A gin that begins with its place
Raincheck Earth is the company behind Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin. Its founder, Mayukh Hazarika, grew up in Shillong before building a career with consumer brands and returning to Meghalaya to create a spirit rooted in the region.
The starting point was rainwater. Raincheck’s own account describes both the remarkable rainfall of Cherrapunji and Mawsynram and the water scarcity that can follow in the dry months. Harvesting that rain became part of the product, alongside the botanicals grown in the Northeast.
Botanicals with an address
In This is Business’s visit to the distillery, Mayukh introduces the ingredients beside the production equipment: Khasi mandarin, Kaji Nemu from Assam and fragrant coriander. He explains that the team processes many of its botanicals itself.
The finished gin has a particular place to point back to. Raincheck’s brand story brings together the rain, the ingredients and the people of Meghalaya; the colourful bottle carries that same regional identity.
Meet Mr. Fulgens
A visit published by Brews & Spirits describes Mayukh standing beside the distillery’s 1,000-litre iStill. The still has a name: Mr. Fulgens, after the red panda, Ailurus fulgens, that also appears in the brand’s visual world.
In the filmed tour, Mayukh points out the machine that makes the gin and describes its energy efficiency and the control it gives him. He explains that he can monitor the run while working from Gurgaon.
He makes the same point about technology in an interview with The Punch Magazine: “Ours is a modern-generation still that can be controlled from anywhere in the world.”
A bottle designed for a second life
Cherrapunji’s bottle uses SS304 stainless steel and incorporates a bar measure in its closure. Red Dot recognised the product in its 2026 Product Design awards, highlighting reusability, functional integration and the illustrated graphics. It is a recognition of the packaging design, distinct from a spirits tasting medal.
The gin has competition recognition too. The London Spirits Competition lists Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin with Sohiong Berries as a 2026 Silver medallist with 87 points. The product and year matter: this result belongs to the Sohiong expression.
From Meghalaya to the wider spirits world
Cherrapunji has attracted attention well beyond its home region. Condé Nast Traveller India dedicated a feature to its rainwater origin and illustrated bottle in 2023, selected it among its standout Indian gin labels in 2024, and included it again in its 2026 guide to Indian gins.
That recognition sits alongside the Red Dot design award and the gin’s competition results. For Raincheck Earth, the distinctive bottle, regional ingredients and production technology are parts of the same brand.
Hear Mayukh explain the process
The film above opens at the iStill introduction, from 1:36 to 2:44 in This is Business’s distillery visit. Mayukh introduces the equipment, explains remote monitoring and shows the botanicals that go into the gin.
Sources and credits
Cherrapunji Gin: the brand’s story · This is Business: inside the distillery · Brews & Spirits: The House of Mr. Fulgens · Mayukh’s interview in The Punch Magazine · Red Dot Product Design 2026 · London Spirits Competition 2026. Condé Nast Traveller: the Cherrapunji feature · Standout Indian gin labels · Indian gins guide.
Product, cocktail and distillery photography: Raincheck Earth / Cherrapunji Gin. Distillery conversation and film cover: This is Business. The customer card pairs official brand photography with bottle footage from Sarthak Ahuja’s Founder’s Office trailer.
