Cherrapunji Gin: A Story of Rain, Roots, Women and Global Recognition

By Nathalie Baylaucq 9.09.2025

Cherrapunji Gin, is crafted by Raincheck Earth Co.

In the rain-soaked hills of Meghalaya, where clouds kiss the cliffs of Sohra (Cherrapunji), a gin is telling a story deeper than flavor.

Cherrapunji Gin, distilled using harvested rainwater and native botanicals, is not only India’s first rainwater-based gin — it is a distilled narrative of matrilineal heritage, monsoon-soaked landscapes, and bold craftsmanship.

Among the Khasi people of Sohra, lineage passes through the mother. Property and family names are inherited by daughters, with the youngest — the khatduh — keeping the ancestral home.

This rare matrilineal system shapes the rhythm of life here, where women carry forward identity, land, and legacy.

Now, this cultural richness finds expression in a bottle.

Cherrapunji Gin, developed in collaboration with a Dutch master distiller, blends pure rainwater with Khasi mandarin, Himalayan juniper, and smoked cardamom — creating a citrus-forward gin layered with earthy, smoky notes that mirror the wild, untamed beauty of Meghalaya.

Cherrapunji Gin: Double Gold SIP Awards

In 2025, this gin earned Double Gold at the SIP Awards in California, one of the highest honors in the spirits world — and the only major competition judged entirely by consumers. Out of 1,200 entries from 60+ countries, fewer than 2% reached this elite tier. The win signals global resonance with a gin rooted in place, story, and soul.

For Raincheck Earth Co., this is more than a win — it’s a moment. A toast to the Northeast, to women-led legacies, to rain as resource, and to a region redefining what Indian craft spirits can be.