Sustainability
It is common for distillery owners to claim sustainable credentials but Laverstoke is the only processing plant in Britain that has an 'outstanding' BREEAM rating for building sustainability. An acronym for 'Build Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method', BREEAM is the world's foremost environmental assessment and rating system for buildings. Laverstoke passed with an impressive 86.81% score.
The distillery is powered by a biomass boiler [pictured top of page] fuelled by scrap wood chips as well as the spent botanicals from distillation. The rainwater from the roofs is harvested and used for flushing the toilets. Heat exchangers are used to recover heat from the condenser's cooling water and this is used to pre-heat the spirit before charging the stills, as well as heat for the two glasshouses.
Sustainably-Sourced Botanicals
Bombay Sapphire and its Master of Botanicals Ivano Tonutti have built strong partnerships with sustainable farmers and suppliers over the years, with eight of its ten botanicals having been certified sustainable.
In March 2021, Bombay Sapphire announced they are on track for the final two botanicals in its gin recipe to be certified sustainable by international certification group Ecocert. They aim to achieve certification for its liquorice sourced from China and grains of paradise sourced from Ghana, as soon as Covid-19 travel restrictions end.
The achievement means Bombay Sapphire will become one of the first leading gin brands to be made using 100% sustainably sourced botanicals. Ivano Tonutti has personally selected the sustainably-sourced botanicals in Bombay's gin recipe. He said, "It's our responsibility to care as much about the farmers and their communities as we do the botanicals they grow and harvest for Bombay Sapphire. By looking after their wellbeing and investing in sustainable farming practices, we are helping to protect the environment and their livelihoods for generations to come."
Explore all ten botanicals used to make Bombay Sapphire.
Ivano Tonutti, Master of Botanicals at Bombay Sapphire, with juniper berry farmer in Tuscany
Liquorice farmer in China
Scrap wood chips used with spent botanicals to power the biomass boiler
Spent botanicals after distillation
Ash from the boiler then used on fields
Bombay Sapphire Distillery (Laverstoke Mill)
Status: Operational
Established: 2013
Owner: Bacardi Limited
Capacity: 2.4m cases annually (with capacity for a million more)
Visitor Policy: Visitors welcome throughout the year
Tel: +44 (0)1256 895 071
Website: Bombay Sapphire Distillery (Laverstoke Mill)
Address: Laverstoke Mill, London Road, Laverstoke, Hampshire, England, RG28 7NR
Established: 2013
Owner: Bacardi Limited
Capacity: 2.4m cases annually (with capacity for a million more)
Visitor Policy: Visitors welcome throughout the year
Tel: +44 (0)1256 895 071
Website: Bombay Sapphire Distillery (Laverstoke Mill)
Address: Laverstoke Mill, London Road, Laverstoke, Hampshire, England, RG28 7NR
Bombay Sapphire (40%)
Flavoured with ten botanicals: juniper berries from Tuscany, coriander seeds, angelica root, liquorice, Italian orris, cassia bark, Spanish almonds and
Star of Bombay
Named not after the eponymous Westbourne Grove Curry House but after the Star of Bombay, a 182-carat cabochon-cut violet-blue star sapphire from Sri Lanka.
Bombay Bramble
Bombay Bramble is made by infusing Bombay Sapphire Gin with natural flavours from freshly harvested blackberries and raspberries. The sweetness comes only
Original Bombay (37.5%)
As the name would suggest, this is the original Bombay gin, predating the now better-known Bombay Sapphire. It was conceived by American entrepreneur Allan
Original Bombay Dry (43%)
As the name would suggest, this is the original Bombay gin, predating the now better-known Bombay Sapphire. It was conceived by American entrepreneur Allan
Bombay Sapphire English Estate
Launched in March 2019, this is the first of what promises to be a series of limited editions from Bombay Sapphire. English Estate adds three new botanicals:
Bombay Sapphire East (42%)
Launched in September 2011, Bombay Sapphire East is the first Bombay Sapphire extension since the brand was launched 25 years earlier. This 'eastern' variant
Bombay Sapphire Laverstoke Mill
This Bombay Sapphire limited edition bottle was launched in 2013 to celebrate the opening of The Bombay Spirits Company's Laverstoke Mill Distillery. The
Bombay Sapphire 250th
A limited edition bottle released in 2010 to mark the 250th anniversary of Bombay Original's recipe which back in 1761 was used to make 'Warrington Gin'
Bombay Amber
Launched in March 2015 in global travel retail, Bombay Amber is based on the original Bombay Dry recipe with additional black cardamom, nutmeg and bitter
