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Indri Indian Single Malt Review

Indri Single Malt comes from the house of Piccadilly Distilleries who also jointly brought us the Kamet Whisky. But Indri is now independently brought to you from the house of piccadilly and what makes this single malt special is that recently it won the top honours catapulting its demand amongst the favourites for consumers. So let’s taste and see how it is and if you like viewing video review then click above and enjoy watching the experience instead of reading it.

The price of this whisky is Rs. 5,100 in Maharashtra and it is much cheaper in some of the other States like Haryana, Goa, UP, Delhi and Bangalore at Rs. 3,100.

What’s in the Name?

Now you might be thinking what’s in this name Indri? It is very unique and different from what we have seen? So the name of the malt is based on Indriya, which are the five golden senses of our body like the smell, taste, touch, sight and sound and also on the name of the distillery based in Indri, Haryana.

Now there is another important thing about this malt, which is the word Trini – which denotes the word three, meaning 3 woods that have been used to mature this malt. Now what’s interesting is that the Kamet whisky was also matured using the same woods. These include ex- bourbon, ex-wine, and PX sherry casks and as we know these add a unique flavour to that blend. And like Kamet this also comes from Piccadily’s Distillery based in Kurukshetra. Indri has been developed by two people, a Master Blender, Surrinder Kumar and a Master Distiller, Graeme Bowie, who was also one of our judges at the Ambrosia Awards this year. They both come from a rich experience and combined they have the capability of blowing your senses away.

Now this malt is made from six-row barley and then distilled in an onion head pot still and then maturing it in 3 casks that adds a unique flavour to the blend.

Packaging

But before we taste it let’s take a look at the packaging and at first look although this is a 750ml bottle it really looks tall and makes you feel like a 1 ltr bottle. The colours are nice soothing beige with a slight gold on the outside with the words Product of India beaming loud and clear. You do have the signature of the blenders as well alongwith all the necessary info.

On the inside it is you have the label and also the packaging material and colour that looks familiar like the Kamet whisky. What we liked is also that there is a QR code that takes you to the dedicated Indri Page. I wish more manufacturers would do this so that the consumer can get more info on the product.

Nosing

Now let’s get to the nosing and at the first instance you get a little bit of those spices, some sweet notes, surely some wood as well. The spirit does seem refined and also doesn’t really hit you hard, which is always a good thing.

Tasting

The spirit does feel really smooth and relaxed. There is a hint of that nutty, caramelly flavour with a little spice. You do get sweet savoury fruit as well which is nice and balanced. Not something that is over powering or over bearing.

Kamet Whisky Tasting

Since we also tasted Kamet Whisky recently, we did a quick taste of that as well to see the difference honestly. Now you do get a nice flavour profile and also those notes of the sweetness, spiciness.

Conclusion

Indri is nice and you can get the sense of the consistency as well from these, which means that there is a method that has been followed while making these malts. And finally what do we think about Indri? It is really good. It is balanced, nice, smooth and also consistent in delivering the taste it does, which naturally explains why it won the accolades. Is it worth Rs. 5,100 in Maharashtra. Not really, especially since you can get it for Rs. 3,100 at other places. So if you can get your hands on this outside of Maharashtra then surely it is something that you should taste because there is something there that will surely satisfy your taste buds.

Barents Whisky Review

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Barents whisky comes from Rock and Storm Distilleries and the reason for its name is that it is dedicated to famed Dutch Arctic explorer of the 16th century, Williem Barentsz, who searched the Northeast Passage From Europe To Asia. And Yes it is Williem and not William. Now this is available in few States currently like Delhi for a price of this is Rs. 840. It is also available in Uttrakhand, Punjab, Jammu and Telangana and will soon be available in Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and CSD stores as well. There is a specific reason why this was made in this article we will decode that. And incase if you like viewing video reviews then click above and check that out as well.

So this is a small-batched distilled whisky that was made with an inspiration as a premium whisky. Now of course this is very competitively priced and it competes with the likes of Blenders, 8 PM and so on in the premium Indian whisky market. Infact the idea behind this whisky was to benchmark its packaging and give the feel to the consumer which is on the lines of popular scotches and single malts. And to achieve this the makers followed Williem Barents discovery voyage and his enthusiasm and zeal that led to the creation of this blend.

Now of course targeting products into the premium market has become the go to thing for most makers as the Indian consumer is now looking for better experiences. Infact the premium market segment has expanded rapidly and is growing faster than any other segments of the beverage industry.

Nosing

In terms of nosing you have the aroma of sweet spices with a hint of that floral hit. It is also smoky, you surely getting that peat.

Tasting

In terms of tasting you get that Nutty and Toffee flavour, that slight fruity punch also hits you in the middle and it ends with a smoky aroma. The finish is very smooth and you can understand that it is being made with good malts.

Conclusion

So how do we find the Barrents whisky? Honestly for a price of Rs. 880 we think it is able to give you a decent experience. But we love the fact that they have been ambitious and looked at possibilities to do new or different things. So if you are a regular at using products in this price bracket or category then we think there is enough here to atleast taste this product.

Single Reserva Whisky Review

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Single Reserva Whisky is made by India Glycols and this is the company’s first product in the semi-premium whisky market. They have another product in the vodka category called Amazing Vodka (which you can view by clicking on the link) as well which comes in different flavours as well. And if you enjoy watching video reviews then you can click above and watch the video review.

So this whisky is priced around Rs. 600 in Chandigarh and currently it is available in UP , Delhi , Uttrakhand and Chandigarh. It will soon be available in other states like Rajasthan, Punjab, HP and Mumbai and of couse the prices are expected to be higher at that point. This whisky positions itself in the popular/semi-premium category between Blenders Pride and Royal Stag, both of which are very popular Millionaire brands. Which means that Single Reserva has its task cut out for itself right from its launch phase.

But if you are thinking that India Glycols is a new company who might not know much about the industry, then you would be wrong. Infact chemicals are the primary cornerstone of India Glycols Ltd business and as we know that ENA, Sugar, Chemicals, all of these are by-product that lead to liquor, which means it was only natural that at some point the company would foray into this business. And the company is a massive player in the country liquor market with its popular brand ‘Bunty and Bubbly’, which sells a whopping 1.32 lakh cases a month. We have done a full length interview with the team when these products were launched, so do check that out as well.

So this whisky is manufactured at two different plants, one is at IGLs Kashipur plant which caters to all the States and the other is at their Gorakhpur plant that caters only to the UP market.

When it comes to the Single Reserva Whisky, the new concept of blending has been made with the help and research of none-other than the legendary Peter J Warren and you can see his signature as well on the bottle as well. And if you don’t know this name, then Warren is credited with creating some of the malts that go into creating some of the world’s highest selling whisky’s like Johnnie Walker and J&B. But the actual blend of the whisky is made my Surrinder Kumar, who is already a known name in the industry in India.

Packaging

If we talk about the packaging then a lot of thought has gone into this and I think the brand is trying to provide a premium experience to the consumer at a semi-premium price bracket. The bottle is well designed and looks great. Deep drawn long caps, typical Single Malt bottle design and excellent colour scheme of labels. Brilliant branding on Labels and Exotic Canister packing.

Tasting Notes

In terms of the tasting you surely get that peaty and smoky Malt notes. Like a lot of the Indian Malts that we have tasted recently you get that nutty and honey, sweet notes as well.

Conclusion

So what do we think about the Single Reserva Whisky? Well for a price tag of Rs. 600 in Chandigarh, it does provide you with enough to come back to that bottle again. There is some amount of mystery to it for you to enjoy. So does it serve the objective of India Glycols of providing a premium experience in a semi-premium price bracket? We think it does.

Sterling Reserve B10 Whisky Review

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Sterling Reserve B10 whisky is made by ABD, which is Allied Blenders and Distilleries, the largest manufacturer of IMFL spirit by volume. The whisky is priced at Rs. 1,350 in Maharashtra and it is available almost Pan India. The reason why this whisky is called ‘B10’ is because it is supposed to give the experience of 10 different flavours to the consumer. If you are more of a video person then you can check out the video review on top as well.

Before we start talking about Sterling Reserve let’s take a look at ABD. So ABD is a very renowned name in the industry and has been in the market for decades now. One of their best- known millionaire brands is Officers Choice, which also is a category leader in that segment. For ones who don’t know what a millionaire brand is, millionaire brand means that it sells more than a million cases in a year, which isn’t an easy feat to achieve.

Now what is interesting is that this is also a millionaire brand which means it automatically puts pressure on it to taste good. This whisky is placed in the same segment as Blenders Pride and Antiquity Blue. So basically, this is positioned in a category where you have some of the best premium and highest selling Indian whisky’s honestly. This whisky comes in two variants, B7 which is positioned in the popular category and of course this, which is the B10. If we talk about the blend of this whisky, then there isn’t much clarity about the age of the malts that have been used in this. But this uses imported Scotch malts, which means malts that have aged at least 3-year’s have been used. This is combined with the Indian grain spirits with the Scotch Malts used from different barrel origin including bespoke bourbon oak casks. Naturally there is neutral spirits that are used as well in this since it has Indian grain spirits as well. Now this whisky is also chill-filtered, which means it won’t change colour when you add ice or water to it.

Packaging

If we talk about the packaging of the brand, then it is very clear that ABD wanted to create an impact since it is a tough market and they have spent a considerable time on this packaging as well. In comparison with blenders and antiquity it is the only brand that comes in a canister, which shows how serious they are about this category. In terms of packaging, it gives you a feel of the premiumness like others as well. They’ve gone with the deep Purple as the base colour and I think it could be coz they want to stand out on the shelf and they’ve managed to achieve that as well to some extent. In terms of the bottle as well it is nice and reminiscent of Indian whisky bottles.

Nosing

In terms of the nosing you get some honeyed sweetness, nuttiness of the barley and a fruity and heathery nose.

Tasting

The ABV is 42.8% and it gives you that punch as you taste it. The flavours of oak are clear and also a sweet flavour also comes from the whisky. Although it feels like honey but it is more of vanilla. There is a fruit as well which I think it berries. The finish is meduim-longish and honestly it is difficult to identify 10 flavours honestly but the whisky does seem smooth.

Conclusion

So what do we think about the Sterling Reserve B10 whisky? For a price of Rs. 1,350 in Maharashtra it is already a very popular brand. It gives you that mix of nice flavours, smooth refines for the price and you really can understand why the people who have this brand swear by it and won’t touch anything else. It is not something that you can have on the rocks naturally like most of the whisky’s in this segment. But with water or a mixer of your choice is suited. Maybe you can try it next when you are going to have any whisky’s in this segment and let us know how it is in the comments.

Neha Gupta Launches Second Restaurant – Nineteen78

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Architect, Interior Designer, Restaurateur, and Founder of Beyond Designs Bistro, Neha Gupta has launched a second restaurant. The new culinary offering is titled, Nineteen78, hinting at the classical influence of the cuisine on offer.

Propelled by the success of Beyond Designs Bistro, Neha takes assured steps to expand her culinary brand. The new restaurant is located at the popular Select CITYWALK, New Delhi.

Having mastered the art of offering a carefully crafted couture experience with the Bistro, she has now launched a prêt affair with Nineteen78. From a relaxed and elegant dining affair at the Bistro that is every bit cherishable, her patrons now have a chance to grab an equally memorable meal at the new restaurant.

The 48-seater multi-cuisine restaurant presents a delectable mix of European, Asian and Coastal cuisines from Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The menu sees the trained chefs revisiting certain classic dishes while also serving up some modern experimental fare. From Caesar and Fattoush salads with a twist to Chicken in spinach sauce with Orzo salad and grilled vegetables; from Sweet and spicy Hong Kong ginger fish to Caramelized dry Vietnamese chicken, and prawn linguini, Sliced lamb in hoisin sauce, there are several finger-licking options to choose from. Raspberry pie with vanilla ice cream, apple crumble & ice cream Chocolate devil cake, and many more make up the dessert menu. The restaurant also has a bar attached, offering a complete dining experience.

There is also an extensive breakfast menu with healthy as well as indulgent selections. The interiors designed by Neha and her husband Sachin Gupta of Beyond Designs, are a youthful mélange of contemporary styles. The boutique vibe of the restaurant is accentuated with colourful and quirky art and a fun bunch of lights made of steel and fiber. The marble tables with metal cast bases are paired with retro-style wooden chairs and sofa seating.

While embracing a contemporary sensibility, the restaurant and the gastronomic experience it offers retain a vintage soul.

Amazing Vodka Review

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The Vodka market in India hasn’t been experiencing high level of growth for few years now. But while the regular Vodka category has witnessed a flat line, the flavours category has been witnessing good growth in the industry and nearly accounts for 60% of the overall vodka sales. Precisely the reason why you see manufacturers offering flavours of their vodka. So it is only natural that when India Glycols must’ve chosen to launch their vodka, it would be in two flavours, Green Apple and Orange.

If you remember then recently, we reviewed the Single Reserva Whisky which was also from India Glycols. The price of this product is Rs. 750 in UP is also available in Uttarakhand, Chandigarh and Rajasthan. There are also plans to take it National this year. With its price this Vodka is in the same category as some of the highest selling brands like Magic Moments and similar to Single Reserva, this vodka is also made at the company’s Kashipur and Gorakhpur plants.

Now Amazing Premium Vodka has been developed with the help of Raju Vaziraney who has been in the industry for many years and has helped in developing a lot of brands. This is a Grain-based Vodka which is infused with imported enhancers that have been brought from Germany. As you might knoe that enhancers are added flavours that provide the spirit with a premium feel. This is common in the industry and the flavoured vodka market. But since these are imported from Germany, it also is the distinguishing factor for this vodka as compared to the other vodkas made in India. The vodka is also 5-times filtered to make it smooth.

Packaging

Vodka packaging is always more bolder since it needs to be attractive to appeal to the youth and women. Amazing Vodka comes packed in a frosted bottle with four colour printing and the bottle features an illustration of Mermaid suggestive of fantasy. What’s also clear is the flavour with the green colour for the label and the caps. We like the printing on the bottle, it feels premium and nice and also that the word amazing is embossed on the bottle.

Nosing

In terms of nosing you get the subtle green apple flavour, which isn’t very overbearing. With a 37.5% ABV the vodka isn’t exactly very strong. But the filtration process ensures that you can nose that the spirit is refined and smooth. The aroma is also very distinctive and crispy.

Tasting

With the first sip itself you can get the flavour. The spirit is smooth and it feels premium, especially since they’ve used imported enhancers. The finish is medium-longish and there isn’t any afterburn as it trickles down. There is a slight hint of peppery note in the taste to give some spice to it. But again, it isn’t overbearing.
We also added a mixer to it to allow the vodka to open up a little and see what it does. Once added it makes the spirit even more milder, so may be as a tip: don’t add too much of the mixer when you choose to drink it.

Conclusion

So what is it that we think about the Amazing Premium Vodka. For a price of Rs. 750 for a bottle it is clear that it is targeted to users that are looking for good value for money. And of course you do have popular brands in that category already. When mixed with something that you like as you usually consume vodkas then you might feel really at home when it comes to this vodka. But our suggestion would be to not mix it with something very sweet since green apple flavour already has a hint of sweetness. But all in all, it has everything that you want from a vodka at this price point and it surely is worth a try.

The much-awaited Resvera Lounge is now Open!

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Nasik is recognized as the “Wine Capital of India” and is situated in the Western Ghats, on the banks of the River Godavari. Its climate and scenic beauty attract a lot of tourists from around the country as well as overseas. People visit Nashik for a tranquil experience which is perfect for families and friends to spend time with good food and wine. The socialising aspect is a vital part of the wine tour and tasting. Apart from weekend groups, there is also a strong interest among overseas travellers in following wine trails in India. Their goal is to taste Indian wine after having tasted wines from established regions around the world for years. The vineyards offer more than wine tasting. They also provide the opportunity to meet the winemakers and learn about the winemaking process.

Resvera Lounge with unique Jamun wines in its bouquet is opening its doors for a similar experience and to boost Wine Tourism in Maharashtra.

Jamun fruit forms the core of Resvera Wine, a fruit wine made with a focus on creating a delicious flavour. Creating a wine that is consumed and enjoyed 365 days a year is an ultimate goal. This makes it a wholesome gift for each and every wine lover around the world. Resvera is committed to responsible winemaking and produces magical juice from organically sourced Jamun fruit from the Jungles of Maharashtra. Resvera is also responsible for empowering the tribal community of regions where the Jamun fruit is extracted, giving them an opportunity to earn a living. A fusion of Jamun fruit combined with divine smoothness, Resvera creates a rich, luxurious taste that enhances your alluring lifestyle.

This wine’s enticing aroma makes it a perfect pairing with most meals. Take a swirl, breathe the scent into your veins, and taste the magical purple liquid that makes you want to drink more. Resvera Winery creates its wines with a holistic philosophy and believes in giving back to nature.

The taste of Jamun is the biggest USP of the product, since it is a crowd-pleaser, and offers something special that complements the Indian palate very well. Jamun fruit would also be a USP due to its health benefits. It is a rich source of nutrients, is anti-diabetic, and purifies the blood. The brand’s intention wasn’t to become an alcohol brand, but rather to give people a delicious experience. “An elegant and tastefully-done lounge is set beautifully in the midst of the grape city. With Resvera Lounge, we aim to bring a world of contrasts and paint the town with Jamun. A lounge thoughtfully created to give you a one of a kind experience that offers a beautiful ambience. When the sun goes down and the city lights go up, sip on the World’s First Jamun Wine complemented by exquisite food,” says Komal Piyush Somani, Co-founder & Director, Resvera Winery.

“Nashik has been recognised as the Wine Capital of India, and the history of wine in India traces back to as many as 5000 years. Under the one district one product scheme, Govt of India recognised wine as the main product for Nashik. indigenous fruits like Jamun, Mulberry, Jackfruit, Indian Gooseberry, Apple, and Mango have their mention in Scriptures like Rigveda, these fruits have proven health benefits.

There is a need to make these native Indian fruits popular and have a global footprint of the same in the present times. Resvera is processing some of these native Indian fruits and making wine from these fruits. We need to promote these made-in-India wines of fruits that are native to our country” said Nikhil Khode, Co-founder & and Head of Production. “The opening of the Resvera Lounge will make sure that Nashik is a testimony to the age-old traditions of making wine from not only grapes but other native fruits of India which are well understood to the Indian pallet,” continued.

Lastly, Dr Neeraj Agarwal – Director, added, “Every glass of wine enjoyed by the Resvera lovers at this new Lounge will also result in the plantation of few Jamun Trees in the reserved areas. So far Resvera team and all the tribal people associated with Resvera have planted more than 1 lakh trees in the last six years. Creation of this beautiful Resvera lounge is to give a different experience of fruit wines to the wine lovers and our first offering is world’s first Jamun wine.”

With the inauguration of the tasting room at The Cobble Street, Gangapur-Savargaon Road, Nashik, Resvera aims at enhancing the wine experience for its audience. The tasting room reflects the same philosophy that governs Resvera Wines. They are also keen to partner with players in other parts of the country to start such dedicated Wine Lounge of Resvera.

Grey Goose and Martini Cocktails

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Grey Goose and Martini bring you the perfect way to cut through the winter chills and get in the holiday spirit with these perfect-for-winter cocktails. Bask in the winter sun with a Grey Goose Aperitivo Espresso with orange zest. Precede lunch with a Dry Apple Martini and enjoy the benefits of an apple a day all while keeping the seasonal gloom away! Relish cocktail hour with a Grey Goose Old-Fashioned on the rocks, and see for yourself why this oldest cocktail has stood the test of times. Keep the festivities alive even when the temperature drops.

APERITIVO ESPRESSO

A delightful mid-day aperitif! Coffee and vodka meet tonic water and orange zest to give it the freshness necessary to brighten up any afternoon.

Glass

Wine Glass

Garnish

Orange Zest

Occasion

Aperitif, Brunch

Ingredients

1 part Grey Goose Vodka

1 part Unsweetened Coffee

Tonic Water

Orange Zest

Method

Build in wine glass in this order: Grey Goose Vodka, coffee, tonic water, orange zest

GREY GOOSE OLD FASHIONED

As one of the oldest cocktails in the world. It’s easy to see why it has stood the test of time. Nowtry it with a simple Grey Goose Vodka twist instead of whiskey.

Glass

Rocks

Garnish

Orange Zest

Occasion

Aperitif, Cocktail Hour, Digestif

Ingredients

50 ml Grey goose Vodka

2 tsp Demerara Brown Sugar

Dash of Hot Water

Dash of Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Orange Zest

Method

1 Add the sugar and water to a rocks glass, then stir to dissolve.

2 Add orange zest.

3 Slowly trickle in Grey Goose and cubed ice, piece by piece, stirring throughout.

4 Top with cubed ice to serve.

MARTINI DRY APPLE

Ingredients

2 parts Martini Extra Dry

¼ part apple juice

1/3 part Manzana Verde

1/8 part apple syrup

2 tsp caster sugar

Juice of half a lemon

Half a green apple

Method

Shake all the ingredients with cubed ice then double strain into a chilled martini cocktail glass. Garnish.

Garnish

Apple slice

Glass

Martini cocktail glass

Background

A modern interpretation of the Apple Martini

Pass Code Hospitality expanding footprints

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One of the original speakeasies’ which serves finest cocktails in all of India, and all you need to know is the passcode to enjoy them. Rakshay Dhariwal founder and MD speaks to Lopamudra Ganguly about his plans of expansion post pandemic.

PCO stands for ‘pass code only’, and as you may have guessed, this PCO is the place to go in Delhi and Gurgaon for perfect classic cocktails, as they skip no steps. PCO, ATM, SAZ, Jamun are all such outlets. Customers especially love their barrel-aged cocktail line (think Manhattans and Negronis), which truly shows off passion for their craft in spades, as does their rotating list of specials. To sweeten the pot, they also serve a tasty menu full of bar bites, and we can’t think of a better place to spend a night in the capital post pandemic. Excerpts from the interview.

Please tell us about your company and the concept behind it?

Pass Code Hospitality is a boutique food and beverage firm that specialises in creating experience-driven, fun-dine restaurants and bars. We started our company in 2012 with cocktail bar PCO, which was the first speakeasy in the country. Since then we have gone on to start the “first” of many types of restaurants – ATM a private member’s supper club, Ping’s, a healthy asian street food restaurant, SAZ, a new-orleans inspired American Brasserie, and Jamun, an Indian restaurant serving food from all over the country. Our motto is to bring new dining concepts to our patrons.

Tell us something which is special about your company?

We are known for our boutique brands and we make sure that each of our brands is different and truly representative of the product while maintaining very high standards for food, beverage and service. We are fortunate that each of these brands has grown into a market leader in its segment.

What was your marketing strategy in this Covid situation?

There was not a lot we could do – and the sentiment during the first lockdown vs the second lockdown was very different. In the first one we ran online auctions of experiences in our restaurants and had tied-up with a charity partner for this. But during the second lockdown, we were simply trying to help by providing food packages including rice, oil, salt, daal, wheat, sugar, soap and other basic necessities and distributing them to those in need.

What were the strategies to keep up the brand image in the consumers’ mind?

Most of our marketing efforts were centered around delivery and encouraging consumers to order directly with us. Due to the financial pressures of the lockdown, offering discounts and promotions was out of the question – instead we tried to focus on the quality and high standard that one can expect from dining at any PCH outlet.

What are your present projects running?

We are fortunate that all of our restaurants that were running pre-pandemic in Delhi, Goa and Kolkata are still operating today. We hope that as the months progress, footfalls keep increasing. We have been encouraged by the response we have seen since the second opening and actually have planned in the near future.

Are your expansion plans part of your post Covid revival?

Absolutely! We think food and beverage will bounce back in a big way. At the end of the day, people want to go out, meet their friends and feel connected to the larger world around them. To that end, we have very exciting plans to bring our brands to Mumbai and further expand in Goa.

Tell us something about your future plans?

We are just about to launch a version of SAZ in Goa called SAZ on the Beach, a beautiful beach bar and restaurant with spectacular sunset views. We are also opening Ping’s Cafe Orient, PCO and SAZ Cafe in Kamala Mills in Mumbai and SAZ American Brasserie in Jio World Drive BKC.

Roku Gin Review

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In this video we review Roku Gin from Beam Suntory which comes from Japan. Roku stands for the word 6 in Japanese and it pays tribute to the 6 special botanicals that come from Japan.

The gin is available in Mumbai for Rs. 6,500 making it one of the most expensive gins in the market. We have reviewed and tasted the gin which contains the ABV value of 43%.

This video is for entertainment purpose only and the magazine, channel and the host do not promote alcohol consumption.

Click here to watch the full video.