Founded in 2018, Seekers Spirits is revolutionizing Cambodian gin with authentic recipes based on Mekong plants and environmentally friendly production.
Founded in Phnom Penh in 2018 by Marco Julia Eggert and Tania Unsworth , Seekers Spirits is the first Cambodian distillery to offer a premium craft gin. By showcasing thirteen local botanicals and employing an eco-responsible approach (Kampot spring water, cassava residue recycling), the brand quickly won over professionals and garnered numerous international medals while innovating with unique liqueurs made from cashew apples.
History and vision
Origins and founders
After working in the hotel and economic promotion industry, Marco Julia Eggert (former board member of EuroCham Cambodia ) and Tania Unsworth combined their expertise to create a gin reflecting the soul of the Mekong: a marriage of Khmer traditions and classic distillation methods.
Sustainable commitment
- Local supply : water drawn from the mountains of Kampot, Cambodian cassava for the base alcohol.
- Zero waste : distillation residues and cashew nut shells are recycled or transformed into compost for the benefit of farmers.
The three iconic gins
Mekong Dry Gin
A dry gin (41.3% ABV) distilled over an open flame in a copper pot still, infused with pandan , lemongrass, Khmer basil, Khmer lime leaf, Battambang orange, jasmine, and other botanicals typical of the Mekong region. Silver medal winner at the Bartender Spirits Awards 2024.
Jason Kong Butterfly Pea Gin
Distilled with blue pea blossom , apple rose, and cassia, it reveals a unique purple hue and delicate floral aromas. Winner of the Gold Medal at the Bartender Spirits Awards 2024.
Mekong Gold Gin
Aged in Amburana and sugar maple barrels, this gin offers woody notes of cinnamon, coconut, and vanilla. Award-winning and praised for its balance between smoothness and spicy richness.
Innovations and extensions
Cashew apple liqueur
A first in Southeast Asia, this liqueur utilizes the secondary fruits of the cashew nut, reduces waste and creates a new source of income for local farmers.
Limited editions
- Pearl of Asia Gin : infused with romdoul flower, IWSC 2023 gold medal.
- Future projects: collaborations with European mixologists and the launch of a vodka filtered through Cambodian forest sands.
International influence
Key distinctions
- Most Sustainable Brand at the Chilled Awards 2023 (New York)
- Best Gin at the EuroCham SME CSR Awards 2023 (Phnom Penh)
- Southeast Asia's most awarded portfolio (World Gin Awards, Bartender Spirits Awards).
Conclusion
Through its alliance of endemic botanicals, its traditional know-how and its sustainable ambition, Seekers Spirits carries the "Spirit of the Mekong" to the four corners of the world, embodying the rise of Cambodian gin on the international scene.