Raffles Create Their Own Gin

Raffles Hotels & Resorts have partnered with Sipsmith, passionate pioneers of London’s artisanal gin renaissance, to create a new bespoke spirit, Raffles 1915 Gin. The custom gin was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Singapore Sling and to inspire the next generation of elite mixologists. It evokes the essence of Raffles and the craftsmanship of Sipsmith.

“We were looking for a partner who embodied the beliefs and standards that we hold true to our brand. Sipsmith has an integral authenticity; they are master craftsman at what they do in a business that is steeped in tradition,” says Peter French, president, Raffles Hotels & Resorts.  “We are delighted to create such an evocative gin that simultaneously celebrates the past whilst inspiring future generations to explore and create.”

The collaboration is rooted in both history and serendipity with Sipsmith’s co-founder Sam Galsworthy being the great, great, great nephew of Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore and for whom the Raffles flagship was named after.

“Raffles 1915 Gin is a stunningly smooth and inspiring spiced gin that evokes that moment when someone would have sipped their first Singapore Sling in the Long Bar in 1915,” says Sam Galsworthy, co-founder, Sipsmith. “It is something which undoubtedly would make Ngiam Tong Boon, creator of the Singapore Sling, and my great, great, great uncle, Sir Stamford Raffles, very proud.”

Raffles 1915 Gin was created by Sipsmith Master Distiller Jared Brown and handcrafted at the Sipsmith Distillery in London exclusively for Raffles Hotels & Resorts. It  is a sensational balance of botanicals inspired by the Malaysian peninsula – jasmine flowers, fresh pomelo peel, lemongrass, Kaffir lime leaf, nutmeg and cardamom – distilled alongside some of the classic gin botanicals found in the award-winning Sipsmith London Dry Gin, including juniper, coriander and orris root.  The resulting taste is a smooth and full-bodied spirit, with the warmth of sweet orange spice coupled with an elegant, bright, balanced finish.

“We are immensely proud of our collaboration with Raffles to mark this historical milestone,” continues Galsworthy. “As distillers, our inspiration lies in the majesty of what has taken place in the past, and how we might translate that for spirit sippers today who want to discover, appreciate and linger.”

Raffles 1915 Gin will be available at Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ bars and lounges around the world. For cocktail enthusiasts in London, 300 limited-edition bottles (70cl) will be available to purchase exclusively at Selfridges from mid-October, whilst stocks last (RRP GBP44; US$67). Visitors can also stop by Harry Gordon’s bar at Selfridges for a cocktail specially created to showcase the gin’s flavours. www.raffles.com

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The Art of Business Travel is Asia-Pacific's leading portal for corporate travel news and views. We cover everything from airline routes and airport developments, to new hotels, meeting venues, loyalty schemes, and entertaining.