Most gins are made by boiling botanicals directly in the spirit — an efficient process that extracts flavors quickly but also extracts heat-volatile compounds that can make the gin taste harsh. Bombay Sapphire does something different. Using a technique called vapour infusion, the neutral spirit is heated below a copper basket filled with botanicals, and the rising alcohol vapours pass through the basket rather than boiling the botanicals in the liquid. The result is a gentler, more nuanced extraction that captures only the most delicate aromatic qualities from each ingredient — which is why Bombay Sapphire tastes the way it does: bright, complex, and smooth without any harshness.
The 10 botanicals are sourced from across the world — juniper from Italy, coriander from Morocco, lemon peel from Spain, cubeb berries from Java, grains of paradise from West Africa, angelica root, almond, orris root, cassia bark, and liquorice — and the recipe traces back to 1761 and pioneering English distiller Thomas Dakin. Distilled at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, England, in a state-of-the-art facility designed inside a historic paper mill, Bombay Sapphire is enjoyed in more than 120 countries and remains the standard by which premium London Dry gin is measured worldwide.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery |
Laverstoke Mill, Hampshire, England — The Bombay Sapphire Distillery |
| Type |
Distilled London Dry Gin |
| Recipe |
Based on the 1761 recipe of Thomas Dakin |
| Botanicals |
10 hand-selected: juniper, coriander, lemon peel, cubeb berries, grains of paradise, angelica root, almond, orris root, cassia bark and liquorice |
| Process |
Unique vapour infusion — botanicals never touch the spirit, preserving delicate aromatics |
| Proof |
94 Proof |
| ABV |
47% |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
England, United Kingdom |
Tasting Notes
Nose: Sweet, mild and clean — lemon peel, juniper, and a delicate liquorice note with the warmth of cubeb berries and grains of paradise rising behind. Bright and inviting
Palate: Smooth and perfectly balanced — bright citrus, coriander and juniper upfront, followed by layers of spice, astringent pine, a touch of lime zest, and a gentle cinnamon warmth. The 10 botanicals reveal themselves gradually rather than all at once
Finish: Crisp, dry and refreshing — a clean licorice finish with lingering citrus brightness. The vapour infusion leaves no harshness, only elegance
FAQ
What is vapour infusion and why does it matter?
In traditional gin distillation, botanicals are boiled directly in the spirit. Bombay Sapphire instead places the botanicals in a copper basket above the still, and the heated alcohol vapours rise up and pass through the basket. Because the botanicals are never boiled, only the most delicate aromatic compounds are extracted — the process is slower and more expensive but produces a more refined, complex, and smooth gin. It's the primary reason Bombay Sapphire has a notably different character to other London Dry gins.
What cocktails is Bombay Sapphire best for?
It's one of the most versatile gin cocktail bases in the world. The balanced botanical profile works exceptionally in a classic Gin and Tonic, a Martini (dirty or dry), a Tom Collins, a Negroni, or a Gimlet. At 47% it's high enough to stand up in cocktails without getting lost, and smooth enough that the citrus and spice notes carry through any serve.
Where can I buy Bombay Sapphire online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway — fast, insured shipping nationwide.
