What inspired you to start Sipsmith Gin, and how do you differentiate your gin in a crowded market?
There is quite a significant history of gin in London. From the gin craze in the 1700s which prompted a series of laws, known as ‘Gin Acts’ to protect the public and regulate gin distilling; to the early 1800s when the London Dry style emerged and gin became refined again. Over the course of the century, many legacy distiller families left London for a more profitable gin business where they were not restricted by these laws. As a result, the only distillery left in London was Beefeater, which opened in 1820.
That is, of course, until 2009, after myself, Fairfax Hall and Jared Brown spent 2 years petitioning to parliament, and Sipsmith became London’s first copper pot still distillery in nearly 200 years.
We created Sipsmith to revive traditional gin-making in London, focusing on quality, craftsmanship and excellence, using a traditional recipe that would not be unfamiliar to 18th century distillers.
Can you discuss the importance of the traditional copper pot stills in your gin production process?
We founded Sipsmith under the guiding principles of crafting gin the way it used to be made, the way it should be made and that absolutely required the role of copper in the process and moreover the traditional pot still design. Traditional copper pot stills allow us to create a characterful yet intensely smooth gin.
How do you innovate with botanical blends while maintaining the classic characteristics of London Dry Gin?
We have always seen ourselves as having a restless enthusiasm for creativity and pioneering spirits; maintaining the wonderous yet classic characteristics of London Dry Gin while innovating with botanical blends is just part of who we are. From the outset, our mission has been to revive the art and craftsmanship of traditional gin-making, and this ethos guides our approach to innovation.
We put a lot of thought and care into sourcing our botanicals, ensuring they are of the utmost quality. Using small batch distillation and meticulous experimentation, we ensure each new ingredient adds a fresh twist while honoring the classic London Dry Gin style.
London Dry Gin is all about balance and clarity of flavor, with juniper as the predominant note. When we innovate, we always start with this classic foundation then carefully select botanicals that complement and enhance the traditional profile.
What sustainability practices have you implemented at Sipsmith Gin, particularly in sourcing and production?
Our mission is to be The Best Gin in the World, For the World…
We are 100% committed to creating exceptional gin while being environmentally responsible and have implemented several practices to ensure our operations reflect this commitment.
In May 2021, Sipsmith became a B-Corporation certified company, reflecting our commitment to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. This intensely challenging accreditation has in fact bought about a more progressive approach to how we do business and one such example is how much closer we are to our supply chain. We know our suppliers way better as a result, and understand so much more about their purpose, standards of operation, processing, how they look after their own team and so much more. It has been so rewarding as it this has forged lasting partnerships through collaboration.
In production, our small batch distillation minimizes waste and maximizes efficiency. Our copper stills are designed for optimal energy use, and we source materials locally when possible. We also run recycling programs throughout our distillery.
Recently, we also unveiled a sustainable redesign for our packaging, using 60% recycled glass for our bottles and FSC-certified paper for labels and gift packaging.
What is your vision for the future of gin, and how do you see Sipsmith evolving?
The future of gin is bright! While consumers remain curious in their exploration of new flavours, we are seeing a strengthening of the classic London Dry Gin and we only see this furthering into the future. While we maintain our core traditional recipe, with continued product innovation and commitment to sustainability, we want to ensure that Sipsmith remains at the forefront of the category.
