The Chinoy family, with a legacy dating back to 1922, has introduced two new mahura spirits from South Seas Distilleries, based in Maharashtra. The family’s deep connection to mahura—a drink made from the flowers of the Madhuca longifolia tree—reflects their century-old expertise and cultural heritage.
Mahura has significant cultural and economic importance in India, especially among tribal communities in states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Historically, during British colonial rule, it was labeled as “country liquor,” which unfairly implied it was of lower quality compared to imported spirits. Despite this stigma, mahura has remained a vital part of these communities’ traditions.
Hamavand Chinoy, a fourth-generation distiller, emphasizes the personal significance of this launch for the family. The mahura flowers are harvested in spring, dried, and then fermented to create the alcohol. The two new spirits—the Six Brothers 1922 Resurrection and Six Brothers Small Batch (Original)—have been in development for a couple of years but are rooted in a tradition that spans over a century.
The Six Brothers Small Batch is a refined, double-distilled spirit with a balanced texture, while the Six Brothers 1922 Resurrection is claimed to be the world’s oldest matured mahura spirit, aged in oak casks for decades. This limited release consists of only 102 bottles, each priced at ₹1,02,000, celebrating 102 years of the family’s legacy.
Recent government initiatives have begun to recognize the economic potential of mahura, aiming to regularize its production and establish a market for it in the mainstream spirits industry. The Chinoy family hopes to position their mahura spirits as globally recognized, setting a new standard for Indian beverages.
