Introducing our latest member, Bombay Sapphire

Inspired by a recipe dating back to 1761, Bombay Sapphire is a premium London Dry Gin crafted at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, where ten botanicals are distilled through the brand's signature 'Vapour Infusion' process. Sourced exclusively from certified sustainable suppliers, each botanical contributes to Bombay Sapphire's bright, vibrant and balanced flavour. Since its launch in 1987, the striking sapphire-blue bottle has become one of the most recognisable icons in the spirits sector.

Learn a little more about our latest member in our interview with Natasha Curtin, Global Vice President of Bombay Sapphire.

Walpole: Tell us about the history of your brand...  

Natasha Curtin: Inspired by a recipe dating back to 1761, Bombay Sapphire is a premium London Dry Gin that helped redefine what a modern gin could be. Launched in 1987, it took the craft and heritage of gin-making and reimagined it for a new generation through bold design, exceptional quality and a more contemporary cultural outlook. Crafted at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, ten botanicals sourced from certified sustainable suppliers are distilled through a signature 'Vapour Infusion' process to create a bright, balanced spirit. Respectful of tradition, never constrained by it.

What is your brand best known for?  

Bombay Sapphire is best known for changing the face of premium gin. Its striking sapphire-blue bottle signaled a different vision for gin: more contemporary, design-led and culturally connected, and remains one of the most recognisable assets in the spirits industry. The gin itself is celebrated for its bright, vibrant taste from our signature 100% 'Vapour Infusion' process. Beyond the liquid, the brand is known for championing design and creativity through decades of collaboration with artists, designers and bartenders. 

What has been a significant achievement in your company's timeline?  

One of Bombay Sapphire's greatest achievements has been its ability to continually reinvent what a modern gin brand can be, while staying true to its foundations. The opening of our distillery at Laverstoke Mill in 2014 marked a defining milestone: exceptional craftsmanship, architectural excellence and sustainability working together. With glasshouses designed by Sir Thomas Heatherwick, the distillery design earned an “Outstanding” BREEAM rating (one of the world’s most recognised environmental assessments for buildings) and has become a global destination for consumers and bartenders alike.  

Sustainability practices have long been embedded in the way Bombay Sapphire makes its gin, well before they became an industry expectation. The distillery follows a zero waste to landfill policy, with 99% of our waste is either recycled or converted into energy. In 2023, Bombay Sapphire became the first spirits production site in the UK to achieve Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) certification, recognising its efforts to protect local wildlife and biodiversity. In 2026 the Bombay Sapphire Distillery was recognised as an ‘Environmental Leader’ by WHC for its continued leadership in conservation and biodiversity protection.  

Beyond the distillery, Bombay Sapphire's influence extends through collaborations, experiences and creative partnerships around the world. Our newly launched platform, Step into the Blue, help cement this, partnering with like-minded cultural and entertainment leaders. This includes a multi-year global partnership with sports entertainment platform E1. Backed by high-profile team owners including Tom Brady and Rafael Nadal, E1 represents a new generation of electric powerboat racing, combining elite sport, entertainment, and sustainability. From Lake Como to Monaco to Miami, the partnership positions Bombay Sapphire at the intersection of innovation, performance and progressive luxury.   

In parallel, we continue to build long-term partnerships with leading tastemakers and cultural institutions at globally significant moments. From the Met Gala with Baz Luhrmann and Stella McCartney, to partnerships with Condé Nast and the Royal Albert Hall, Bombay Sapphire continues to show up where culture is being created and experienced. For nearly four decades, the brand has remained relevant because it has never stood still.

Why do you love the brand?  

What I love about Bombay Sapphire is that it’s a brand with an incredible balance of heritage and forward momentum. At its core is an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and quality, rooted in the traditions of a premium London dry gin. At the same time, there’s a real spirit of innovation that constantly pushes the brand into new spaces, whether that’s through design, culture, sustainability or world-class partnerships. 

I’m particularly inspired by the way Bombay Sapphire shows up in culture. From collaborations with leading creative voices and institutions to platforms like Step Into The Blue and our partnership with E1, we’re continually finding new ways to create meaningful and memorable experiences for consumers. 

Ultimately, it’s a brand that combines creativity, purpose and premium credentials in a very authentic way, and that makes it an incredibly exciting brand to be part of. 

Why does your brand represent the very best in British luxury?  

Because it proves heritage and progress were never actually in conflict; a recipe from 1761, a bottle that reimagined the category when it launched in 1987, and a distillery built to be walked through and understood, not hidden away. That's British craftsmanship at its best: deeply rooted and endlessly restless at once. Luxury today is about values and experience as much as the liquid in the glass, and Bombay Sapphire earns its place on all those counts. 

What attracted you to becoming a Walpole member?  

What attracted us to Walpole was both the recognition and the opportunity. It's an honour for Bombay Sapphire to be part of a community that includes so many respected and iconic British luxury brands. 

However, membership is about much more than recognition. It's a chance to connect with people and businesses facing similar opportunities and challenges, to learn from one another, and to collectively champion the strength of British luxury around the world. 

At Bombay Sapphire, craftsmanship, creativity and innovation are central to what we do, and Walpole brings together organisations that share those same values.

If you could collaborate with another Walpole member, which one would you choose?  

I'm drawn to the brands that build a whole world of beauty and experience. Burberry's recent French Riviera work with Hotel Belles Rives genuinely stopped me; it felt less like an advertisement and more like stepping into a fully realised world of colour, culture and place.  

Belmond does something similar through travel, and Fortnum & Mason through its unrivalled sense of occasion. I'd also include Maybourne Group, which creates some of the world's most iconic luxury experiences through brands and properties such as Claridge's, The Connaught and The Berkeley. What stands out is the way they turn every detail into something memorable, from the service to the cocktail experience.  

What ties them all together is that heritage and contemporary relevance aren't treated as separate things; they're woven seamlessly through everything the brand touches. That's exactly the kind of collaboration I'd love to explore, creating immersive, beautifully crafted experiences that feel authentic, culturally relevant and genuinely memorable.  

Tell us about an exciting development or new launch for your brand in the coming months?  

One of the most exciting developments for us is the evolution of our partnership with E1, the world’s first all-electric race boat championship.  

Now in its second year, the partnership is a powerful expression of our Step Into The Blue platform, bringing together innovation, sustainability and culture in a way that feels incredibly relevant for Bombay Sapphire. Through immersive experiences in destinations such as Ibiza, Monaco and Miami, we're creating opportunities for people to connect with the brand and the beauty of the moment in memorable ways.  

It's a partnership that continues to push us into new spaces and audiences, and we're excited about what's still to come.   

bombaysapphire.com