greater than gin review (2026) - india's best value craft gin?

tldr: i haven’t tried greater than gin, but the expert verdict is clear: this is the best value gin in india. at rs 700-1000 for a 750ml bottle, greater than delivers a clean, juniper-forward london dry gin with indian botanical touches that reviewers consistently praise. it costs half of bombay sapphire and a third of stranger & sons while still making an excellent G&T. if you’re getting into gin or building a home bar, this is where most experts say you should start. rating: 8/10 (based on expert reviews).

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i haven’t tried greater than gin. this review is research-backed, built from expert tasting notes, bartender opinions, and the indian craft spirits community’s consensus. i’ll be clear about what’s from experts and what’s my analysis throughout.

greater than matters because it changed the economics of good gin in india. before greater than and the craft gin wave, your options were basically gordon’s (cheap, mediocre), bombay sapphire (premium, solid), and beefeater (barely available). if you wanted good gin, you paid import-brand prices. there was no middle ground.

nao spirits launched greater than as one of india’s first craft gins around 2017, and priced it aggressively at rs 700-1000. that’s less than half of bombay sapphire. less than a third of stranger & sons. and from what every reviewer i’ve read says, greater than doesn’t taste like a budget compromise. it tastes like a legitimately well-made gin that happens to be affordable. that combination of quality and price is why greater than has become the default recommendation when someone asks “what gin should i buy in india?“

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greater than at a glance

detail	info
brand	greater than london dry gin
type	london dry gin
ABV	42.8%
maker	nao spirits
origin	india (launched ~2017)
botanicals	juniper, coriander, fennel, chamomile, lemongrass, citrus, ginger, angelica
price (750ml)	rs 700-1000
best for	G&T, cocktails, home bar default
rating	8/10 (expert consensus)

nao spirits was co-founded by anand virmani and aparajita ninan with the mission to build indian craft spirits brands. greater than was their first product, followed by hapusa himalayan dry gin (a more premium offering with himalayan juniper). the company name “nao” means “new” in hindi, which fits. greater than was genuinely new. an indian craft gin at a price point that made craft accessible to everyone, not just people willing to pay rs 2000+ for a bottle.

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the brand story: why greater than matters

the name “greater than” is a mathematical symbol (>), which the brand uses as an ethos: always greater than average, greater than expected. it’s a clever positioning that the product actually lives up to, based on what reviewers say.

greater than was one of the earliest entrants in the indian craft gin movement. before it, the indian gin market was dominated by imports and one or two budget domestic options. the idea that you could make a quality gin in india, with indian botanicals, at an indian price point, was relatively novel. stranger & sons from goa was doing something similar at a higher price point. greater than brought the craft approach to a mass-market price.

the botanical selection is deliberately indian. while juniper remains the backbone (as required for london dry classification), the addition of coriander seeds, fennel, and lemongrass gives greater than a profile that’s designed to work with indian food and indian tonic water. based on reviews, these botanicals come through clearly without overpowering the juniper foundation.

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greater than tasting notes: what experts say

since i haven’t tasted greater than myself, here’s what reviewers and bartenders consistently report.

nose

experts describe a clean, inviting nose. juniper leads, which is what you want from a london dry gin. behind the juniper, reviewers pick up lemon zest, fresh coriander, and a subtle herbaceous quality from the chamomile and lemongrass. the nose is described as “bright” and “fresh” rather than heavy or botanical-forward. one reviewer noted hints of fennel and a dry, almost earthy undertone from the angelica root.

palate

on the palate, greater than delivers balanced juniper with citrus brightness. the coriander adds warmth and a slight spice. lemongrass contributes a fresh, almost grassy note that lifts the spirit. the fennel is subtle, providing a faint anise quality that rounds out the mid-palate. the mouthfeel is described as smooth for the ABV (42.8%), without harsh alcohol burn. multiple reviewers note that it tastes “cleaner” and more refined than you’d expect at this price point.

finish

the finish is medium-dry with lingering juniper and a gentle warmth from the ginger. it’s not aggressive or burning. reviewers consistently praise the clean, dry finish that makes you want another sip. there’s a slight citrus aftertaste that fades pleasantly.

the expert summary

the consensus on greater than is remarkably consistent across reviews: this is a well-made gin that delivers more than its price suggests. it’s not the most complex or layered gin you’ll ever try. stranger & sons has more going on. imported gins like hendrick’s or tanqueray no. ten offer more sophistication. but for the price, greater than is hard to beat. it does the london dry thing properly, adds enough indian character to be interesting, and finishes clean.

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how to drink greater than gin

based on bartender recommendations and expert reviews.

gin and tonic (the essential serve)

greater than was designed to make a great G&T, and that’s where it shines. the recommended serve:

• 60ml greater than gin
• 120-180ml tonic water (schweppes, fever-tree, svami, or sepoy)
• lots of ice (fill the glass)
• garnish with a lime wedge or lemon wheel
• optional: a sprig of fresh coriander or a thin slice of cucumber

the G&T is where greater than’s botanical profile opens up best. the tonic water’s quinine bitterness complements the juniper, and the carbonation lifts the lemongrass and citrus notes. based on reviews, greater than with a good indian tonic (like svami or sepoy) is one of the best value drinks you can make at home.

gimlet

equal parts greater than gin and fresh lime juice, shaken with ice, strained into a coupe glass. the citrus in greater than works naturally with the lime. simple, classic, effective.

gin and soda

for a lighter, lower-calorie option, greater than with soda water and lime is refreshing and lets you taste the gin more clearly than tonic does. good for summer afternoons.

negroni

greater than’s juniper-forward profile holds up in a negroni (equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, campari). it’s not a premium negroni gin, but at rs 700-1000, it makes the cocktail accessible for home bartending.

what NOT to do

don’t drown greater than in fruit juice or sugary mixers. at this quality level, you’re wasting the botanical profile if you can’t taste it. and avoid cheap, flat tonic water. a good tonic makes or breaks a G&T, regardless of what gin you use.

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greater than price in india (2026)

greater than is one of the most affordable quality gins in india. prices vary by state.

greater than 750ml price by state

image: cask cartel

state	750ml price	notes
goa	rs 600-800	cheapest state
delhi	rs 700-900	good availability
karnataka	rs 750-950	bangalore market
maharashtra	rs 800-1000	mumbai/pune
telangana	rs 750-950	hyderabad moderate
kerala	rs 800-1000	beverages corporation
rajasthan	rs 700-950	varies by city
west bengal	rs 750-950	moderate
tamil nadu	rs 800-1000	TASMAC

the price story: at rs 700-1000, greater than sits in a unique price bracket. it’s twice the price of rock bottom options like blue riband (which isn’t really gin). but it’s half the price of bombay sapphire and a third of stranger & sons. in the gin world, this is the sweet spot where quality and affordability meet.

180ml miniature: where available, the 180ml greater than costs rs 200-300. it’s a good way to try before committing to a full bottle.

prohibition note: not available in bihar (prohibition since 2016) and gujarat.

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greater than vs the competition

this is where greater than’s value proposition becomes obvious.

greater than vs bombay sapphire

image: cask cartel

feature	greater than	bombay sapphire
price (750ml)	rs 700-1000	rs 1500-2200
ABV	42.8%	47%
botanicals	9 (indian accented)	10 (vapour-infused)
taste	juniper-forward, citrus, lemongrass	clean, citrus, floral
best serve	G&T with lime	G&T with lime
origin	india	UK (brewed locally varies)

bombay sapphire is a better gin. it has more refinement, a more delicate botanical profile, and the vapour infusion technique gives it a smoothness that column distillation can’t quite match. but is it twice as good? reviewers consistently say no. greater than at rs 700-1000 gets you 85-90% of the bombay sapphire experience at 50% of the price. for everyday G&Ts and home cocktails, greater than makes more financial sense. save bombay sapphire for when you want to impress. for the full bombay sapphire review, see my detailed breakdown.

greater than vs stranger & sons

image: cask cartel

feature	greater than	stranger & sons
price (750ml)	rs 700-1000	rs 2000-3000
ABV	42.8%	42.8%
character	classic london dry	complex, indian spiced
botanicals	juniper, coriander, lemongrass	gondhoraj lime, mango, pepper, nutmeg
best for	everyday drinking, value	special occasions, impressive cocktails

stranger & sons is objectively a more interesting gin. the gondhoraj lime and mango give it a uniquely indian character that nothing else replicates. it’s won international awards and is widely considered india’s best craft gin. but at 3x the price of greater than, it’s a different purchase decision. greater than is the gin you keep stocked. stranger & sons is the gin you bring out when someone asks “what’s a good indian gin?“

greater than vs gordon’s

image: cask cartel

gordon’s is cheaper (rs 500-700 in most states), but the quality gap is significant. gordon’s is one-dimensional, with a basic juniper note and not much else. greater than has actual botanical complexity. the rs 100-200 difference is absolutely worth paying. if you’re currently drinking gordon’s, upgrading to greater than is the single best quality-of-life improvement you can make in your gin drinking.

for the complete gin landscape, check best gin brands in india and best gin under rs 1000.

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building a home bar: where greater than fits

if you’re setting up a home bar in india, greater than should be your default gin. here’s why:

cost efficiency: at rs 700-1000, you can stock greater than without worrying about the bottle running out at a house party. try that with a rs 2500 bottle of stranger & sons and every G&T feels expensive.

versatility: greater than’s clean london dry profile works in every gin cocktail. G&T, gimlet, negroni, gin fizz, tom collins. it’s not the best gin for any single cocktail, but it’s good enough for all of them.

guest-friendly: the clean, balanced flavor profile works for people who love gin and people who are trying gin for the first time. it doesn’t scare anyone with unusual botanicals.

pair it with: a quality tonic water (svami, fever-tree, or even schweppes), fresh limes, and ice. total cost for an excellent G&T at home: about rs 100-150. that’s what you’d pay for a soft drink at a premium bar.

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who should buy greater than gin?

buy greater than if:

• you want a quality gin at the best possible price
• you’re building a home bar and need an everyday gin
• you drink G&Ts regularly and don’t want to spend rs 1500+ per bottle
• you’re new to gin and want to try a proper london dry without overpaying
• you host house parties where gin disappears fast

skip greater than if:

• you want the most complex, interesting gin possible (try stranger & sons or jaisalmer)
• you prefer a specific international brand’s profile (bombay sapphire if that’s your thing)
• you want a super-premium gin for special occasions (look at best gin under rs 2000 or best gin under rs 5000)

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verdict: greater than gin review

rating: 8/10 (based on expert consensus)

greater than earns an 8 out of 10 based on the overwhelming expert consensus that this is the best value gin in india. the botanical profile is clean and well-executed. the juniper-forward character is what london dry should be. the indian touches (coriander, lemongrass, fennel) add interest without gimmickry. and the price makes it accessible to everyone.

it doesn’t get a higher score because it IS a simple gin. it’s not trying to be stranger & sons or hendrick’s. it doesn’t have layers of complexity that unfold over 20 minutes of sipping. it’s a well-made, honest, affordable gin that makes excellent drinks. and frankly, that’s exactly what most people need.

the bottom line: if someone asks me “what gin should i buy in india?”, based on everything i’ve read, greater than is the answer unless they specify a higher budget. the price-to-quality ratio is unmatched in the indian gin market. buy it, make a G&T, and see for yourself.

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greater than gin review: frequently asked questions

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drink responsibly. must be of legal drinking age in your state.