its clean air, fertile land, and unmatched rainfall — is quietly carving a niche.

This gin offers a different story: one of innovation, sustainability, and global aspiration.

Mayukh, a son of the soil, believes that the hills of Meghalaya can inspire a new wave of artisanal alcohol rooted in place and story. “Cherrapunji Gin is just the beginning. There’s so much more here. The world is thirsty for authenticity, and we have that in abundance”.

As the rainclouds gather once again over Cherrapunji, somewhere in California, someone sips a gin and tonic — unaware, perhaps, that they’re tasting the rains of Meghalaya, filtered through the dreams of a mountain distiller, bottled with care, and sent across the world with a whisper from the hills.

Team Maverick