IT HAS been four years in the making but now the Bombay Sapphire Distillery is officially open to visitors.

Around 50 people flocked to the new distillery at Laverstoke Mill for the first day of tours after staff at the gin company officially opened their doors this morning.

People from Basingstoke as well as Farnborough and Chandlers Ford got the chance to take in the spectacular views of the restored former papermill, complete with the revived River Test and two unique glasshouses made from over 700 pieces of glass.

The glasshouses, which are home to the 10 botanicals that are in the iconic gin, were designed by acclaimed English artist Thomas Heatherwick – the man who designed the spectacular unfolding Olympic flame centrepiece at the 2012 London Olympics.

Visitors then had the chance to look around the glasshouses and learn more about the environment in which the 10 botanicals grow before making their way into the botanical dry room to smell the different ingredients.

During their time in the botanical dry room, guests also got to construct their perfect gin cocktail by choosing their favourite botanicals and stamping them on an aroma map provided at the start of the tour, which could be taken to the mill bar at the end.

Staff from Bombay Sapphire then talked guests through the gin-making process and a personal interactive guide equipped with a microchip allowed visitors to log into different locations around the site to read and listen to audio clips about the history of the site and the gin company.

Estate manager Will Brix told The Gazette: “We are very happy. We have been pushing hard but it was worth it. We are thrilled with the results and to see faces when people come round and see the glasshouses and having a drink in the bar is really good.”

John Filbee, who lives in Wootton St Lawrence, was just one local taking in the views of Laverstoke Mill on the opening day. He told The Gazette: “The restoration, I think, is brilliant and the glasshouses are absolutely amazing.

"I certainly enjoyed seeing the gin-making process. It was explained quite simply but I am sure the temperatures (in the distillation process) are quite critical.”

To celebrate the opening of the Bombay Sapphire Distillery and the extension of the 76 bus from Basingstoke to Andover on Sundays, there will be free bus travel to and from Laverstoke Mill all day on Sunday October 5. 

On boarding the bus tell the driver that you are going to Laverstoke Mill and you will be granted a free return bus journey to and from Laverstoke bus stop just outside the distillery. 

All guests should book online in advance on http://distillery.bombaysapphire.com/