New master distiller for Bombay Sapphire gin

Bacardi has appointed Nik Fordham as master distiller for its Bombay Sapphire gin portfolio.

He will oversee production for the brand and will lead its unique distillation process at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Laverstoke Mill, Hampshire, England, which is currently under construction and due to open later this year.

In addition to crafting the gin and managing its production team, he will be responsible for quality assurance and meeting the exacting standards of the brand’s well-known flavour profile and consistent quality.

Nik’s role will be key to the production of Bombay Sapphire gin and he will personally oversee all stages, including managing the spirits’ creation through its unique Vapour Infusion distillation process

Nik joins Ivano Tonutti, the master of botanicals for Bombay Sapphire.  The brand’s unique distillation process of Vapour Infusion differs from the traditional gin distillation methods as rather than boiling the botanicals directly into the spirit, the botanicals are instead held separately from the spirit in perforated copper baskets. When the heated vapours rise, the flavours of the botanicals are captured in the spirit.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity,” said Nik Fordham. “To be involved in the establishment of the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with the team to ensure that the values of care, skill and imagination that have made Bombay Sapphire gin famous remain at the very core of the distilling process.”

Nik has extensive experience in the industry, and studied at Plymouth University, England, where he graduated with a BSc Combined Honours in Biology and Chemistry. After leaving university he trained as a research and development scientist working in the production arm at Unilever for more than a decade.

In 2008, Nik looked to combine his passion for business operations with his love for chemistry, and joined Chivas Brothers. where he took on the all-encompassing position as distillery Manager for Beefeater gin. As well as having a day-to-day responsibility for the gin’s production, Nik also implemented processes for improving efficiency and worked to develop the distillery team and ensured they delivered against all business targets.

In 2010, Nik gained the recognised professional qualifications associated with the industry, receiving a diploma in distilling, during which he gained the Gin and Vodka Association award and the following year he went on to achieve the Worshipful Company of Distillers scholarship award for excellence.

14 March 2013 - Felicity Murray