Although Singapore is renowned for high finance, a great airport, nighttime Formula 1 racing, and its glamorous portrayal in “Crazy Rich Asians,” it lacked local gin and vodka distilleries. Recognizing this gap, Ashwin Sekaran, a former import/export business development manager, followed his passion for spirits. In August 2020, he launched Singapore Distillery with the concept of creating spirits that represented the unique flavors of Southeast and East Asia. Sekaran gained his formal education at the Institute of Brewing and Distilling in London, took specialized courses at Brewlab in Sunderland and the University of Adelaide, and apprenticed with distillers in England and Australia.

To start, Sekaran and his distilling team built a custom-designed, 500-liter copper still in Singapore’s Tagore industrial estate, experimenting until they perfected recipes representing the city-state’s cultural and culinary heritage. His gins and vodkas now focus on regional ingredients and botanicals like coconut and pandan, Indian spices, citrus, Japanese cucumbers, and Sakura blossoms. Singapore distillery offers ten different gins, most unique to the market and appealing to international gin drinkers seeking a new taste sensation.

Tasting Notes:

Merlion Gin
My tasting started with the distiller’s flagship gin. Named after the Merlion, Singapore’s mythical mascot with the body of a fish and the head of a lion, this gin competes with other dry English gins, perfect for a G&T with a hint of lime.

Coconut Pandan Gin
This gin was one of the most unique of the lineup. Imagine a gin with hints of the botanicals and fruits that make Malay and Thai cooking so delicious. The coconut essence isn’t overpowering but certainly adds a familiar Asian flavor. This gin is best enjoyed neat, with ice or a splash of soda.

Kyuri Gin
If you’ve ever visited Japan, you know how special the cherry blossom season—called Sakura–is to the Japanese. It symbolizes rebirth and is celebrated each year with festivals and special cuisine. Sekaran uses these blossoms to create a subtle but delicious ode to Japan.

Singapore Sling Gin
A tribute to the Raffles Hotel’s Long Bar creation, the Singapore Sling, this gin has all the classic cocktail flavors but without the overpowering sweetness and aftertaste. This gin is best enjoyed with tonic and a splash of pineapple juice to create a dry Singapore Sling..

Orange Grove Gin
Southeast Asia produces some of the sweetest oranges you’ll ever taste. This gin creates a citrus experience for a unique take on everything from a Gimlet to a Negroni. Serve it while watching the sunset on the beach or on a Saturday night with close friends.

Lime Garden Gin
Key limes and calamansi are often used in Malaysian and Singapore cooking, and for the tastiest sweet lime fizz, it is a drink best enjoyed on a muggy tropical day. This gin has hints of local limes throughout and is the perfect base for an evening G&T with a sprig of fresh mint.

Maharaja Gin
This gin captures the essence of India in a bottle. It has all the botanicals and spices you have tasted in Indian cuisine, from cardamom and cinnamon to saffron and nutmeg. Best served neat or with a dash of tonic, this gin is reminiscent of a milk chai served on the Jodhpur Express.

Ginseng Gin
Inspired by Ginseng wine, this gin infuses the prized medicinal root favored in Traditional Chinese medicine. It may not have wide appeal, but it will be a favorite of anyone who loves a dram of Ginseng wine in the evening before bed.

Ichigo Cameron Gin
Ichigo means strawberry in Japanese. This gin uses strawberries grown in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia to produce a very berry experience. With notes of fresh strawberry jam and a hint of pepper, this gin is perfect for fruit slushies or a new take on a gin fizz.

Stolen Roses Gin
Ever wonder what a bouquet of Valentine’s Day roses tastes like? Imagine a mellow, slightly sweet gin infused with real rose petals. For a boozy take on Bandung, a local drink made with rose cordial and condensed milk, mix Stolen Roses with milk and loads of ice. It’s perfect with spicy Malay or Thai food.

Remember to order your favorite gin cocktail with Singapore Distillery gins if you plan a trip to Singapore. They also make a few vodkas, including one called Hornbill, which has a delicious pineapple kick. A bottle of their gin purchased at major grocery stores, spirits shops, and online in Singapore runs about S$80 or about US$61. The brand is currently seeking export and duty-free agreements.