ABOUT SAROGUA

Sarogua is a delicious 43% proof palm wine spirit made by tapping palm wine from raffia palm trees in Ogoniland, located in the South East of Nigeria. After tapping, the palm wine is left to ferment naturally, then twice-distilled in re-purposed petroleum oil drums on a mangrove wood fire. Botanicals - a major part of our story and mission - are added to each batch. The name Sarogua comes from a local Ogoni deity, one that is said to represent war and rain.

Zina says: “I started out sharing locally-bought palm wine moonshine (or “kaikai” as it is known in South East Nigeria) at my art events as an artistic and political statement. However, things changed when we started producing bottles in my own dedicated distillery, a place where I was free to experiment. The botanical Saroguas we produced were incredibly delicious, powerful and smooth which came as a bit of a shock to me. The fact that the bottles are so good has forced me to meet the challenge of sharing this spirit in an even more serious and intentional way and this is why the brand now exists.”

Sarogua botanical spirits can be experienced at Illicit Gin Institute events and three of the botanicals will be available more widely for sale in late 2022. Art bottles that are sold as NFTs are produced by the Illicit Gin Institute and also, later this year, illicit gins that come with their own video installation will be released. Please follow us on instagram to stay up-to-date with IGI artworks, tastings, performances and news.