India's Bold Step into the World of Vermouth
For too long, the Indian bar scene has relied on imported vermouths, often facing inconsistent availability and high costs. But a revolution is brewing, and it comes in the form of Davana Vermouth Indica, India's first homegrown vermouth, crafted with local ingredients and a focus on delivering a quality product for the professional bar.
Backstory
Davana Vermouth Indica isn't just a new product; it's the culmination of a family legacy and a shared vision. The distillery, originally established in the mid-1960s, transitioned to wine production in the 90s. However, in 2018, Adarsh Gadvi, the current owner, revived the spirits arm, leading to extensive contract distilling for numerous Indian brands. This period was crucial, providing a deep dive into the intricacies of botanical extraction and distillation. For Adarsh, whose father founded Naveen Distillery in 1999, this return to spirits was more than business; it was about addressing a gap in the evolving Indian market.
Adarsh recognised that while demand for premium, craft spirits was growing, the vermouth category remained dominated by expensive, often unavailable imports. He envisioned a uniquely Indian vermouth, crafted with local ingredients. This vision coalesced when he met Evgenii Savvateev, a master distiller with a lifelong passion for experimentation. Evgenii, who grew up observing his father's distilling practices, had been drawn to vermouth's complex nature and the creative possibilities it offered.
Together, Adarsh and Evgenii embarked on a two-year journey, experimenting with over 50 recipes. Their shared goal was to create a classic-style vermouth that reflected India's rich botanical heritage, not a mere imitation of European products. This hands-on approach, combining Adarsh's business acumen and Evgenii's technical expertise, led to the launch of Davana Vermouth Indica in 2024, India's first homegrown vermouth, and a testament to their dedication to quality and authenticity. The name 'Davana' was chosen deliberately, as it's the Hindi word for wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), a core ingredient in vermouth, and a nod to the company's commitment to Indian ingredients.
Production
Production begins with a base of Chenin Blanc wine sourced from Nashik, and utilises a hybrid extraction method. Botanicals are processed through either distillation in grape or neutral grain spirit, or maceration in spirit, depending on their individual characteristics. Each botanical, or small groups of related botanicals, undergoes individual extraction, with temperatures and durations tailored to optimise flavour preservation.. Delicate herbs and teas, for example, are macerated for short periods to prevent over extraction, while harder botanicals, such as cinnamon, require extended maceration, sometimes up to a week, to fully release their flavour compounds.
Following the extraction process, the individual botanical components are manually blended by the Master Distiller in stainless steel tanks. This manual blending is crucial for ensuring batch-to-batch consistency, accounting for the natural variability of the botanical ingredients. After blending, the vermouth rests, allowing the complex flavours to integrate. Production is carried out in batches of approximately 1000 litres.
The Liquid
Bianco
The Davana Bianco is built from 21 botanicals, all sourced within India. On the nose, it presents prominent vanilla and orange peel. The palate offers a subtle sweetness, with notes of candied orange, balanced by a relatively low acidity and a mid-length finish. The complexity of the Bianco is further enhanced by botanicals such as chamomile, orange blossom, dry apricot, orange and lemon peel and vanilla..
Rosso
In contrast, the Rosso features 23 Indian-sourced botanicals, presenting a richer and more complex profile. The nose is characterised by warm winter spices, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and apricot. On the palate, these spices develop further, particularly on the mid-palate, leading to a longer, more pronounced finish.
Usage
Davana Bianco works well on ice, with soda in a spritz, and in classic Bianco vermouth cocktails. Its balanced profile complements rather than overwhelms. Davana Rosso is designed for classic cocktails like the Negroni, Manhattan, and Boulevardier. Its richness and spice profile elevate these drinks, providing a distinct character. Both vermouths, due to their lower sugar content, allow the other cocktail ingredients to shine.
Availability
Currently, Davana Vermouth Indica is available in 750ml bottles, priced at ₹1,100, in Goa. Plans are underway to expand distribution, with releases scheduled for Mumbai, Pondicherry, and Bangalore in the coming months.
Wrap
Davana Vermouth Indica provides a locally produced, quality alternative to imported vermouths. It’s built for the professional bar, offering versatility and distinct flavour profiles in both the Bianco and Rosso expressions. It’s a vermouth designed to fill a need in the Indian market, while maintaining quality, and consistency.
