Nao Spirits Launches "Pipa - Rum de Goa", A Spiced Rum from Goa

Nao Spirits, India’s pioneering Craft Gin distillers, has recently launched, "Pipa – Rum de Goa," a premium spiced rum that pays a heartfelt homage to the 450 years of cultural co-habitation between the Portuguese and local communities in Goa.

Derived from the Portuguese word for barrel, "Pipa" – this rum captures the essence of a seamless fusion between local flavours and Portuguese influences. 

“We set the ball rolling in 2017 with the Craft Gin category, witnessing a premium growth from a 12,000-case industry to over 320,000 cases in just 5 years. Expecting sustained growth in the Gin sector, we’ve finally decided to venture into the eagerly awaited premium Rum category to showcase our understanding of craft spirits and local spices. After four years of refining the recipe and packaging, we are absolutely delighted with the results and cannot wait to share them with the expanding community of Craft Rum drinkers in the country,” shared Anand Virmani, Nao Spirits' co-founder and CEO.

Made in Goa, the body of this rum comes from Jaggery spirit undergoes distillation, and then matures for a full year in Ruby Port Wine casks imported from Portugal. As an ode to the three main spices that first drew Portuguese explorers to the Malabar Coast, the heart of this rum lies in the delicate blend of spices used to finish it - Black Pepper, Cinnamon, and Clove. 

The decision to produce rum in India, the world's leading sugarcane producer, was an intuitive choice, showcasing the country's immense potential in crafting distinctive spirits. 

India has long been a brown spirits market, holding 97% of the enormous spirits segment, with a whopping 12.5% contribution from rum. While the majority of this segment lies in the mass-produced value segment, the real excitement comes from the Standard and Premium Segments, which are slated to grow at a CAGR of 46.5% and 21.1%, respectively, between 2022 and 2027, according to IWSR.

Launched exclusively in the Goa market, Pipa stands as a testament to Nao Spirits' commitment to quality and heritage.