Behind the Scenes at Bombay Sapphire
When we visited the Bombay Sapphire distillery we were amazed by the historical influence that shaped this relatively modern brand, and their impressive sustainability approach, outstanding architectural design, and innovative techniques.
Take a tour through the fascinating Bombay Sapphire distillery, and find out the inspiring sustainability journey the world-famous brand have gone on in the creation of this distillery, and its gin.
Join our mailing list for fascinating articles delivered straight to your inbox every month.
The distillery was moved to Laverstoke Mill in 2012 after a fire art the old distillery in Warrington. The incredible renovation of this Victorian paper mill is iconic, and achieved a BREAAM 'Outstanding' award for its sustainable design, the first refurbishment to ever achieve such a high standard.
As a visitor, the eyes are drawn to the two botanical glass houses designed by Thomas Heatherwick; an absolutely stunning design. The distillery also hosts a range of renewable energy processes including biomass, hydropower and photovoltaics. The value placed on sustainability and quality is reflected in the buildings, and is seen throughout the workings of the entire company.
Despite being a huge global brand, plenty of time is taken to ensure the highest quality. Each botanical must be layered correctly in the infuser baskets for the vapours to pass through; a crucial process, as varying flavour compounds are retained in the distillate. In addition to this, the spirit is produced by a single-fold / one-shot method, whereby no extra spirit is added after distillation (as often seen in mass-produced spirits).
Each batch of botanicals will undergo numerous checks to ensure it is suitable before being sent to the distillery. Their system even allows the batch number on each bottle of gin to tell you exactly where the botanicals were grown, giving Bombay the ability to trace any unlikely issue along the way - and giving the customer an insight into their bottle.
The 'Master of Botanicals' Ivano Tonutti, from the Martini side of the spirits giant Bacardi Ltd, looks for home grown, artisanal products and works closely with organic farmers and local communities across the world. In Martini and Rossi's 156 year history, there have only been eight Master Herbalists, each continuing the legacy of Martini's secret vermouth recipes.
Bombay Sapphire’s Star of Bombay is featured in our Great British Gins tasting collection alongside five other premium British gins. Shop Now
Join our mailing list for fascinating articles delivered straight to your inbox every month.