🥃 Bombay Sapphire East
A Bombay Sapphire gin with Thai lemongrass and Vietnamese black pepper; 42% ABV; launched in 2011.
Bombay Sapphire East is a version of Bombay Sapphire gin with Thai lemongrass and Vietnamese black pepper, which sets it apart from the main Sapphire. Its strength is 42% ABV. According to Difford's Guide, it was launched in September 2011 as the first extension of the brand in 25 years.
According to the brand, the recipe contains twelve botanicals (see the producer's product page for the full list): lemongrass and black pepper were added to the classic ones. As with the main gin, they are infused by vapour. Difford's Guide names Master of Botanicals Ivano Tonutti as the author and describes the taste as citrus, lemongrass, juniper, with sharp black pepper; the brand itself writes about a spicy gin with a prominent citrus note.
Why this matters for you. East is spicier than the standard Sapphire, and its strength is lower (42% against 47% on the US page). To compare it with the base line, check the label and the list of botanicals. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 2011 — launch (per Difford's Guide) |
|---|---|
| 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) |
| Raw material | 12 botanicals, including Thai lemongrass and Vietnamese black pepper (according to the brand) |
| Distillation method | vapour infusion |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 42% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Bombay Sapphire East → 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 Dry Gin, 🥃 Bombay Bramble, 🥃 Bombay Dry Gin, 🥃 Bombay Sapphire Gin, 🥃 Bombay Sapphire Gin, 🍸 Distilled gin
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Bombay Sapphire East has twenty botanicals?
No. According to the brand there are twelve: Thai lemongrass and Vietnamese black pepper were added to the base ones.
What is the strength of Bombay Sapphire East?
42% ABV according to the brand, Bacardi and Difford's Guide.
When was Bombay Sapphire East launched?
In September 2011, according to Difford's Guide.
What to read next
- 🥃 Bombay Bramble — A Bombay Sapphire gin infused with blackberry and raspberry, with no added sugar; 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 Dry Gin · 🥃 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.
Sources
- Bombay Sapphire: Bombay Sapphire East (42 % ABV; twelve botanicals; Thai lemongrass, Vietnamese black peppercorns)
- Difford's Guide: Bombay Sapphire East (42 %; September 2011; Ivano Tonutti)
- Bacardi Limited: Bombay Sapphire range, nutritional information (ABV by product)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787, Annex I (categories 15, 20-22, 31; legislation.gov.uk)
- World Health Organization: Alcohol fact sheet