Since opening its doors to the public in 2014, the Bombay Sapphire Distillery has become a much-loved visitor experience, welcoming over 600,000 visitors for tours, masterclasses and events, plus over 13,000 experts from the hospitality trade around the world since 2014.

A Decade On

Since opening its doors a decade ago the distillery has drawn attention not only for its spirit craftsmanship, but also for its unique and striking glasshouses designed by multi-award winning British designer and architect Thomas Heatherwick. Here visitors can see the beautiful botanicals which are hand-selected from locations around the world, before being vapour-infused to give Bombay Sapphire gin its smooth and complex taste.

An Ode To Gin

The Bombay Sapphire Distillery continues to offer a range of interactive experiences including guided tours, gin cocktail masterclasses, and tastings. Special packages, such as Infusions, Sunset, and Premier Cru experiences, provide more in-depth tours focused on specific expressions, and include a personalised bottle to take home.

“Being part of the distillery for the past decade has been an incredibly rewarding journey, watching it evolve into a must-visit destination,” said Sam Carter, Senior Brand Ambassador for Bombay Sapphire. “Laverstoke Mill’s rich history, combined with craftsmanship and innovation, offers visitors a unique experience, and it’s inspiring to see people from around the world engage with the artistry behind the gin and its growing legacy.”

Legacy And History

The proud history of Laverstoke Mill is recorded as far back as the 1086 Domesday Book, in which a mill is noted on the site. Laverstoke Mill has been under the ownership of William the Conqueror, Henry VIII and enjoyed four royal visits, most recently Queen Elizabeth II in 1962.

The heritage of Bombay Sapphire began in 1761 when Thomas Dakin purchased a site in Warrington, England, with the intention of distilling gin. In 1831, the Dakin family purchased a still, and adapted it to separate the exotic botanicals from the neutral grain spirit, capturing the delicate flavours of the botanicals in the vapour – an artisanal and rare distillation process now known as Vapour Infusion.

This recipe went on to become Bombay Sapphire, which disrupted the world of gin in 1986 with its striking blue faceted bottle, amongst a sea of green and brown gin bottles typically found at the time.