Habitation Velier Himmaleh is the first Himalayan rum released in the Habitation Velier collection, created by Luca Gargano to showcase distilleries with unique expertise. It comes from Himmaleh Spirits , a family-run distillery founded in 2023 by Ansh Khanna and Samarth Prasad. Located in the foothills of the Kumaon Mountains in the Indian state of Uttarakhand , it sits within a four-acre tiger reserve. Velier classifies it as a Pure Single Rum : a rum from a single distillery, distilled exclusively in a pot still. It is presented as a world first, both for its Himalayan origin and its composition.
The raw material is Indian sugarcane . Four varieties, grown by local farmers, are blended to create a profile that reflects the Kumaon region. According to Velier, the cane is pressed fresh, and the juice ferments naturally, without any additives. Distillation takes place entirely in a pot still , using a 1,000-liter Hagyo still. This small volume allows for precise handling of each batch and preserves a large portion of the cane's aromatic compounds in the distillate.
The rum was not aged. It was bottled in 2025 at 56% ABV, a high strength that preserves the distillate's character. Its analytical data sheet indicates 318.1 g/hlAP of non-alcoholic compounds , including 35.4 g of esters . These figures place the distillate among white rums rich in aromatic compounds.
