🥃 Bombay Dry Gin
The original Bombay gin, which appeared before Bombay Sapphire; 43% ABV according to Bacardi.
Bombay Dry Gin is the original Bombay gin, which appeared before Bombay Sapphire. According to Difford's Guide, it was conceived by the American entrepreneur Allan Subin from an old English recipe by Thomas Dakin dated 1761; it was launched in the USA in 1960. According to Bacardi, its strength is 43% ABV.
Difford's Guide describes the taste as juniper-led, citrus and coriander, with notes of liquorice and root. Our sources do not list the full set of botanicals. Bacardi lists this gin as a separate product in its nutrition information, next to Sapphire, East and Bramble. The Bombay brand now belongs to Bacardi, and details of how this version is made are best checked on the producer's website.
Why this matters for you. Bombay Dry and Bombay Sapphire are different gins: Dry has a higher strength (43% against 40% according to Difford's Guide) and a different taste. The names are similar, so check the label. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1960 — launch of the original Bombay in the USA (per Difford's Guide); Dakin recipe of 1761 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I, categories 20–22 (depending on the production method) |
| EU category | gin (category depends on the production method) |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 43% ABV (Bacardi) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Bombay Dry Gin → kind of → 🍸 Gin and juniper spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Wine label
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Bombay Sapphire, 🍸 Gin and juniper spirits, 🍸 Gin
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Bombay Bramble, 🥃 Bombay Bramble, 🥃 Bombay Sapphire East, 🥃 Bombay Sapphire Gin, 🥃 Bombay Sapphire East, 🥃 Bombay Sapphire Gin, 🍸 Distilled gin
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Bombay Dry and Bombay Sapphire are the same?
No. Bombay Dry is older and was launched in the USA in 1960; Sapphire came later and has a different taste.
What is the strength of Bombay Dry Gin?
43% ABV in Bacardi's listing; Difford's Guide also has a page for the Original Bombay Dry (43%).
Who created the original Bombay?
According to Difford's Guide, the American entrepreneur Allan Subin, using the recipe of Thomas Dakin from 1761.
What to read next
- 🥃 Bombay Sapphire Gin — The core gin of the Bombay Sapphire brand: ten botanicals, vapour infusion; strength depends on the market.
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 British — People of Great Britain; their protected West Country Cheddar matures for at least 9 months, and tea is drunk with milk.
Similar
🥃 Bombay Sapphire East · 🥃 Bombay Bramble · 🥃 Bombay Sapphire Gin · 🥃 Beefeater 24 · 🥃 Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Gold Signature · 🥃 Chivas Regal 25 Year Old
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.