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Indian distillery debuts spirit made with formerly banned flower
South Seas Distilleries has launched two spirits made using the mahua flower, a plant banned in India under British colonial rule, with one expression available only on allocation.
South Seas Distilleries, based in Maharashtra, India, has announced the introduction of Six Brothers 1922 Resurrection and Six Brothers Small Batch (Original) to its range of spirits.
Both spirits are made with mahua (madhuca longifolia), an Indian tropical tree also known as Mahura, Mhowra, Mahuva and Mohua based on where in India it is grown.
The plant, whose flower has traditionally been used to make a mahua spirit in India, was deemed a dangerous intoxicant that was a threat to public health and morality under British colonialism, leading to its ban. The Mhowra Act of 1892 prohibited the collection of mahua flowers and the production of this flower-based spirit during the colonial period. Many believe that the flower, which was traditionally used by tribal communities in the country, was banned in a bid to limit competition with European spirits imports.
Even after India gained independence in 1947 mahua remained classified as a low-quality, “dangerous” drink in the country. Tribal communities were denied the right to produce and sell it beyond traditional village markets.
South Seas Distilleries hopes to resurrect the heritage mahua spirit category in India via its two new releases.
Rupi Chinoy, creative director at South Seas Distilleries, said of the launch: “Many countries are known for their spirits, which are unique to their geography and culture and consumed worldwide. With Six Brothers, we want to showcase Indian exceptionalism and bring forward India’s own luxury heritage spirit that will make a mark on the global arena. With our family’s history, legacy, and craftsmanship, we can ensure Mahura can proudly stand on its own among world spirits.”
South Seas Distilleries harvests mahua from the surrounding forests, before drying and double-distilling the spirit in copper pot stills, also used to make Indian whisky.
Only 102 bottles of the 1922 Resurrection have been produced as a nod to the number of years since the distillery was first opened in 1922. The expression is available only by allocation.
The second expression, Six Brothers Small Batch, is double-distilled in copper pot stills and platinum-filtered and is available in all leading retail outlets in Mumbai. Six Brothers Small Batch will soon be available across Maharashtra, Goa and Haryana.
Hamavand Chinoy, director of South Seas Distilleries, said of the releases: “Our connection with the Mahura flower spans over a century. Six Brothers is more than a spirit; it’s a tribute to the craft my great-grandfather and his brothers began in 1922. This launch offers a taste of India’s heritage, bottled for today’s luxury connoisseurs while showcasing the true potential of this unique Indian floral spirit.”
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