Meet the Couple Crafting Irish Gin With an Indian Twist
Words: Hannah Lemass
In the heart of Cork City, a husband and wife duo are crafting spirits that not only taste exquisite but also tell a special story.
Meet Bhagya and Robert Barrett. In 2020, they founded Rebel City Distillery, bringing together two worlds, two cultures, and one bold idea.
Where It All Began
They met in 2015 in Limerick. Robert, a Cork-born biochemist with a love for spirits, met Bhagya, an IT Programme Manager from Kerala, India. They connected online and quickly fell in love. From the very start, they spoke about Robert’s dream of opening a distillery in his hometown and together, they did just that.
As part of their love story, they decided to create a libation that captures the essence of their merging lives. The result is Maharani Gin, a globally recognised, award-winning spirit that stands out from the crowd. At its core is the fearless fusion of both Robert and Bhagya’s heritage and culture.
Maharani Gin: A Bridge Between Two Spirits
Maharani is a spirit as distinctive as the Barretts’ story.
Bhagya’s home state of Kerala is renowned for its spices, so it felt only natural to honour that legacy by using them in their gin. The result is a distinctive, complex, and perfectly balanced spirit. Every bottle is a testament to the love between the pair and their beautifully blended cultures.
Distilled with pomelo, cassia, cardamom, nutmeg, and mace, Maharani carries a signature profile of zesty citrus, warm spice, and floral notes. Every sip echoes the vibrant flavours of India.
Crucially, all the spices use in Maharani are ethically sourced from Vanamoolika, a women-run spice co-op in Wayanad, Kerala. Not only is the produce of exceptionally high quality, but it also provides the women who work there with financial empowerment.
Maharani is a celebration of culture and feminine strength, reflected in the name itself, meaning queen in Hindi. It’s a true tribute to the women who bring it to life, from the spice farms of Kerala to the distillery floor in Cork.
A Cork Family Business
Rebel City Distillery is housed in the former Ford factory on the historic docks of Cork City, continuing the legacy of they city’s industrious past. The distillery is very much a family-run business. Alongside Robert and Bhagya is Brendan, Robert’s dad, whose background spans a long and successful career in engineering and construction.
Brendan mentored his son in business development and oversaw the meticulous refurbishment and redevelopment of the distillery building all while preserving the character and history of the iconic location. It is the diverse skillset and shared passion of the trio that lies at the heart of Rebel City Distillery‘s success.
More Than Just Gin
And even if gin isn’t your tipple of choice, Rebel City Distillery has even more to offer. They also produce the world’s only Irish made absinthe, based on a recipe Robert discovered from 1871. Blended with Grande wormwood, green anise, and Florence fennel, it’s a unique and award-winning drink.
If vodka is more your speed, they craft a devious Maharani Pomelo Vodka, a wildly refreshing, bright spirit.
Where to Find Maharani
You can visit the Barrett’s for a tour of the distillery or you can pick up a bottle of Maharani in Dunnes Stores, The Celtic Whiskey Shop, or SuperValu. Its complex flavour makes it an incredibly versatile base for cocktails, but the simplest way to enjoy it is their signature serve, the Maharani High Queen.
Just add chilled tonic water of your choice to 40ml of Maharani, with cubed ice, and garnish with a wedge of grapefruit and fresh mint leaves to let those botanical notes truly sing. The possibilities, though, are endless.
Every bottle of Maharani is more than just a drink. It’s a love story, a celebration of cultures, and a toast to individuality and empowerment.
