‘Vegan’ charity gin launches in UK

A former accountant has released a new “handmade”, “vegan” gin that will donate half of all profits to international wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation.

Indian Sun Premium Gin will donate half of its profits to the Born Free Foundation

Indian Sun Premium Gin, founded by Matt Hepplewhite, has been distilled by John Walters and includes botanicals such as juniper, coriander, fresh citrus zests, crushed almonds and proprietary herbs, which are distilled alembic swan-neck copper pots.

Half of the profits from Indian Sun sales will be given to the Born Free Foundation, with a particular focus on elephants. The charity is currently working to found Europe’s “first” elephant sanctuary.

Hepplewhite said: “The way we treat elephants is deplorable. From killing them for their tusks, to chaining them up in captivity, to forcing them to perform stunts in circuses and beating them when they can’t.

“I think when future generations look back at the way we treated them, they’ll be ashamed of us.”

Hepplewhite also hopes to “remind people how good gin can be” through the premium gin brand, and grow the product to be the “biggest gin in the world” in order to “give more money to Born Free than it knows what to do with”.

“We are extremely excited and grateful to be chosen as the sole beneficiary of Indian Sun,” said Helen Usher, senior marketing executive for the Born Free Foundation.

“It is not often that a partner would be so very generous as to donate 50% of their profits to our cause, especially one so beautifully crafted and which already has so much industry work to protect and conserve elephants and other species worldwide.”

Bottled at 40% abv, Indian Sun Premium Gin is available from Master of Malt at an RRP of £29.95 per 700ml bottle, as well as numerous UK on-trade bars including Nightjar, Merchant House and The London Gin Club.