Bombay Sapphire marks distillery milestone

After opening its doors in 2014, Bacardi-owned Bombay Sapphire gin celebrated the first decade at its Laverstoke Mill-based distillery in October.

Situated in the Hampshire countryside along the River Test, Bombay Sapphire’s brand home, which recently earned Wildlife Habitat Council certification for its biodiversity and conservation efforts, has welcomed more than 600,000 visitors for tours, masterclasses and events since opening 10 years ago, in addition to 13,000 experts from the global hospitality trade. Sam Halsall, UK sales and marketing manager for Bacardi brand homes, told The Spirits Business that the aim of the distillery has always been “to educate and entertain our guests, giving visitors a deeper understanding of Bombay Sapphire, allowing them to make informed decisions about their choice of gin, whether at the supermarket, bar, or at home, creating brand affinity and loyalty”. In addition, he said the brand’s advocacy team “aims to give bartenders the understanding of what makes Bombay Sapphire gin the perfect canvas for developing well-balanced and creative cocktails, through technical education around our vapour infusion process and the use of botanicals from certified sustainably sourced suppliers, and the impact this has to Bombay Sapphire’s flavour profile”. Halsall explained that over the last decade, the distillery has witnessed a change in consumer behaviours and attitudes to the gin category, for which the brand home has adapted its offering accordingly. “Ten years ago, consumer knowledge on gin was limited, as the ‘gin boom’ had just begun, and people were new to drinking gin. We broke the preconception of how gin could be enjoyed. We now see that our visitors are looking for more in-depth and unique experiences as the knowledge of gin drinkers has improved over the years. Visitors are no longer wanting to dip their toes into gin; they want to dive into it. “In response to this,” he said, “we now offer an extensive range of experiences, from our entry Gin Discovery Experience and Gin Cocktail Masterclass, to our premium experiences such as the Infusions Experience, where guests discover our two infused expressions, Bombay Bramble and Bombay Citron Presse, up to our Premier Cru Experience; a five-hour immersion into Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to our distillery and a locally sourced tapas-style lunch, hosted by our brand ambassador.” Going forward, Halsall noted that the team hopes to continue to evolve the visitor experience alongside gin drinkers, to ensure Bombay Sapphire’s offering remains unique, with immersive experiences that ‘stand out’ among typical distillery tours. “As we see the knowledge of gin drinkers increase, we see a demand for more technicality in our experiences – whether in our distillation process or cocktail mixology – we will offer something for everyone. We also see opportunities from international visitors to the UK, such as the US and Asia, plus emerging markets like India and Mexico, who are looking to learn more about our iconic gin in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, in a mill steeped in more than 1,000 years of history.” Celebratory collaboration To further mark the distillery’s milestone, Bombay Sapphire has teamed up with British designer Thomas Heatherwick, the original designer of the Bombay Sapphire distillery, to create a bespoke gin and tonic glass. The collaboration was inspired by the synergy between the man-made and natural world, with the glassware mirroring the way in which the glasshouses showcase the brand's 10 botanicals. Natasha Curtin, global vice-president for Bombay Sapphire, commented: “The distillery at the historic Laverstoke Mill is an iconic part of our heritage and where every drop of Bombay Sapphire is distilled. The gin and tonic glass pays tribute to the distillery and glasshouses that feature his signature design." The glass will be available as part of a gift set alongside a limited edition bottle of Bombay Sapphire from 13 November, and is the first ownable Thomas Heatherwick piece of its kind. The glassware is said to embrace biophilic design, a trend that emerged in the last decade, incorporating nature into architecture and design. Heatherwick explained: “At the studio we’re fascinated by the patterns, visual complexity and imperfectness of nature. We also always strive to create projects where people can feel they’ve been made with love, care and imagination, whether it’s a bottle or a building. This year’s anniversary is a chance to cherish the ambition of Bombay Sapphire to support innovation and beauty, and our shared love for nature as a powerful influence in design." The Bombay Sapphire x Thomas Heatherwick gift set is available exclusively in the UK at the Bombay Sapphire distillery or online at bombaysapphire.com for £69.99 (US$90). The Bombay Sapphire Limited Edition bottle is also available from the brand's website for RRP £25 (US$32).