OUR PATCH SPRING 2018
And it ’ s a bandwagon that shows no signs of losing its wheels . “ I looked into my crystal ball three years ago and predicted that the growth couldn ’ t go on ,” Sam admitted . “ Well , I ’ ve dropped that crystal ball now !” Today , Sipsmith produces a wide range of spirits , although the original zesty London dry gin is still the flagship .
Three-quarters of those working at the distillery live within three miles of Cranbrook Road
There is also a VJOP ( very junipery over proof ) gin , a walloping 60 % er ; sloe gin ; lemon drizzle gin ; London cup ; and sipping vodka .
“ There was a need , and we tapped into it ,” said Sam . “ Consumers are awakening to the fact that it ’ s people , not machines , behind this business . I feel a pride in what we ’ ve achieved ; I like to think we ’ ve pioneered something .” Sipsmith has put a modest suburban road in Chiswick on the world map , and it ’ s become a feather in the cap for a community which can sip the product with pride .
That ’ s a bond that Sam Galsworthy – a Brook Green resident – values greatly . “ People want to know more about what they ’ re drinking , and we wouldn ’ t be having this conversation if our local community wasn ’ t at the heart of what we do ,” he said .
Of the 50 people who now work at the distillery , three-quarters live within three miles of Cranbrook Road (“ And that ’ s very important to us ”).
“ Chiswick has embraced us in the same way that Hammersmith did ,” said Sam . “ It ’ s what ’ s so fabulous about communities in London , and I hope our neighbourhood is proud of us .”
Belief in the business , and in the different products , shines through when staff escort groups around the premises .
Which brings our conversation to the elephant in the room . Just over a year ago , Sipsmith was taken over by global drinks giant Beam Suntory , the world ’ s third largest spirits producer with a stable of brands including Jim Beam , Laphroaig , Teacher ’ s , Courvoisier and a great gin name from the past , Gilbey ’ s .
The firm paid £ 50million for Sipsmith … and yet the microdistillery has retained its defiant , independent ‘ small producer ’ image . Wasn ’ t Sam worried that Sipsmith might lose its artisan appeal ?
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“ It ’ s a very good question ,” said Sam . “ Our overriding concern was that it might … but our team are more involved in the business than ever before . It ’ s just that our gin is now enjoyed by more people around the world .”
Beam Suntory have proved shrewd parents to their new adopted offspring . Had the business transferred its distilling operation to , say , an industrial estate outside Birmingham , it simply wouldn ’ t have been the same .
So Sipsmith has been left alone . A wider world profile means staff numbers have increased by a fifth since the December 2016 takeover , but otherwise the USP of London-made , small-batch , copper-distilled drink has been maintained .
At the time of its acquisition , Beam Suntory chairman Matt Shattock spoke of ‘ maximising the global potential ’ of Sipsmith . Sam concurs . “ It ’ s enabling us to grow , without changing the ethos ,” he said . “[ Beam Suntory ] don ’ t have much to do with us in the UK . They ’ re a powerhouse , but they ’ re incredibly sensitive about brand awareness . If
The swan-neck copper pots of the new Chiswick distillery anything , Sipsmith is even more driven now to set higher goals .”
Gin distilling by artisan minnows is , says Sam , “ waking more and more people up to this extraordinary , very English , very London product ”.
Gin exports have now overtaken whisky in the UK . They ’ ve even overtaken that bastion of Britishness , beef ! And there ’ s no sign of the Chiswickdriven boom slowing . “ Sipsmith will continue to be a beacon , a compass to help people navigate a cluttered market ,” pledged Sam .
“ You see people standing in supermarkets , paralysed by the sheer choice of different gins . But all gin began with a classic London dry ; it began with a recipe methodically made in this fabulous city .” Cheers .
Win goodies in our competition ! Follow Horton and Garton on one of our socials and ‘ like ’ the Sipsmith post for a chance to win a bottle of Sipsmith London Dry Gin and a Distillery Tour Voucher for two . Usual rules apply .