Global statistical data company, Statista, recently reported that "The gin industry is alive and well in the United Kingdom". With other spirits like vodka cultivating a more youthful, trendy image in a modern cocktail-focused market, gin had been losing ground. Yet now, ironically fuelled by traditional, refreshing cocktails like the good old Gin and Tonic, Tom Collins, Martini, Gin Paloma etc, there's renewed interest in 'mother's ruin'. With global gin volumes rising 1% in 2025 and 2% in 2024, the outlook looks somewhat positive. So, is there anything really new and different in this sector? Cue The Viceroy 1977 Monsoon Heat!
The House of The Viceroy 1977 is an ultra-premium spirits house and luxury independent bottler, uniting the precision of Scottish distilling with the spice of India. Their debut release is Founder's Edition 15-year-old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky (46.3% ABV), a rich, sophisticated and velvety smooth expression with juicy pear and stone fruit, honeyed oak, caramel, spice and dried fruit flavours.
However, the company recently held a launch event at The Kia Oval, principally to showcase their new ultra-premium gin, Monsoon Heat, awarded two Gold medals at The Global Spirits Masters 2026.
The evening's proceedings were overseen by TV presenter Matthew Walker and featured founder, CEO and cricket fan, Rakesh Rathod, and official brand ambassador, ex-England cricketer Chris Woakes.
Rakesh Rathod (l) and Chris Woakes (r)
For Chris, having dislocated his shoulder playing at The Kia Oval a year ago, it was an easy decision to get involved, as he explains. "At the time, I thought, what was going to be next? … Then opportunities like this arise to be involved with different brands. I was approached by Rakesh to be an ambassador for the brand. It was a bit of a no-brainer, really. My father was a big whisky man, but I never really followed in his footpath. So I always thought whenever this opportunity would arise, it would be a good thing to take up.
"Then Rakesh showed his passion for the brand, to move it forward and [there was] the link with India. Cricket, obviously, is huge in India. I've had many, many, many battles with India, not just at the Oval, and it just felt like a good link."
So where did the idea for creating an ultra-premium gin combining Scotland and India come from?
"In the last few years", says Rakesh, "if you look at the data, you will see that India is the biggest market for Scotch whisky, but they always lack a premium spirit. So that's where I thought we should introduce something unique, something premium."
The one factor he is keen to point out that he would not compromise on is quality. "It took nearly one and a half years to complete the recipe and it was prepared by one of the market experts in the UK."
There are only 1,400 bottles worldwide of this first batch of Monsoon Heat, reflecting its ultra-premium status and the elegant packaging is another indication of its meticulously crafted image and inherent quality.
Monsoon Heat is 42% ABV and uses six of the highest quality botanicals. High-grade juniper berries from Scotland form the backbone, elevated by hand-picked green cardamom from Kerala, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, wild angelica root and lemon zest.
However, what makes this gin truly unique is not just the sourcing of high-grade, hand-picked ingredients, but also the precise mixture of botanicals and the different methods used for distillation. "There's nothing like it, I promise you", emphasises Rakesh with evident pride. "It's a zero presence in the world. That's the gin I'm launching!"
Monsoon Heat is made in Scotland to a London Dry style, using a hybrid pot/column still with a combination of maceration and vapour basket methods for the botanicals.
Designed to be drunk neat as a sipping gin, it can also be used with tonics and mixers. "My first instruction to the person who was developing the recipe", notes Rakesh, "was that when you dilute it with water, I don't want it to get cloudy. I want it clear. Right now, if you take gin from any shelf and add water, it will become cloudy … but Monsoon Heat won't because of the quality and proportion of the botanicals and the alcohol level."
So what does Monsoon Heat smell and taste like?
👃 Immediately on the nose, the herbal, floral and citrus aspects stand out with piney note of juniper clearly present too, along with green cardamom, coriander, citrus zest, lemon blossom and a touch of aromatic peppercorns.
😋 The palate shows juniper, but not in an overly dominant way, balancing in perfect harmony with the distinctive coriander seed, cardamom spice and citrus oil character. There's a creamy, almost lactic or yoghurty quality, which adds softness and roundness with a hint of lemon verbena-like herbal brightness too.
Rakesh says that he wants people who drink this gin to "feel the monsoon heat", yet there's nothing aggressive here. The ABV of 42% is spot-on, as it allows the botanicals to shine without the gin ever feeling harsh, out of balance or giving an alcohol burn.
🍸 While ideal as a sipping gin, a good quality tonic with a citrus and spice edge, such as The Artisan Drinks Co. Yuzu Tokyo Tonic, would work well in a G&T. Alternatively, a Gimlet or Martini with a premium lime cordial or dry Vermouth would be an excellent cocktail option.
Distribution in the UK is yet to be finalised, but selected top independent retailers will be the likely channel within the next couple of months.
The second batch of this gin will contain another unique mix of botanicals, but details of this are closely guarded, so watch this space!
