~A premium craft rum distilled with local jaggery, aged in Portuguese Port Wine Casks, and finished with a delicate blend of spices.~

Nao Spirits, India’s pioneering Craft Gin distillers, proudly announce the launch of their latest creation, “Pipa – Rum de Goa,” a premium spiced rum that pays a heartfelt homage to the 450 years of cultural co-habitation between the Portuguese and local communities in Goa, shaping their landscape and culture as we all know and love today.

Derived from the Portuguese word for barrel, “Pipa” – this rum captures the essence of a seamless fusion between local flavours and Portuguese influences. Made in Goa, the body of this rum comes from Jaggery spirit undergoes distillation, and then matures for a full year in Ruby Port Wine casks imported from Portugal. As an ode to the three main spices that first drew Portuguese explorers to the Malabar Coast, the heart of this rum lies in the delicate blend of spices used to finish it – Black Pepper, Cinnamon, and Clove.

The decision to produce rum in India, the world’s leading sugarcane producer, was an intuitive choice, showcasing the country’s immense potential in crafting distinctive spirits. India has long been a brown spirits market, holding 97% of the enormous spirits segment, with a whopping 12.5% contribution from rum. While the majority of this segment lies in the mass-produced value segment, the real excitement comes from the Standard and Premium Segments, which are slated to grow at a CAGR of 46.5% and 21.1%, respectively, between 2022 and 2027, according to IWSR.

Anand Virmani, Nao Spirits’ co-founder and CEO, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We set the ball rolling in 2017 with the Craft Gin category, witnessing a premium growth from a 12,000-case industry to over 320,000 cases in just 5 years. Expecting sustained growth in the Gin sector, we’ve finally decided to venture into the eagerly awaited premium Rum category to showcase our understanding of craft spirits and local spices. After four years of refining the recipe and packaging, we are absolutely delighted with the results and cannot wait to share them with the expanding community of Craft Rum drinkers in the country.”

Tasting Notes: A rich and delicate spirit, toasted hazelnuts and figs on the nose with a smooth, intriguing palate like dark chocolate sprinkled with sea salt. A long and balanced finish rounds off finally with a whisper of black pepper and clove.

Priced at 3000,this limited-quantity rum, with its delicate balance of sweetness and spice, is perfect for sipping and serves as a great base for cocktails. Launched exclusively in the Goa market, Pipa stands as a testament to Nao Spirits’ commitment to quality and heritage.