O.U.A.T. (Once Upon A Time): Where empty bottles get a second life and a stylish new story “Feature Desk”

From Features Desk

Vaniitha Jaiin, one of India’s foremost voices in the premium and luxury alcobev space, widely recognised among the Top 10 Women of Wine in India and internationally celebrated as an authority on wines and spirits, has announced the launch of Revelry Distillery, a craft-driven distillery in Sattari, India, dedicated to creating small-batch, world-class spirits that honour depth, origin and detail.
Located in the lush Sattari region of North Goa, Revelry Distillery is purpose-built to nurture spirits rooted in terroir, sustainability and precision. Designed with global sensibility and equipped with state-of-the-art distillation technology, Revelry is more than a facility, it is a creative sanctuary where botanicals meet science, and intuition meets intention.
With a strong focus on scalability (approximately one million bottles annually), the distillery houses cutting-edge infrastructure, including a dedicated R&D lab and a meticulous spirits-making system. The five-step gin-making process includes Botanical Maceration, Copper Pot Distillation, Vapour Infusion, Cold Vacuum Distillation and Staging. With a customised Hagyo pot still from Hungary, Revelry ensures exceptional flavour consistency and scale.
As one of the few distilleries globally to employ.Copper Pot distillation, Vapour Infusion and Cold Vacuum Distillation in tandem, it is elevated by advanced technologies enabling real-time monitoring and data-driven precision.
From copper stills calibrated for gentle extraction to bespoke ageing and blending processes, every detail is curated to enable the creation of spirits with soul.
“Revelry is built on a foundation of authenticity, storytelling and meticulous craftsmanship, paving the way for India to establish itself as a key contender in the premium global spirits market,” says Vaniitha Jaiin, Founder & Chief Evangelist of Revelry Distillery.
Introducing Vanaha Gin: A Spirit with Soul
At the heart of this new venture lies its debut creation — Vanaha Gin. Inspired by the tranquillity and biodiversity of Indian forests, Vanaha (Vana वन = forest; Aha आहा = epiphany) is a Sipping Gin that seamlessly combines bold character with nuanced depth and forest-born elegance.
Distilled from the forest, made for the world, Vanaha is a 100% natural gin with no artificial flavours. It embodies the essence of the forest and presents a layered, expressive profile that celebrates India’s rich natural heritage while appealing to the modern connoisseur who seeks sophistication, whether in company or solitude.
Vanaha is a unique ‘forest to bottle’ gin that builds a distinct identity by combining heritage, quality and complexity to create an aspirational presence in the market.
Crafted with Precision and Purpose
Crafted with deep reverence for nature, Vanaha holds the rhythm of the forest – rich, layered and alive. It features a rare blend of 24 handpicked botanicals, including Deodar Wood, Patchouli, Cacao Nibs, Palash Flowers, Pine Tips, Assam Lemons, Wild Berries, Sikkim Mandarin, Orris Root, Angelica Root and Juniper Berries. Each botanical is selected for purity, provenance and its contribution to the gin’s earthy, woody and aromatic profile. Free from artificial additives, Vanaha is distilled to its purest essence.
Elevated by Cold Vacuum Distillation – the first of its kind in India – this method preserves delicate aromatic notes, allowing Vanaha to stand out in aroma, flavour and finish. The combination of three distinct distillation techniques results in a smooth, layered spirit with floral, earthy, woody and subtly spiced undertones. Vanaha is best enjoyed neat over ice or in cocktails, offering a versatile experience for those who value ritual over rush.
Intended for discerning gin drinkers and collectors, Vanaha appeals to those who appreciate depth and nuance, as well as to global, evolved Indian consumers seeking terroir-driven spirits that reflect provenance and purpose.
“With Vanaha, we are not just launching a gin — we hope to usher in a quiet revolution in Indian spirits, where provenance meets purity, craftsmanship meets consciousness, and indulgence meets intention. We wanted to create a spirit that speaks to the modern connoisseur — someone who seeks depth, not dazzle; ritual, not rush. At its core, Vanaha is a celebration of India — its richness, its roots, and its rising global presence. Our vision is to build a world-class gin that proudly embodies the Make in India spirit and stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest international brands,” says Vaniitha.
India’s Premium Spirits Market Finds Its Moment Vanaha arrives at a pivotal time for India’s spirits market. The Indian gin sector is projected to be worth $1,789.8 million in 2025 and is expected to grow to $2,952 million by 2032, with a CAGR of 7.4%. The premium segment alone is anticipated to expand from 20% to 45% of the total market – driven by an audience that values authenticity, craftsmanship and experiential indulgence.
“With Revelry, we’re building more than a brand — we’re crafting a platform for Indian excellence in spirits. The focus is on quality, authenticity and global readiness. We believe India deserves its place on the map of world-class craft distillation,” adds Navvin Jaiin, Director, Revelry Distillery.
Design That Speaks the Language of the Forest
Vanaha officially launches on May 16, 2025, in Goa, the heartland of its inspiration and origin. Following its debut, it will gradually roll out across key metro markets, beginning with Karnataka. Priced at ₹2,400 for a 750ml bottle in Goa, Vanaha is presented in exquisitely crafted glass bottles adorned with illustrated labels that evoke its deep connection to nature. Cloaked in forest-green hues, the distinctive bottle silhouette conjures the mystique of a rare botanical elixir. At its heart lies an embossed Woodpecker, a striking symbol of the vitality of India’s forests and a tribute to Vanaha’s artisanal ethos.
From the iridescent green of the bottle to the copper foiling, embossed details and textured finishing, every design element is as refined and intentional as the gin within – an invitation to savour a truly immersive forest-to-bottle experience.
Vanaha Gin is not just a product, it is a movement. It invites connoisseurs to experience gin as a poetic form of self-expression and a mark of cultivated taste. With its earthy, woody, aromatic signature and depth in every sip, Vanaha is set to become a collectable for aficionados and a staple at refined celebrations across the world.
From Forests to Fine Spirits: The Journey of Vaniitha Jaiin
Vaniitha Jaiin is a pioneering force in India’s luxury beverage space, seamlessly blending a strong corporate background with an unshakable passion for wines and spirits. Born in Ambasamudram, Tamil Nadu, into a traditional family, her early years were shaped by personal tragedy and surrounded by nature – an experience that instilled resilience from a young age. By 13, she had launched entrepreneurial ventures to fund her education; by 19, she had become a top-performing life insurance agent.
Her corporate career spanned more than a decade, with leadership roles at leading firms such as Satyam, Ogilvy, Adecco, Flipkart and Edifecs, where she built deep expertise in marketing, brand strategy and consumer engagement. In 2010, breaking cultural expectations, she shifted paths to pursue her true calling – wines and spirits – while managing the responsibilities of motherhood, career and education.
Vaniitha immersed herself in formal study through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), London, and specialised in Luxury Brand Management at ESSEC Business School, Paris. Over the next seven years, she travelled extensively across Europe, the US and the UK, learning from global masters, judging international wine and spirit competitions, and becoming one of the few Indian professionals recognised as a globally travelled wine and spirits judge.
Her first venture, The Perfect Pour, was born from this journey, aiming to demystify fine beverages through education, curated tasting experiences, go-to-market strategies for alcobev brands, and immersive storytelling.
In 2017, during a soul-stirring visit to the forests of Pondicherry, Vaniitha experienced a moment of deep clarity. The name “Vanaha” was born – a fusion of vana (forest) and aha (a moment of realisation). Though not tied to a product at the time, the name lingered with her.
Years later, when she chose to create her first spirit – a gin – naming it Vanaha felt like destiny. Known for its botanical base, gin is naturally aligned with the spirit of the forest. With Vanaha, Vaniitha channels purity, curiosity and nature’s surprise into every bottle, setting out to transform India’s spirits industry with a brand rooted in both personal evolution and natural wonder.
Vaniitha Jaiin is more than a marketing strategist or luxury beverage connoisseur; she is a visionary leader reshaping how fine beverages are understood, experienced and appreciated. Her latest venture brings a bold new dimension to India’s spirits industry, marking her as a true trailblazer in the world of wine and craft distillation.
Navvin Jaiin: Bridging Bharat and India, One Business at a Time
Navvin Jaiin is a distinguished leader with over 24 years of experience in the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sector. His illustrious career spans leadership roles at some of the most prominent names in the industry, including Tata AIA Life, Bajaj Allianz, Turtlemint InsurTech, ICICI Prudential, and ABN Amro Bank. He has consistently demonstrated the ability to build and lead large, high-performing teams, often exceeding 2,000 members.
Renowned for his expertise in scaling start-ups, orchestrating turnarounds, and managing complex change initiatives, Navvin brings deep specialisation in P&L management, growth strategy, business development, financial and legal transactions, and risk mitigation.
A builder at heart, he has created businesses that connect deeply with the soul of Bharat –reaching remote corners of the country and aligning with the aspirations of millions. At the same time, he has developed sophisticated solutions for the ultra-high-net-worth segment, bridging the needs of India’s heartland and metropolitan elite with equal finesse. His ability to straddle both Bharat and India with authenticity and strategic clarity underscores his leadership vision.
With a career devoted to solving consumer challenges and driving operational excellence, Navvin now aims to redefine benchmarks in the industry. His next chapter is built on a foundation of innovation and quality, delivering products and solutions that reflect an uncompromising commitment to progress.