Gin Brand Recreates Centuries-Old Spirits Recipe Uncovered From Decoded Distillation Manual

(Photo: Sipsmith)

On Monday, Suntory-owned Sipsmith Gin went back to basics with a recreation of what it claims to be the first recorded gin recipe.

Dubbed Origin 1639, the expression is named after a manual titled “The Distiller of London” published in the 17th century. The volume was recently discovered by master distiller Jared Brown and his wife, drinks historian Anistatia Miller, each of whom was tasked with deciphering coded formulas designed to protect the “mysteries” within. Once translated, they found that the book — written by King Charles I’s Worshipful Company of Distillers — contained the recipe for a spirit blending juniper berry, citrus and spice.

Brown says that the discovery proves gin was invented in England, rather than Holland as widely believed. Sipsmith, the first gin distillery to open in London in almost 200 years, jumped at the opportunity to recreate the flavor for modern consumers.

“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,” Brown remarked in a news release. “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!”

The new expression is infused with a combination of raspberries and strawberries before resting in oak barrels. Said to boast bright berry notes and a spiced backbone, Sipsmith Origin 1639 is bottled at 42% ABV and is now available to consumers in the UK and Germany at a suggested price of £38 (US $50).

Botanical Roots

Juniper berries, one of the foundational ingredients in gin. (Photo: wal_172619/Pixabay)

Similar to any centuries-old liquor, the exact origins of gin are hotly disputed within the community. The most common tale claims that the spirit was invented by Franciscus Sylvius, a professor of medicine in 17th-century Holland. Others say that mentions of “gin” appeared in English plays decades earlier.

Its etymological roots aren’t much help in deciphering the clues. Gin could either be interpreted as a shortening of the old English word “genever” or the Dutch word “jenever,” each derived from the Latin word “juniperus.”

As the debate rages on, several brands have come forward with their purported rendition of the original gin. Master distiller Jean-Sébastien Robicquet made waves when he introduced Gin 1495, recreated from an out-of-print Dutch manuscript currently held in the archives of The British Library. Last year, the UK’s Durham Distillery took a swing with Monks’ Gin, which faithfully reimagined flavors of pear, citrus, pepper and cinnamon distilled in the 14th century.

If you’re interested in trying Sipsmith’s take on history, find the distiller’s website here.

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