OVER 300 people flocked to Laverstoke on Wednesday for an exclusive opening of the new Bombay Sapphire Distillery.

Clients from some of the gin company’s biggest markets, including China, Spain, France and Germany, attended the black-tie VIP opening of the landmark multi-million-pound distillery at Laverstoke Mill.

And people weren’t disappointed as estate manager at the site, Will Brix, unveiled two spectacular glasshouses designed by English artist Thomas Heatherwick.

After the big reveal, visitors had the chance to look around the glasshouses, which are made from over 700 unique pieces of glass, and a botanical dry room, where Bombay Sapphire display some of the key ingredients used to make their iconic gin.

Estate manager Will Brix said: “It is quite good to put it (Laverstoke Mill) back on the map and it is amazing that we could do this.

“It has been a fantastic process. The team are glad about taking it from where it was to where we want it to be, because it takes a lot of planning and the team can’t wait to open the doors (to the public).”

The distillery will be open to the public from October 1 and will allow visitors to learn about the history and process behind Bombay Sapphires’ famous gin.

As part of the ‘self-discovery’ experience, visitors will be able to use the maps to log into different locations to read and listen to audio clips providing more information about the work that goes into making gin.

For more information on the distillery, and to plan a visit, go to distillery.

bombaysapphire.com.