Review

Bombay Original Gin

Made by G & J Greenall International, Risley, Warrington, England, UK on behalf of Bombay Spirits Co. Ltd. (Bacardi Ltd) and distributed by Bacardi USA, Coral Gables, Florida.

G & J Greenall and Bacardi Ltd.

Established back in 1761, Greenall’s are the oldest continuously producing London Dry Gin distillery in the world. Thomas Dakin built the distillery initially, Edward Greenall started using it and in 1870 it was purchased completely (The G&J comes from Edward’s younger brothers – Gilbert & John). The previous chairman, Lord Daresbury, was a direct descendent of Edward Greenall. The family motto “Alto Peto” translates as "I Strive Higher". This once cottage based industry is now the second largest gin distillery in Britain, producing over 50% of the UK’s Gin and almost 15% of the world’s Gin. In 2011 the business was bought by Quintessential Brands.

Bacardi was founded in 1862 by Don Facundo Bacardí Massó in Cuba and today is run by Facundo L. Bacardi since 2005. He is the great-great grandson of the company’s founder and a fifth generation family member. Famous for their white colored Barcardi Rum they have gone from strength to strength (despite having had their production plant illegally confiscated by the Cuban government in 1960) and have grown by acquisition across the years.

Bacardi is the third largest spirits company in the world, as well as the world's largest, privately held Spirits Company. The company sells over 200 brands, in more than 150 markets and operates 27 production facilities (for bottling, distilling and manufacturing) in 16 countries. It is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.  

Bombay was originally created by Thomas Dakin back in 1761 and called Warrington Gin. In the 1950’s it was relaunched and renamed Bombay Dry Gin by Alain Subin. In the 1980’s Michel Roux experimented with the recipe to create Bombay Sapphire, and Bombay Dry became known as Bombay Original. In 1998 Bacardi acquired Dewar’s Whisky and the Bombay and Bombay Sapphire gin brands.

This Gin has been made the same way since 1761, with eight botanicals being vapor infused during the final distillation, using rare Carterhead stills. There is a picture of Queen Victoria on the label reflecting the British heritage and the popularity of Gin during Victorian times.

Barcardi are moving the production of Bombay in-house and are currently establishing facilities in the village of Laverstoke, Hampshire, UK for this express purpose. Laverstoke Mill is set to open on 1st October 2014 and the distillery will include a visitors centre with tours, bar, café and shop. Obviously we are disappointed for Greenall’s loss but also excited and impatient to visit Bombay’s new home. Nik Fordham, previously at Chivas Brothers (Beefeater Gin), has been appointed Master Distiller for Bombay at Laverstoke. A digitally produced tour of Laverstoke Mill can be seen on YouTube plus further details can be found on the Laverstoke Mill website.

London Dry Gin.

43% (86 Proof).

$$ - $$$. Available online at: Crown Wine and Spirits, Wine Chateau and we believe it is stocked by Shoprite and Wegmans.

The 8 Botanicals are: almond (Spain), angelica root (Saxony), cassia bark (Indo-China), coriander seeds (Morocco), juniper berries (Italy), lemon peel (Spain), liquorice (China) and orris root (Italy).

Bombay, called Mumbai since 1995, is on the West coast of India and is the capital of the Indian State of Maharashtra. Originally in the 1500’s this was a settlement by the Portuguese who called it “Born Baim” meaning “Good little bay. In the 1600’s the British gained possession of the city (comprised of 7 different islands) and the name was anglicised to “Bombay”. Using the name for this Gin is a salute to the popularity of Gin with the British Raj in India during their period of colonial rule.

On the nose is pine-like juniper and citrus with herbal and spicy notes. On the palate this slightly sweet (liquorice), medium bodied spirit, has juniper and lemon citrus prominence with a spicy and slightly peppery finish. There are some elements of complexity as floral and herbal traits enticingly flow around the taste buds in the background.

This is a straightforward, classic style Gin. It could easily be your standard, go to Gin as it gives a rock solid performance in virtually any Gin based drink. It is no slouch in a Martini and an easy pleasure in a Gin & Tonic, reserve a place in your bar for this all-rounder, it deserves the space. It’s a shame its sibling, Bombay Sapphire, often overshadows this classic Gin.

89 Points, Beverage Testing Institute.

89 Points, Wine Enthusiast.

Bronze Medal, International Wine and Spirit Competition, 2010.