Bombay Sapphire Logo PNG
The Bombay Sapphire logo says that the real gem is in the bottles. The queen herself inspired the master. The sign symbolizes a unique recipe and taste, making the drink worthy of the highest praise.
The story behind Bombay Sapphire reaches back to 1760, when Thomas Dakin opened a distillery in Warrington. A poor harvest delayed production until 1761, the year tied to his detailed botanical recipe. In 1831, the Carterhead was introduced, allowing vapors to pass through botanicals rather than boiling them directly, resulting in a softer profile.
The distillery later passed to Edward Greenall and became G&J Greenall’s Warrington Gin. In 1960, Allan Subin partnered with Greenall and launched Bombay Dry Gin for the US market, using Dakin’s grain-based recipe. The name referenced colonial imagery rather than actual ties to Bombay. By 1970, sales reached 100,000 cases annually.
In the 1980s, International Distillers & Vintners took ownership, with Carillon Importers handling imports. The brand struggled against Beefeater and Tanqueray. Michel Roux, known for building Absolut, repositioned the product into a premium segment.
Master distiller Ian Hamilton expanded the recipe by adding cubeb pepper and grains of paradise. In 1987, Bombay Sapphire launched with a distinctive blue bottle, referencing the Star of Bombay gemstone.
In the 1990s, bartender Dick Bradsell created the Bramble cocktail using gin, boosting its visibility. In 1998, Diageo sold the brand, along with Dewar’s, to Bacardi for $1.94 billion. By 2000, sales exceeded one million cases.
After a fire in 2005 disrupted bottling in Warrington, production resumed within a week. In 2014, Bacardi moved operations to Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, redesigning the site with glass botanical houses by Thomas Heatherwick, turning it into a visitor destination.
Meaning and History
The manufacturer created the bottle design. In 1960, his emblem depicted Queen Victoria and the year the unique recipe was created, 1761. This date is significant: distiller Thomas Dakin compiled a list of botanical plants for making the drink.
Since then, the emblem has changed significantly. It bears the name Bombay Sapphire, which was inspired by the 182-carat Star of Bombay diamond. It is logical that the brand name also resembles a gemstone. It looks like a piece of gold-edged jewelry with an artistic portrait of Queen Victoria. Above is the crown, a traditional symbol of royal power.
What is Bombay Sapphire?
This unique gin from Bacardi is crafted from ten carefully selected botanicals sourced worldwide. The gin in the brand’s signature blue bottle stands out for its incredible smoothness, achieved through steam infusion, a method in which alcohol vapors gently extract each botanical’s flavors to create a refined, balanced taste. This premium spirit is ideal for traditional cocktails and modern mixes, thanks to its unique flavor profile, where juniper harmonizes with notes of citrus, angelica root, orris, grains of paradise, and other carefully chosen ingredients.
The Bombay Sapphire lettering complements the graphic. The letters are stylishly designed: they have not only serifs but also small protrusions in the middle. Moreover, “B,” “Y,” “S,” and “E” are adorned with elegant curls.
The logo immediately shows that jewels and royal coats of arms inspired the brand. The label features an oval-shaped piece of jewelry with expensive gold-cut stones. In shape, it resembles a double pendant or necklace. In the center is a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Above her is a large golden crown. Small rectangular sapphires surround the entire design. There is one large gem below. Its cut matches the gemstone setting above. The text is split between the top (Bombay) and the bottom (Sapphire). It is in the form of arches with curls on the first and last letters.
Font and Colors
Bombay Sapphire is a unique brand with its well-recognized eclectic style that attracts buyers and famous designers. They inscribed the logo in a typeface of their design, roughly similar to IFC Los Banditos or Lost Saloon. All letters are uppercase and have serifs. Each symbol has another serif in the middle of its legs. “B,” “Y,” “S,” and “E” look the same because they have identical curly elements.
Shades of blue and gold dominate the logo. This palette corresponds to the brand’s “diamond” concept. It reflects the premium status of dry gin and harmoniously complements the bottles’ bluish glass.
FAQ
What does the Bombay Sapphire logo mean?
The logo and blue bottle design pay tribute to the Star of Bombay, a famous 182-carat sapphire from Sri Lanka. This gemstone symbolizes luxury, quality, and elegance, which the brand aims to embody in its gin.
The name “Bombay” nods to the heritage and exotic origins of India’s British colonial era, adding historical richness and sophistication. “Sapphire” refers to the precious gemstone, emphasizing the product’s premium nature.
The blue bottle design is distinctive and easily recognizable, setting Bombay Sapphire apart from other gin brands. The color reflects the name and conveys clarity and purity, aligning with the gin’s reputation for quality.
Initially produced under the IDV (International Distillers & Vintners) brand, it quickly gained a reputation for superior quality and distinctive packaging. The iconic blue bottle and its association with the Star of Bombay have established the brand as a premium choice in the gin market.
Why is the Bombay Sapphire bottle blue?
The Bombay Sapphire bottle is blue to represent the blue tint of a sapphire, fitting the brand’s name and theme. This design choice draws on the Star of Bombay, a famous 182-carat sapphire that symbolizes luxury and quality.
The blue-tinted translucent bottles were created to make the packaging stand out and convey elegance and premium quality. When the brand was launched in 1987, the distinctive blue bottle positioned the gin in the premium, top-shelf category. Its unique design immediately sets it apart from other gins, attracting attention and signaling its high-end status. This design choice was key in establishing the brand as a premium gin from its launch.
How did Bombay Sapphire get its name?
The name “Bombay Sapphire” reflects the historical connection between gin and India during the British colonial era. “Bombay” refers to Mumbai, an Indian city that was significant during British rule, when gin became popular among the British.
“Sapphire” references the Star of Bombay, a famous 182-carat sapphire. This gemstone symbolizes luxury and quality, qualities the brand aims to embody.
Who is the lady on the Bombay bottle?
The lady on the Bombay Sapphire bottle is Queen Victoria. Her image serves as the brand’s emblem. Queen Victoria was the British monarch during the height of the British Empire, which included India. Her image connects the brand to its historical roots and the era when gin became popular in British colonial India.
Queen Victoria’s presence on the bottle adds regal elegance and tradition, reinforcing the brand’s image of quality and luxury. Her likeness aligns with Bombay Sapphire’s sophisticated, premium positioning in the gin market.
Is Bombay Sapphire gin?
Yes, it is a gin made from ten botanicals. It is known for its unique flavor and high quality, achieved through careful ingredient selection and a special distillation process.
The ten botanicals in Bombay Sapphire are juniper berries, lemon peel, coriander, angelica root, orris root, grains of paradise, cubeb berries, cassia bark, almonds, and licorice. These botanicals, sourced worldwide, give the gin its complex, balanced taste.
Bombay Sapphire is made using vapor infusion. This method places the botanicals in copper baskets, and alcohol vapor passes through them during distillation. This process extracts delicate flavors and aromas, producing a smooth, aromatic gin.
This careful selection of botanicals and the unique distillation process set Bombay Sapphire apart from other gins. Its distinct flavor profile makes it versatile for cocktails, such as the classic gin and tonic or a martini.