First Impressions
When Anand Virmani and Aparajita Ninan founded Nao Spirits in Goa, they made two gins: Hapusa for the premium market and Greater Than for everyday drinking. Greater Than was India's first craft London Dry Gin, launched in September 2017. The name carries a mathematician's symbol and a bartender's ambition — to be greater than what came before. Eight botanicals blend Macedonian juniper with Indian fennel, ginger, lemongrass and chamomile, designed specifically to work with Indian food and Indian tonic water. At roughly half the price of Bombay Sapphire in India, it democratised craft gin in a country of 1.4 billion people.
Tasting
The nose is clean juniper with fresh lemon peel — bright and inviting with Indian botanicals adding warmth. On the palate, a sweet touch of fennel arrives first, then clean juniper-forward London Dry structure with lemongrass adding an Indian citrus character. Ginger provides zing, coriander brings warmth, chamomile softens. The mid-palate develops subtle layers of fennel and angelica depth. The finish is ginger-driven — clean, composed, with Indian spices providing a warm conclusion and lemongrass lingering.
The Bottom Line
Greater Than earns a 7 for proving that craft gin does not need to be expensive to be excellent. Silver medal at the London Spirits Competition, praise from bartenders across India, and a price point that makes it the default choice in Mumbai and Delhi. Diageo India's acquisition of Nao Spirits in 2025 validated what Indian drinkers already knew: this is a seriously good gin at an unserious price. Best with Indian tonic and a wedge of lime, or in a Gimlet where the lemongrass and ginger really shine.
