Raffles Hotels and Resorts get a first-of-its-kind gin

SINGAPORE — To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Singapore Sling, Raffles Hotels and Resorts has partnered with London’s artisanal spirit distillers Sipsmith to produce the bespoke, first-of-its-kind Raffles 1915 Gin.

“We were looking for a partner that embodied the beliefs and standards that we hold true to our brand,” said Peter French, president, Raffles Hotels and Resorts.

“Sipsmith has an integral authenticity; they are master craftsmen at what they do in a business that is steeped in tradition. We are delighted to create such an evocative gin that simultaneously celebrates the past while inspiring future generations to explore and create.”

In a serendipitous discovery, they learnt that Sipsmith’s co-founder Sam Galsworthy is also the great, great, great nephew of Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of modern 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 at the Long Bar in 1915 (when it was first concocted),” said Galsworthy. “It is something that would undoubtedly make Ngiam Tong Boon, creator of the Singapore Sling, and my great, great, great uncle very proud.”

Of course, while the iconic gin-based cocktail remains the main inspiration, the opportunity to create another product to inspire a new generation of gin cocktails was just as evident.

“Raffles Singapore was the birthplace of the cocktail that is now synonymous with this cosmopolitan country and we are proud to continue the legacy with the introduction of Raffles 1915 at our hotel,’’ said Raffles Hotel Singapore general manager Simon Hirst, who added that the hotel’s team of bartenders are excited to begin experimenting with this unique gin “to create new and inventive cocktails”.

And there is much in the distinct characteristics of this gin to inspire more uniquely Singapore concoctions.

Created by Sipsmith master distiller Jared Brown and handcrafted at the Sipsmith Distillery (London’s first copper distillery), the Raffles 1915 Gin is said to boast a fine balance of botanicals inspired by the Malayan 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, resulting in a bright and full-bodied spirit with the warmth of sweet orange spice.

“There is a great deal of excited experimentation among our hotels at this stage, as we have found this to be such a versatile gin,” shared Diana Banks, vice-president, Raffles Brand and Luxury Sales, who affirmed that the Raffles 1915 Gin is about “inspiring new ideas and new cocktails to take us beyond the Singapore Sling”. “Some of our chefs at our hotels are in the midst of creating dishes with the botanicals in the gin, as a way to complement the gin,” she said.

“Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris and Raffles Singapore have already developed new cocktails and there will be more to come from other Raffles hotels as we move into 2016.”

She added that Selfridges in London is already retailing Raffles 1915, but for a limited time until the end of this year. “Apart from this launch arrangement in London, Raffles 1915 is only available through Raffles Hotels and Resorts. We will not rule out the possibilities of other specialist retailers, but for now you would need to visit a Raffles hotel to enjoy this gin.”

TODAY understands that while there are plans to make it available at Raffles Singapore this month, the date and pricing were yet to be confirmed at time of print.

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