Bombay Sapphire spices up the gin category

Bacardi has unveiled a new, spice-infused gin called Bombay Amber Limited Edition, a super-premium extension of its premium Bombay Sapphire brand. It is described by the drinks giant as “an intriguing new gin expression in both look and taste”. 

Launched as a world exclusive presentation in partnership with DFS at Singapore Changi airport in March, Bombay Amber has been created for sophisticated international gin drinkers and their love of the artisanal craftsmanship of barrel-finished spirits and cocktails, according to the company.

Presented in a distinctive arc-shaped bottle, the 47%abv London dry gin is vapour infused with nutmeg, toasted black cardamom and balanced with bitter orange zest. This selection of botanicals is enhanced by resting the finished spirit in vintage French vermouth barrels to create a new and contemporary gin experience, both in flavour and appearance.

Bombay Amber super-premium gin

Richard Cuthbert, Bombay Sapphire’s global marketing manager, said the launch of Bombay Amber marked a significant development in the brand family and the company’s commitment to drive value in the gin category. “Our continuing emphasis on innovation enables us to strengthen differentiation and premiumisation in the category through such exciting limited editions as Bombay Amber. Quite simply, no other gin looks or tastes like Bombay Amber and we are immensely excited by the differentiation we have created with this travel retail exclusive,” he said.

Irving Holmes Wong, regional director APAC-MEA at Bacardi Global Travel Retail, added: “We’ve had a remarkable reaction to our strong emphasis on the taste experience and the visual impact of the activation — including a number of travellers stopping to have their photo taken in front of the unit [installed at Changi airport].”

Brooke Supernaw, senior vice president, global merchandising – spirits, wine & tobacco at DFS Group, commented: “This carefully crafted spirit is very innovative, marrying a London dry gin with nutmeg, toasted cardamom and orange zest, creating a unique profile that will appeal to connoisseurs all over the world over.”

DFS Group's Bombay Amber gin promotion at Singapore Changi airport

Bombay Amber will also launch at a number of major international airports, including Sydney in April, and at Las Vegas and Toronto airports from May.

The product comes in 70cl/75cl bottles and carries a retail price of S$55 at Changi airport.

Tasting notes

The very pale golden liquid opens up to reveal warm orange citrus, nutmeg spice, slight earthiness and a hint of smoke. With a blend of spicy cardamom, nutmeg, orange citrus and a distinctive elegant woodiness, the spirit can be served on the rocks or neat, or used in cocktails such as the Negroni or classic gin and tonic.