Agave India (DesmondJi)
India's Pioneer 100% Agave & Indigenous Heritage Craft Spirits
The undisputed pioneer of Indian craft distilling.
In 2000, IIT Bombay graduate and polymath Desmond Nazareth returned to India from the US and made an astonishing observation: wild Agave Americana was flourishing across thousands of kilometers of the volcanic Deccan Plateau. The plateau shares the exact 20° North latitude, elevation, and volcanic red-and-black soil profile of Mexico's tequila highlands. Desmond spent over a decade lobbying central and state excise authorities to formulate regulations permitting small-batch craft micro-distilling. Today, DesmondJi is recognized globally as the birthplace of Indian craft spirits.
Volcanic Deccan Plateau Agave
Wild Agave Americana plants grow undisturbed for 8 to 10 years in the arid Deccan volcanic soil, developing flinty minerality, natural sugars, and complex vegetal sweetness.
Deccan Agave Facility & Coastal Maturation
The Founder
Desmond Nazareth
“When nature gives you wild volcanic agave on the Deccan plateau, you don't copy tequila—you distill the pure terroir of your own land.”
Trained in mechanical engineering at IIT Bombay and film and software at Temple University, Philadelphia, Desmond Nazareth is widely celebrated as the father of modern Indian craft distilling. His unrelenting advocacy established India's micro-distillery framework.
Distillation & Craft
100% Volcanic Agave Americana
Pioneered single-estate pot distillation of wild Agave Americana grown across the semi-arid volcanic Deccan Plateau.
Custom Micro-Pot Stills
Handcrafted copper-and-stainless pot distillation calibrated to extract clean agave fruitiness without harsh congeners.
Revival of Forest Mahua
Championing India's heritage forest-flower spirit, Mahua, harvested by indigenous tribal communities in central India.
