Spirits producer
NÄO Spirits
Indian producer based in Goa, known for the premium gins Greater Than and Hapusa and for expanding into rum with Pipa – Rum de Goa; has also experimented with special editions such as the coffee-infused gin No Sleep.
- Goa · India
- Since 2017
- 2 products
The story
Launched as a craft gin-focused distillery, NÄO (NAO) Spirits gained visibility with the release of the Greater Than and Hapusa brands. In 2022 the company received a strategic investment from United Spirits (Diageo Group) and subsequently, in 2025, Diageo India announced the acquisition of a controlling stake. In recent years the producer has broadened its range by entering the rum segment with Pipa – Rum de Goa and has released several limited editions and collaborations (e.g. coffee-infused gins).
Production philosophy
Strong focus on experimentation and the valorization of botanicals and ingredients that evoke Indian territories; positioned on premium craft products and limited editions designed also for mixology.
Territory
Goa (India) with sales and distribution across several Indian states and presence in international channels and duty-free distribution.
Production method
Production based on distillation in local facilities in Goa; for the gins distillation is performed in pot stills (copper) and infusions and special editions are produced for particular references such as coffee-infused gins. For Pipa rum the base is a jaggery/molasses spirit that is subsequently aged in casks.
Distillation
Distillation in pot stills (copper) for the gins; cold infusions or post-distillation infusions for some special editions (e.g. coffee-infused).
Ageing
For the Pipa rum an ageing period of at least one year in imported casks is reported; gins are not aged.
Characteristics
- Type
- Spirits producer
- Categories
- craft gin
- London Dry gin
- Himalayan Dry gin
- spiced rum
- limited editions / special releases
- producer of premium spirits
- Raw materials
- neutral grain spirit (base for the gins)
- jaggery / molasses distillate (for Pipa Rum de Goa)
- various botanicals (juniper and other Indian and international botanicals)
- Casks and ageing vessels
- imported casks (not specified)
- Representative products
- Greater Than - 70cl - NÄO Spirits
- Hapusa - 70cl - NÄO Spirits
- No Sleep Greater Than - Coffee Infused Gin - 70cl - NÄO Spirits
- Pipa Rum De Goa 50cl - NÄO Spirits
What makes it distinctive
- Flagship brands: Greater Than (London Dry) and Hapusa (Himalayan Dry)
- Special editions and collaborations: e.g. No Sleep (coffee-infused gin)
- Expansion into rum with Pipa – Rum de Goa, produced from jaggery spirit and aged in casks
- Strategic investment and acquisition by Diageo India / United Spirits (strategic stake in 2022, development of the participation in 2025)