Sipsmith, betting all on Gin

The beginnings of Sipsmith

It all began in 2009, in a small workshop in Hammersmith, London. Fairfax and Sam, two childhood friends, had an unshakeable belief in things done right, in the way they used to be, in the way they should be.

So they set upLondon's first traditional copper distillery since 1820, but not before selling their houses to raise the necessary money.

His mission was simple: to bring the London Dry Gin of truly uncompromising quality and character back to the city where it earned its name.

The stills: Prudence, Patience and Constance

Prudence (Prudence in English)

The Prudence still was the first copper pot still to be launched in London in almost 200 years.

At Sipsmith they designed each of its curveswith the help of Germany's oldest still makers, Christian Carl, a small family business that has been creating stills since 1869, the only one in the world.

The Prudence Alembic was named in an ironic way; while the then prime minister, Gordon Brown, was warning a recession-hit UK to become financially "prudent", Sam and Fairfax were busy selling their homes to fund its creation.

After four yearsof distilling all of Fairfax and Sam's spirits at Sipsmith, Prudence gained a sister.

Patience (Patience in English)

Patience began life as a rather clever mash tank, but after 6 months of waiting(patient), Sipsmith moved to a new, slightly larger house(patient), in Chiswick, where he was fitted with the full hull that allows him to fulfil his distilling potential.

Constance

Then came the greatest of his copper dames, Constance, where only his workhorse, the classic London Dry Gin, his rock of continuity, would be distilled.

Characteristics

Because it is handcrafted from copper, Prudence and her sisters can create truly flavoursome spiritss, removing all impurities from the base spirit and botanicals.

Prudence's bespoke design combining a pot with a carter's head and a column still makes itincredibly versatile, which allows you to distil London Dry Gin, V.J.O.P. and drink vodka - albeit with a day's cleaning in between.

Where to buy Sipsmith

Remember that at enbotella.com we stock both formats of Sipsmith, so you can enjoy them in less than 24/48 hours and appreciate the spirit of these two brave fellows who gambled it all on a dream.