GIN FAQS
What is gin and where did it come from?
The story of gin is the story of juniper. This is the botanical that transforms a distilled spirit into gin. In fact, you cannot call a spirit “gin” without using juniper. From its inception as a medicinal spirit in Holland during the 16th Century, gin has emerged into a much-loved spirit the world over. To discover more about the history of gin, read more here.
What is London Dry Gin?
Whilst you wouldn’t be alone in thinking that ‘London Dry Gin‘ gets its name from where it’s crafted, it actually refers to a specific method of distillation. For a gin to be called a ‘London Dry Gin’, all of the flavour must be imparted during distillation – this means that nothing except water can be added post-distillation. That’s why you’ll notice that our gins including our Lemon Drizzle Gin and Chilli & Lime Gin are colourless – because all of the flavour comes from botanicals during distillation and they are therefore London Dry Gins.
What is the difference between gin and gin liqueur?
Despite sounding similar, these two liquids are rather different. By law in the UK, a true “gin” cannot be less than 37.5% ABV and can have only nominal sweetening added after distillation. Gin liqueurs are typically 20-30% ABV and are distinctly sweetened. This sweetness highlights flavours that might otherwise remain in the background, giving a gin liqueur a completely different flavour profile to a classic gin. Gin liqueurs are not a new fad, however – there are a number of old lost gin styles, such as fine cordial gin, that were sweetened.
Is Sipsmith Gin vegan?
Most of the spirits found on our online Gin Shop, including our Sipping Vodka and London Cup, are indeed vegan. Our limited-edition Sipspresso Coffee Gin uses bee pollen in the distillation process, which some would consider not vegan – please do bear this in mind. In some rare instances, our Sipping Society gins contain honey or other products during the distillation process. If you are interested in joining the Sipping Society and are vegan, please email [email protected] and we will ensure an alternative gin is sent in place of any non-vegan gins.
Does Sipsmith contain any allergens?
Although our base spirit is made from wheat and our botanical recipes include ground almonds, allergens are not carried through distillation process into our bottled gin*. However, we always recommend checking with your GP as allergies vary from sipper to sipper.
*Source: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/482
How do you make your gin?
Whilst our exact recipe is, of course, a Sipsmith secret, budding gin aficionados often ask us for tips to craft the most delicious gin. So, to make Sipsmith Gin, we load our copper pot stills with pure English wheat spirit and pure water. We then add our botanicals, warm the still gently and leave it to macerate overnight. In the morning we gradually increase the temperature of the still. The liquid that comes off the still is separated into the ‘heads’, ‘heart’ and ‘tails’. We only use the produce from the ‘heart’ cut – the finest, most delicious part that will become Sipsmith Gin. Once collected, we add nothing but water to bring the ABV down to the optimal strength to deliver the balanced and complex flavour of the botanicals. To read more about our distillation process, you can meet our stills here.
What are the types of Martini?
Now, where do we start? Believe it or not, there are actually at least 100 different types of Martini! However, here are our personal favourites: Classic Martini, Dirty Martini, Gibson Martini, Martinez, Vesper Martini and Millionaire’s Martini. Looking to find out more about Martinis? You might like to read our 10 surprising Martini facts.
FREEGLIDER™ FAQS
Why are you launching an alcohol free spirit?
We wanted to create a flavourful alcohol free spirit, one that would be a real treat to enjoy during those moments you choose not to drink alcohol.
Twelve years ago, we created the first gin distillery in London for nearly 200 years. We are dedicated to continual innovation and experimentation and now felt like the right moment to launch a product beyond gin. FreeGlider was painstakingly crafted over the past two years using the team’s collective expertise and passion to create a delicious and perfectly balanced non-alcoholic spirit.
As it has juniper in it, would you describe FreeGlider as an alcohol free gin?
There is no such a thing as an alcohol free gin. And, thankfully, there are laws that protect and define the gin category. FreeGlider is an alcohol free spirit, crafted with juniper and citrus: uncompromising on quality, flavour and enjoyment.
What is the shelf life of FreeGlider?
The unopened shelf life of each bottle of FreeGlider is 12 months from when it is made. You will see this on the base of the bottle. Once opened we recommend keeping refrigerated and consuming within 2 months.
Is FreeGlider completely alcohol free?
To be classified as ‘non-alcoholic’, a product must be under 0.5% ABV. Sipsmith FreeGlider qualifies for this at 0.45%. The traces of alcohol come from some of the ingredients we use to capture the flavours and mouthfeel. However, when mixed with tonic water (our recommended serve) it becomes diluted, making the ABV a minute amount; similar to that found naturally in fruit juices.
Is FreeGlider suitable for vegans?
Yes, FreeGlider is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.
Can I drink FreeGlider if I'm pregnant?
If you have any concerns about drinking Sipsmith FreeGlider, we recommend you contact a medical professional before trying. On its own (without mixing or diluting) this product contains 0.45% alcohol, however we strongly recommend that this sip is best enjoyed over ice with tonic water and a twist of grapefruit peel. In this serve, the product becomes so diluted that it has trace amounts of alcohol; comparable to the likes of apple and orange juices.
If I don't like tonic water, how else should I drink FreeGlider?
When developing FreeGlider, we wanted to ensure it had a distinct flavour which you could enjoy in a range of alcohol free cocktails. There are a range of non-alcoholic variants on some of our favourite classic cocktails you can find here.
How many calories are there in FreeGlider?
There is 1 calorie (kcal) per 50ml serving of FreeGlider.
Do you use any artificial sweeteners?
No, unlike many other alcohol free spirits we avoid using sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame K.
SIPSMITH FAQS
What are your opening hours?
Our Distillery opening hours are 9-6pm from Monday-Thursday, and 9-4pm on Fridays, during which we are contactable by phone. We are closed at the weekend. Due to high demand for our Distillery tours and the health and safety parameters around a working gin distillery, unfortunately we can’t accept walk-in guests. If there is a particular tour that is sold out that you wish to attend, please do get in touch with us and we will do our best to accommodate you to our Distillery during your time in London.
Can I purchase Sipsmith Gin from the Distillery?
You certainly can, however, if you wish to get hold of our amazing gins, but don’t want to carry your Sipsmith goodies around London, we sell them directly on our online Gin Shop.
What is your best gin?
That’s a very difficult question! However, as our London Dry Gin is our pride and joy, and is the basis of most of our gins, we would have to say this is our best gin. Our range of gin caters to many different tastes, such as our fruity Lemon Drizzle Gin and Sloe Gin. For those looking for a more juniper-forward gin, we’d recommend our V.J.O.P. Gin Those looking for something a little different might like to try our Sipping Series gin, currently offering our Strawberry Smash Gin. If you’re open to different flavours of gin and like a surprise in the post every other month, take a peek at our Sipping Society; a gin membership for experimental gin lovers. Still can’t decide? Send us a message on social media @sipsmith and we will do our best to help you choose.
What is the Sipping Series?
In celebration of the mastery of our craft, we are releasing limited small batches of our favourite creations with a new range called the ‘Sipping Series’. Essentially, these are the most popular gins that have emerged from our Sipping Society and will be available to purchase nationwide, each for a limited time only. Our Sipping Series gin is currently Strawberry Smash Gin. For more information on the Sipping Series, you might like to read our blog post here.
Why the Swan?
Great question! The Swan is personified in everything we do – inspired by a part of the still called the ‘Swan’s Neck’, the meaning actually goes much deeper than this. What could be a better symbol of the quality of our gin than the noble swan? An unflappable and undeniable symbol of majesty, the swan is the bird to be on the pond. Graceful above the surface, what you don’t see is the hours of graft and craft that are poured into every drop of our London Dry Gin.
What do you do with the waste products from your gin distillation process?
You might’ve heard on our ‘We Make Gin, Not Compromises’ TV advert that we don’t know what we do with the gin we don’t use during our distillation process. Rest assured that whilst our dear Swan doesn’t know where the rest goes, we certainly do. Any alcohol that doesn’t make it into our outrageously good gin is recycled as by-products into other industries such as cosmetics and chemical industries.
Do you run Gin Distillery Tours and when?
We do indeed run a range of Distillery Tours, from weeknight tours and tutored tastings, to the Sipsmith Supper Club and our Ultimate Gin Cocktail Masterclass. Find more information on our Distillery Tours in the FAQs below, or here.
What suppliers do you work with?
At Sipsmith we are proud to work with suppliers who align with our company values. As part of our commitment to celebrating our supplier partners and working in a transparent manner, you can find our majority suppliers listed below:
EHD London No 1 Bond Ltd
Beam Suntory UK Ltd
Big Fish Design
Ogilvy UK
EHD
Jim Beam Brands Co.
HG Group
Waitrose
Asda
DHL
Tesco
DISTILLERY TOUR FAQS
Our Distillery tours are finally re-opening! Find out more and book your space here.
My tour voucher expired during the period when the Distillery was closed, will it still be valid?
Fear not, we understand there were many Distillery Tour guests whose tours were cancelled during the whirlwind of the pandemic, and vouchers which expired whilst our Distillery was closed. We will, of course, honour any vouchers which were due to expire (excluding Virgin Experience vouchers – you’ll need to contact Virgin to amend these). Just send our team an email on [email protected] and they will be happy to assist.
I have a tours voucher, how do I book?
If you have a tours voucher (even if you used it to book a previously cancelled tour), you can go to our Tours page and use your 9 digit voucher code to book online. If you hold a Virgin Experiences Voucher, please call us or email [email protected] to book. We can’t wait to host you soon!
Can I turn up for a distillery tour or do I need to book?
As our Distillery Tours are gincredibly popular, we require all guests to pre-book their ticket for all of our tours. You can find out more and book your place by clicking here.
The date I want to visit on is fully booked, is there anything you can do?
Our Distillery Tours are often fully booked a few months in advance, however if you’re visiting London for a limited time, or are looking for a last-minute activity for a special occasion, do give us a call on 02087470753 and we’ll see if there’s anything we can do.
I can't make my tour, how do I cancel?
Our Distillery Tours often sell out in advance, so it would be great if you could let us know as soon as you know you can’t attend one of our Distillery Tours to enable us to offer your place to another Sipper. However, we know that these things happen and it’s not always possible to give us notice. Just drop us a line on 02087470753 or pop an email to [email protected] and one of our team will be able to help out.
Do you host Distillery Tours at the weekend?
As our Distillery is located on a lovely residential road in the heart of Chiswick, we leave our Copper Pot Stills and our neighbours to have a rest over the weekend, so unfortunately our Distillery doors are not open. Our tours are hosted on weeknights which you can book here.
SIPPING SOCIETY FAQS
What is the Sipping Society?
The Sipping Society is our exclusive experimental gin club. Members receive a box every other month containing two experimental gins, crafted by our Distillers exclusively. Some of our members’ favourite gins from the Sipping Society prove so popular that they end up in our core range, such as our Lemon Drizzle Gin. Our Sipping Series contains our most popular gins that have emerged from the Sipping Society and are available to purchase nationwide, each for a limited time only.
What does a Sipping Society membership include?
As a member of the Sipping Society, every other month, a beautiful Sipsmith box will arrive directly to your door, delivering the gift of craft with two experimental 20cl gins, each with tasting notes and a recipe card for you to mix your perfect sip at home. Read more here.
When will I receive my Sipping Society box?
Members receive their Sipping Society gins in the following months: February, April, June, August, October and December. Interested in signing up to be a Sipping Society member? Be sure to sign up before the last day of the prior month in order to receive the next delivery.
When do I need to sign up to receive the next Sipping Society box?
Our Sipping Society members receive two experimental gins, specially crafted by our Distillers, bi-monthly in the following months: February, April, June, August, October and December. If you’d like to join the Sipping Society, be sure to sign up before the last day of the previous month to receive the next delivery (e.g. to receive the December box, you must sign up before 30th November).
Can I cancel my Sipping Society membership?
Whilst we’ll be sorry to see you leave our experimental gin membership club, you are of course free to cancel whenever you wish. Simply log in to your Sipsmith Account>Sipping Society>View Membership>Cancel. If you originally activated your membership using a voucher, this will auto-expire after your year’s membership so no action needs to be taken. If you have any issues, or if you have a spare moment to let us know why you’ve chosen to cancel your membership, please email us on [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help.
I signed up to the Sipping Society with a voucher, will this auto-renew?
We do hope you have enjoyed your Sipping Society gin membership. Unfortunately, memberships from vouchers do not auto-renew because we don’t take any payment details from those who purchase a voucher. If you’d like to renew your membership, simply login to your Sipsmith Account>Sipping Society and add your payment details. Alternatively, you can email us on [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help.
Do the bi-monthly membership payments align with when the boxes will arrive?
Not necessarily; depending on when you sign up, the £35 will come out of your account every other month, regardless of when the boxes are due out. Don’t worry, each of your payments corresponds to a box within your membership, so if you sign up in-between boxes and therefore pay during months that you do not receive a box, you will never pay for a box that you do not receive.
Are all Sipping Society gins vegan?
In some rare instances, our Sipping Society gins contain honey or other products during the distillation process. If you are interested in joining the Sipping Society and are vegan, please email [email protected] and we will ensure an alternative gin is sent in place of any non-vegan gins.
Can I purchase previous Sipping Society gins?
Whilst we know our members would love to be sipping their favourite Sipping Society gins all year long, the wonderful nature of the Sipping Society means that each gin is made in very limited quantities for a truly exclusive sip. Some of our most popular Sipping Society gins will earn their place in the Sipping Series which is available nationwide for a limited time only.
I’ve not received this month’s box, what should I do?
We’re so sorry to hear this. Please email us [email protected] and we’ll investigate how this happened, and send a replacement to you as soon as possible.
Can I purchase a Sipping Society membership as a gift for someone?
Of course – many of our gin aficionados joined following a lovely ginny gift. You can purchase a year’s gin membership as a gift here – this is a great option if you wanted to add a personal gift note. Unfortunately, we are unable to add a gift message to a normal membership, however you can add the recipient’s shipping address and email to ensure they receive delivery tracking notifications.
I need to update my Sipping Society address, how do I do this?
That’s no problem at all. Simply login to your Sipsmith Account>Sipping Society>Change Address. Please ensure any changes are made before the last day of the prior month to ensure you receive your box – you will receive an email reminder from us, too. If you have any difficulties, please email [email protected] and we’ll be more than happy to assist.
I need to update my Sipping Society payment method, how do I do this?
Login to your Sipsmith Account>Sipping Society>Change Payment. If you have any difficulties please email [email protected] and we will be more than happy to assist.
I've signed up to the Sipping Society – why will my gins not arrive immediately?
Alike all of our gins, our Sipping Society gins are handcrafted by our small team of talented distillers. Because we put so much thought into each exclusive flavour, these gins go through a rigorous process of trialling different recipes, tasting and modifying until the whole team is happy. We also need to know how many bottles to craft each month so we don’t have too many leftover – we therefore have a ‘cut-off date’ on sign-ups for each month. We then made enough gin for all of our members, before it’s bottled, packed into boxes alongside our serving suggestion postcards, and shipped out to you. We really appreciate your patience, and truly believe our gins are worth the wait!
GIN SHOP FAQS
How much does delivery cost?
Delivery costs £3.95, or is free on orders over £100. Unfortunately, we currently only deliver within mainland UK, which excludes Northern Ireland and a small number of postcodes within the UK that our courier is unfortunately unable to deliver to. These can be found on our Delivery & Returns page. If we are unable to deliver to your address, please do contact us by emailing [email protected] and we will strive to find an alternative stockist of the product you are looking for.
How long does delivery take?
All orders from our online Gin Shop are sent using a next day delivery service. However, please allow 2-3 working days for your order to arrive, to allow us time to fulfill your order and for any courier delays.
Where do you deliver to?
We currently offer delivery within Mainland UK, which excludes Northern Ireland. There are a few areas in Scotland that are excluded from our standard delivery fee – please click here for more information on our delivery policy, or email us and we’ll be happy to provide a bespoke delivery quote, or suggest an alternative stockist of your desired Sipsmith goodies.
What is your returns policy?
We do hope that you love your ginny delivery, but if for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase please email us. You can read our full returns policy here.
I’ve received a tracking number for my ginny parcel, but I’m not going to be in. What should I do?
There are many options available via FedEx to change your delivery date or choose a safe place or neighbour to leave your parcel with. In most circumstances, re-delivery will be attempted if none of these options are chosen. However, if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Swans by emailing [email protected].
I’ve noticed there’s an error with the order details I’ve submitted, what should I do?
Not to worry, please contact our Customer Service Swans as soon as possible by emailing us, including your order number and the required changes during our open hours. We will do our best to implement these changes, however if the order has already been fulfilled, we are unfortunately unable to make any changes.
Can I add additional items to my order?
Unfortunately, once an order is placed, we are unable to amend it. However, if you would like to place another order, please email us as soon as possible so we can do our best to ensure they arrive together.
I’ve changed my mind, can I cancel my order?
Please contact our Customer Service Swans by emailing us within 30 minutes of placing your order (during our open hours). We will do our best to facilitate your request where possible, however if your order has already been fulfilled it will not be possible to cancel it. However, you can view our returns policy here.
Do you ship internationally?
Unfortunately, due to shipping restrictions, we are only able to deliver within Mainland UK, with some exclusions. If you live outside of the UK, please email us and we will do our best to advise an alternative stockist of your desired product.
Do you have any discount codes?
For new sign-ups to our email newsletter, we offer a 10% discount code, valid on all orders excluding: Sipping Society, Tours, vouchers, Paul Smith Limited Edition London Dry Gin, SIP Book & London Dry Gin Bundle and gin cases. Simply enter your email address at the bottom of this page and enter the coupon code included in your welcome email at the checkout (T&Cs apply). If you are looking to place a large order, or have an event you would like to stock Sipsmith Gin at, please email us and we’ll see what we can do to offer a discount.
Do you offer discount for NHS Staff?
As a token of our appreciation for those working in our NHS, we offer a 10% discount code available on our online Gin Shop (T&CS apply). Please drop us a message on [email protected] or @sipsmith on social media and we’ll be happy to let you know the code.
Can I buy your bar and glassware?
Indeed, you can. We currently stock a range of Sipsmith glasses and barware on our online Gin Shop, to ensure you can sip in style from the comfort of your home. From our popular Swan Drinks Stirrers and highball glasses, to a full cocktail set, you can find plenty of options for the gin lover in your life. Our individual barware products are available to purchase on orders of £20 and above.
Is your packaging recyclable?
Deliveries from our online Gin Shop are packaged in recyclable cardboard and our green gift boxes are recyclable too. We are currently looking at more environmentally-friendly alternatives to our foam and bubble wrap, as these are not currently recyclable.
I’m ordering a gift, will the recipient be able to see the price of the order?
If you’re shopping for a gift, fear not – we don’t include paperwork in our deliveries, so the recipient won’t see the price of the order. Sending direct to them? Why not add a bottle gift box or a handwritten gift card to your order? If you’d like peace of mind for their delivery, but don’t need to surprise them, you can enter their email address in the shipping details at the checkout to allow them to receive the tracking details for their gift.
Do you publish all customer reviews on your website?
We welcome product reviews of all natures – positive, negative or neutral – and all are published online within 48 hours of being submitted. Spam reviews, or those containing expletives or inappropriate language, will not be published on Sipsmith.com.
We do hope you’ve found the answer to your ginny question, but if you’re still scratching your head, please don’t hesitate to contact our Customer Service Swans.