Bombay Sapphire Bramble Premier Cru Murcian Lemon Gin 700ML

Bombay Sapphire Bramble Premier Cru Murcian Lemon Gin 700ML is a vapor-infused London Dry–style gin bottled at 47% ABV in a 700ml bottle, built around hand-picked Fino lemons from Murcia, Spain. Rated 94 points by Distiller, this expression stands as one of the most critically acclaimed releases in the Bombay Sapphire range, channeling single-origin citrus into a bold, juniper-anchored spirit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47%  |  Origin: Hampshire, England  |  Style: Premier Cru Single-Origin Citrus Gin  |  Distillery: Laverstoke Mill

Production & Heritage

Premier Cru Murcian Lemon is distilled at Laverstoke Mill, Bombay Sapphire's headquarters in Hampshire, England. The distillery employs its signature vapor infusion process: neutral grain spirit is heated and passed upward through a copper basket containing the botanicals, rather than boiling them directly in the pot. This gentler extraction preserves delicate aromatic compounds that direct steeping can overwhelm. The expression uses 13 botanicals — the standard ten (juniper berries, lemon peel, coriander seeds, orris root, angelica root, bitter almonds, liquorice, cassia bark, cubeb berries, and grains of paradise) plus three additional citrus ingredients: Fino lemons, mandarin peel, and orange. The Fino lemons are left to ripen through the winter months under the Mediterranean sun in the Murcia region, then hand-picked and hand-peeled at peak maturity to capture the most concentrated citrus oils possible.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a pronounced lemony top note, suggesting lemon custard and bright citrus oils. Behind it, juniper's resinous depth emerges alongside subtle floral flourishes from the orris and coriander.

Taste: The palate enters rich and oily with vivid lemon and rounded orange notes that dominate the opening. At mid-palate, deep resinous and piney juniper takes firm hold, joined by a layered spice presence from cassia bark and grains of paradise. Despite its 47% ABV strength, the spirit carries a smooth, balanced weight throughout.

Finish: Long, smooth, and complex — crisp citrus gradually gives way to pithy peel bitterness and warm spice. Juniper lingers alongside a dry, subtly oily texture that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Premier Cru Murcian Lemon

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the best way to appreciate the single-origin Fino lemon character and the interplay between citrus and juniper at full strength. A quality tonic and a wheel of fresh lemon makes a superb gin and tonic that lets the Murcian citrus shine without competing sweetness.

• Bramble: The gin's intense lemon oils and juniper backbone stand up beautifully against crème de mûre and fresh lemon juice in this modern classic.
• White Lady: The oily citrus richness replaces the need for a heavy pour of lemon juice, creating a more integrated, silky cocktail.
• Gimlet: Fino lemon character pairs naturally with lime cordial, producing a cleaner, more aromatic take on the two-ingredient standard.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who already owns the core Bombay Sapphire range
• Serving a refined gin and tonic at a dinner party where presentation matters
• Exploring single-origin botanical gins alongside standard London Dry expressions
• Building a home bar with cocktail-versatile, higher-proof gins

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Premier Cru Murcian Lemon taste like? It leads with bright, oily lemon custard and fresh citrus peel, supported by resinous juniper and warm baking spice. The finish is long and complex with pithy peel bitterness and lingering warmth.

How does Premier Cru Murcian Lemon compare to Hendrick's? Hendrick's citrus-forward expressions tend to emphasize floral and cucumber-inflected aromatics alongside their citrus, whereas Premier Cru Murcian Lemon puts a single-origin Fino lemon front and center. At 47% ABV, it also carries more intensity and body than most Hendrick's bottlings at 41.4%.

Is Premier Cru Murcian Lemon good for sipping neat? Yes — the vapor infusion process and 47% ABV create a smooth, full-bodied spirit that rewards neat sipping. A few drops of water can open up additional floral and spice nuances.

Where is Premier Cru Murcian Lemon made? It is distilled at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, England, which serves as Bombay Sapphire's dedicated distillery. The Fino lemons are sourced from the Murcia region of southeastern Spain.

What foods pair well with Premier Cru Murcian Lemon? Grilled prawns with lemon and garlic complement the gin's citrus intensity. Fresh oysters echo its briny, oily texture. A lemon tart mirrors the Fino lemon notes harmoniously. Seared sea bass with herb butter pairs well with the juniper and spice profile. Aged Manchego cheese bridges the Spanish provenance of the lemons with the gin's warm spice finish.

What sizes does Premier Cru Murcian Lemon come in? The standard bottling is 700ml, which is the primary format available in most markets.

Is Premier Cru Murcian Lemon worth the price? It positions as a premium expression within the Bombay Sapphire lineup, sitting above the core London Dry and below ultra-premium craft gins. The single-origin Fino lemons, hand-peeling process, and higher 47% ABV justify its step up from the standard bottling for drinkers who value traceable, ingredient-driven gin.

Why Premier Cru Murcian Lemon?

The defining differentiator here is specificity — not just "citrus gin" but a spirit anchored to a single late harvest of Fino lemons from one region of Spain, hand-picked and hand-peeled at peak ripeness. That focus earned the expression a 94-point rating from Distiller, placing it among the highest-scored gins in Bombay Sapphire's portfolio. The 47% ABV gives it enough structure to drive cocktails without losing its identity, while the vapor infusion method ensures the lemon oils arrive intact rather than cooked. For anyone who finds standard London Dry gins too austere or flavored gins too sweet, this expression occupies a compelling middle ground — botanical-forward, citrus-led, and genuinely distinctive.