The Next Big Thing

Indonesia’s premium artisanal distilleries are positively flourishing. epicure investigates the growth and talks to the spirit-makers about their award-wining gin and grappa.

- Eve Tedja

There is no doubt that the Southeast Asian bar scene is on top of its game. Craft bars and speakeasies are competing to showcase top alcohol brands and brazenly experiment with house-made everything. Behind the coppers, suave mixologists have never been more creative and innovative. They have powerful access to the best of juggernaut spirits and top tipples, luxury equipment and brazen investors. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case with Indonesia.

High import tariff on wine and spirits nearly doubled the price of alcoholic beverages. On top of that, a spat between the European Union over Indonesian palm oil in 2019 has escalated into a de facto ban over European spirits. Major Indonesian importers found their applications rejected and alcohol shipments have been stranded in containers and warehouses until today. As a result, Jakarta and Bali’s bottle shops are offering limited spirits options and just wines that mostly come from New World vineyards. To make it even worse, the pandemic happened.

But, it is not all doom and gloom. True to the old adage that opportunity often appears in the most challenging time, several entrepreneurs saw the opportunity, seized it and in the process, igniting the beginning of a new wave of premium spirits made in Indonesia. Forget cheap bootlegged booze that gives you a hard-core hangover. Next time you find yourself in Jakarta, ask the mixologist for Indonesia’s own craft gin, served neat with hints of fresh citrus and warm coriander.

GOOD GRAPES

This particular endeavour started with a noble purpose: to improve the livelihood of Balinese local grape farmers. Situated on the bay of Saba, Gianyar, Bali, Sababay Winery started off producing wine in 2009.