Has Sipsmith Just Rewritten The History Of Gin?

Exactly where and when gin was first created has long been debated. Its earliest version dates as far back as the Middle Ages, but then it was used as a medicine rather than a drink to be enjoyed. A Dutch physician named Dr. Franciscus Sylvius is often credited with redefining gin into a modern spirit, before the drink made its way to Britain in the late 16th century – spearheaded by William of Orange, who became King of England in 1689.

However, a recent discovery from Sipsmith, the award-winning London-based gin brand, suggests the story of English gin might look a little different. Master Distiller Jared Brown and his wife, drinks historian Anistatia Miller, chanced upon a 1639 manual titled The Distiller of London, which is filled with secret recipes originally written in code. One of these was a spirit featuring juniper berry, citrus and spice, which they describe as ‘the closest ancestor in print to a London Dry Gin’. This discovery has inspired the launch of a new product, Sipsmith Origin 1639 Gin.

Buy Sipsmith Origin 1639 Gin

Sipsmith Launches Origin 1639 Gin

Sipsmith’s new limited-edition gin is made using the original recipe from 1639: infused with raspberries and strawberries, then rested in oak barrels in honour of traditional, 17th-century production methods. With its juniper-forward flavour and berry notes, this is gin as it was originally intended. 

‘We were thrilled to discover that the first recipe in the UK to combine juniper, citrus, and spice, the modern structure of gin, was published in 1639,’ says Sipsmith Master Distiller, Jared Brown. ‘Through meticulous research by myself and Anistatia Miller, this recipe proves that gin did, in fact, originate in England. We clamoured to get into the distillery to see if we could revive the recipe! For Sipsmith, the chance to write a whole new chapter in the story of gin by going back to its very inception? Nothing could be more exciting than that.’

Jared and Anistatia have shared the story of their discovery in their most recent book, A Most Noble Water: Revisiting the Origins of English Gin. The book presents a new history of gin, challenging its Dutch roots and proving that English gin’s origins in fact lie in England.

The launch comes just in time for Christmas: with its unique taste and stylish look, plus the fascinating story behind it, Sipsmith’s 1639 Gin would make the perfect gift for gin lovers.

The Perfect Cocktail Base

Sipsmith’s new gin is already a favourite with bartenders. Alex Taylor, the owner of esteemed Cardiff cocktail bar Pennyroyal, says: ‘Using 1639 comparable to other gins has been very interesting to work with. The new make base lends itself to the gin well, allowing for a super-rich texture. When using 1639 to create cocktails in the bar or for cocktail week, I found that the core flavours of fruits, peels, spices and juniper gave a lot of scope for different flavours to be focused on through development. You would have no issue creating a whole plethora of cocktails, that’s for sure!’

Keen to give it a go? Sipsmith has shared the perfect winter cocktail recipe below: an Origin 1639 Old Fashioned.

Origin 1639 Old Fashioned Recipe

‘A refined twist of the classic cocktail, featuring the smooth and complex flavours of Origin 1639. This elegant cocktail combines sweetness with spice, to create a harmonious blend that is both refreshing and comforting.’

Ingredients:

• 50ml Sipsmith Origin 1639 Gin
• 5ml Simple Syrup
• Ginger Bitters
• Candied Ginger to Garnish

Method:

1. Add simple syrup and 3 dashes of ginger bitters to an ice filled glass and stir well.
2. Strain into an ice filled glass.
3. Add half your gin and stir before adding the second half and stir again to blend.
4. Garnish with candied ginger.

A Pioneer In Gin

With its trailblazing spirit, Sipsmith has been at the forefront of gin’s modern day renaissance for many years now. The brand’s story began in 2007, when childhood friends Sam Galsworthy and Fairfax Hall met Jared – a drinks aficionado with a particular love for gin – at a party. Together, the trio set out on a mission to create the world’s best London Dry Gin. Two years later, on 14 March 2009, the final recipe was made with the brand’s inaugural still, and Sipsmith was born – along with the launch of the first craft distillery in London in almost 200 years.

To this day, every drop of Sipsmith’s gin is handcrafted in small batches by a team of five distillers, made with ten classic botanicals using the ‘one shot’ method. It’s renowned for its smooth yet bold flavour which works just as well in a martini as it does in a G&T, with an array of varieties on offer alongside the classic – from Zesty Orange to Lemon Drizzle, plus the newly launched Origin 1639 Gin.

Sipsmith has impressive eco-credentials too, having certified as a B Corp in 2021. Since then, the company has continued to innovate, recently launching a new bottle made from up to 44 percent recycled glass content. Alongside this, the brand has scooped up over 30 awards for its taste, including Silver at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2020), Category Champion for Gin in the Bartender’s Brand Award (2020), Excellent and Highly Recommended Rating in the USA Ultimate Spirits Challenge (2020). No doubt its latest launch will invite further critical acclaim – and maybe even rewrite the history books.

BUY NOW:

Sipsmith Origin 1639 Gin is available to buy now from sipsmith.com, and in selected stores nationwide including Harvey Nichols and Waitrose, priced £38.