Himmaleh Spirits launches Neoli, the first pure white Himalayan rum
The small-batch rum is made entirely from fresh sugarcane juice and distilled in the hills of Kumaon. Neoli becomes India’s first white pure single Himalayan agricole-style rum, produced without molasses or jaggery.
INDIA – Himmaleh Spirits, the craft distillery known for Kumaon & I and Bandarful, is releasing a new product named Neoli Himalayan Rum, which it describes as the world’s first pure white rum of its kind made in the Himalayas.
Distilled in Kumaon, the rum is made entirely from fresh sugarcane juice instead of molasses or jaggery and is produced using a Double Retort Pot Still—an approach the company says is being used for the first time in India for such a rum.
Neoli is fermented spontaneously and bottled at 49% ABV, resulting in a strong spirit that Himmaleh Spirits positions as suitable for both sipping and cocktails.
According to the company, the goal behind Neoli is to capture the distinct character of Kumaon’s high-altitude terrain, using sugarcane grown in mineral-rich soil and fed by clean Himalayan water sources.
The name Neoli is inspired by the Nyoli bird, also known as the Great Indian Barbet, whose melodic call is associated with the rhythm of mountain life.
Co-founder Samarth Prasad says the product is rooted in both craftsmanship and sustainability, and each bottle connects back to the people and land of Kumaon, from farmers to distillers.
The company emphasizes that Neoli is not made in large industrial quantities, but rather in limited batches, allowing for close monitoring of quality and origin.
Co-founder Ansh Khanna notes that as Indian consumers grow more interested in origin-based spirits, the introduction of Neoli could signal a turning point for the local rum market.
The distillery also states that the entire supply chain—from sugarcane harvesting to final bottling—can be traced, and efforts are made to source raw materials ethically.
Working with smallholder farmers in the region, Himmaleh Spirits supports sustainable agricultural practices and seeks to ensure fair compensation for those involved in the process.
Neoli is now being rolled out in select Indian cities, with a broader international release expected in the near future.
A bottle of Neoli is priced at approximately US$42 (INR 3,500), placing it within the premium spirits category in India’s growing craft alcohol segment.
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