Bombay Sapphire was first released in 1987 but was inspired by a recipe from 1761. Like most gin, it is a neutral grain spirit that is triple distilled and infused with botanicals. How Bombay uses the botanicals is unique. Instead of steeping the flavoring ingredients in the alcohol, the distillery uses a vapor infusion extraction. The distillery originally employed two Carterhead stills from the 1830s and added two copper pot stills when production increased. Above the distillate, copper baskets hold the proprietary blend of botanicals. As the alcohol heats up and evaporates, the steam hits the botanicals, infusing it with flavor before it condenses back into a liquid that is cut to bottling strength. This approach is designed to give the gin a more delicate flavor.