Sipsmith

Introduction:

Sipsmith Distillery holds a significant place in gin history as the first distillery to produce gin in London after a gap of 200 years. Their pioneering creation, Sipsmith London Dry Gin, was meticulously crafted by Master Distiller Jared, drawing inspiration from the 18th – century book “The Compleat Body of Distilling”. This gin is made with ten carefully selected botanicals sourced from various parts of the world. These include Macedonian juniper berries, Seville orange peel, Spanish lemon peel, Chinese cassia bark, Madagascar cinnamon bark, Bulgarian coriander seeds, Spanish liquorice root, Italian orris root, and Bulgarian angelica root.

In addition to their flagship London Dry Gin, Sipsmith offers a range of other gins in their portfolio. The Sipsmith V.J.O.P. (‘Very Juniper Over Proof’) is known for its pronounced juniper character. To balance the intense flavors, it is bottled at a higher alcohol content of 57.7%.

Sipsmith also explores the realms of creative gin expressions. Their Lemon Drizzle Gin incorporates carefully selected citrus botanicals, resulting in a zesty and refreshing flavor profile. The Sipspresso Coffee Gin is crafted by distilling a blend of coffee beans sourced from Brazil and Rwanda, combined with cinnamon and fresh vanilla. These unique combinations produce a distinctively flavored gin.

Sipsmith’s innovation extends to offerings like the Strawberry Smash Gin, which features the essence of Wimbledon strawberries and a hint of English mint, creating a delightful and aromatic gin experience.

With their commitment to quality and creative exploration, Sipsmith Distillery continues to captivate gin enthusiasts with their exceptional range of gins, each crafted with care and attention to detail.

The Production:

Sipsmith Gin starts with a base alcohol made from pure English wheat spirit, providing a smooth and neutral foundation for their gin production. The distillation process at Sipsmith follows the one-shot distillation technique, where each day’s production fills the stills with the precise amount of alcohol and botanicals required to create one batch of gin in each still.

Before distillation, the botanicals are added to the stills the evening before to undergo maceration. The maceration process typically lasts for around fourteen hours, allowing the botanicals to infuse their flavors and aromas into the alcohol. However, there is an exception for V.J.O.P., where the botanicals macerate for an extended period of up to three days, intensifying the flavors.

The distillation itself begins at approximately eight in the morning, with the stills heated to 80 degrees Celsius. This carefully controlled temperature ensures that the alcohol vaporizes and passes through the botanicals, extracting their essential oils and flavors. The resulting vapors then pass through the condenser, where they are cooled and transformed back into liquid form, creating the distinctive gin.

By employing the one-shot distillation method and carefully selecting the maceration and distillation parameters, Sipsmith achieves a precise and consistent production process, capturing the intricate flavors of their botanicals and delivering a high-quality gin experience.

The Stills:

The Sipsmith distillery boasts a collection of unique and carefully crafted copper stills that contribute to the creation of their exceptional gins. The first still, named ‘Prudence’, was custom-made for Sipsmith by the renowned German family firm CARL, which has been specializing in coppersmithing since 1869. Prudence represents a significant milestone for Sipsmith, as it is their inaugural still and played a crucial role in establishing their distilling legacy.

Four years later, ‘Patience’ joined the Sipsmith family as the second still. Designed to complement Prudence, Patience further expanded their distilling capabilities and allowed for increased production of their beloved gins.

The distillery’s largest still, ‘Constance’, came next. Dedicated exclusively to distilling the classic London Dry Gin, Constance ensures the consistent quality and character of this signature gin expression.

As the demand for Sipsmith’s gins continued to grow, ‘Verity’ was added to the collection of stills. Verity, like Constance, shares the same size and versatility. It features a vapor chamber, allowing the distillery to produce a wide range of gin expressions with distinct flavors and profiles.

Each of these stills at Sipsmith serves a unique purpose in the gin-making process, enabling the team to craft a diverse portfolio of gins while maintaining the utmost quality and attention to detail. The combination of traditional copper stills, craftsmanship, and expertise contributes to the exceptional gins that Sipsmith is renowned for.

The History:

The story of Sipsmith Gin began with the fortuitous meeting of childhood friends Sam Galsworthy and Fairfax Hall with spirits enthusiast Jared Brown at a Negroni party in 2007. United by their passion for exceptional spirits, they embarked on a mission to create a new London Dry Gin that would capture the essence of traditional gin – making.

However, their journey faced an unexpected obstacle rooted in a historic excise law from 1823. The law stipulated that no licenses would be granted for stills smaller than 1,800 liters. This presented a challenge for Sipsmith, as their unique still, named ‘Prudence,’ had a capacity of only 300 liters. Undeterred, they made a bold move to petition for a change in the law, advocating for the recognition of smaller distilleries. Their perseverance paid off, and in 2008, they were granted a distilling license, marking a significant milestone in their endeavor.

In 2009, Sipsmith’s first London Dry Gin was distilled on the beloved still, Prudence. This marked the beginning of their journey as a pioneering distillery, committed to reviving the art of traditional gin-making.

As Sipsmith’s reputation grew and their production expanded, they outgrew their original site in Hammersmith. In 2014, they relocated to Chiswick, where they continue to produce their exceptional gins today. This move provided them with the space and resources to further develop their craft and continue their dedication to producing high-quality gins that honor the tradition and heritage of London Dry Gin.

The story of Sipsmith is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and a shared vision. Through their commitment to quality and their relentless pursuit of excellence, Sipsmith has become an iconic name in the world of gin, reinvigorating the craft and introducing a new generation to the wonders of traditional London Dry Gin.

The Visitor Centre:

Sipsmith invites gin enthusiasts to immerse themselves in their world of craft distilling by offering distillery tours and gin tastings at their site. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the distillery’s premises, learn about the intricate gin-making process, and witness firsthand the passion and expertise that goes into creating Sipsmith’s exceptional gins.

For those seeking a more interactive experience, Sipsmith also provides cocktail masterclasses. These classes offer a chance to delve into the art of mixology, guided by knowledgeable experts from the distillery. Participants can learn how to create signature Sipsmith cocktails, gaining insights into the balance of flavors, the selection of botanicals, and the techniques that make each cocktail unique.

Whether attending a distillery tour, a gin tasting, or a cocktail masterclass, Sipsmith offers an engaging and educational experience that allows visitors to deepen their appreciation for gin and the craftsmanship behind it. Please note that specific details and availability may vary, so it’s best to check the Sipsmith website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information and booking options.

Visitor information:

Sipsmith Ltd
83 Cranbrook Road
London
W4 2LJ
Tel: +44 20 8747 0753