That Bulldog Spirit – Q & A With Anshuman Vohra of Bulldog Gin

By Chilled Magazine

Chilled hangs out with Anshuman Vohra, founder and CEO of Bulldog Gin, and discover his life-long passion for gin, his admiration for his hero, the original British Bulldog, Sir Winston Churchill, and his mission to revolutionize the gin category.

Bulldog Gin Copa

Bulldog Gin Copa

You left your former career as an investment banker to become owner of a spirits company. What is your background in the liquor industry?

I had zero background in the business side of the industry prior to creating BULLDOG (beyond being an avid consumer of gin). I started drinking gin and tonics with my father and never really looked back. Beyond the deep history of gin, I always liked that gin had several botanicals within it and wanted to bring my own exotic palate to bear in a gin.

Tell us about the name Bulldog Gin and about your admiration for Sir Winston Churchill.

I have admired WC since a young age, probably when I first studied WWII. He was a tremendous political entrepreneur, relentless and incredibly witty. And, most importantly, his ability to inspire others is legendary. During the War, the “Bulldog Spirit” was born in the UK, engendered out of the necessity for inner strength, resolve, character, perseverance and courage under fire (literally and figuratively). It is that British “Bulldog Spirit” from which BULLDOG Gin derives its name.

Anshuman Vohra

Anshuman Vohra

Bulldog is one of the fastest growing premium gin brands. How does Bulldog Gin distinguish itself from the other gin brands on the market today?

Correction: according to IWSR, we are the fastest growing premium gin brand worldwide for brands doing >50k 9L cases annually J We have worked quite hard to achieve that.

On the product side, BULLDOG is a London Dry Gin and that is where our similarity to some of the other large brands cease. Beyond that, we have the most distinctive blend of botanicals ever assembled in a gin (12 botanicals from 8 countries), which we source from the same location every year (to great expense) to ensure consistency of climate and soil. We are also quadruple distilled and use the purest sources of British wheat and water to make BULLDOG at a distillery that has experience crafting gin for 250 years. The aforementioned allow us to be incredibly versatile and mixable (as opposed to most other gins where just one botanical dominates and mixability is limited).

ON the positioning side, we have a modern bend to BULLDOG. While other gins are traditional and hark back to Victorian days, we’re inspired more by modern England (think: 007, Mods & Rockers, Carnaby Street, the British Invasion, etc.) So, this is an important element of differentiation for us in addition to being supremely high quality.

Anshuman Vohra Speaking

Anshuman Vohra Speaking

What would you like bartenders to know about mixing with Bulldog Gin?

That BULLDOG is the most mixable gin in the world – both for gin and tonics and for other cocktails. We really focused a lot on the aroma, balanced palate and clean, crisp, less dry finish. I even enjoy sipping in on the rocks sometimes. Also, BULLDOG is a great gin to expand the world of gin and chip away at vodka’s share – a desire I share with all mixologists. Lastly, we’re finally making a push in the USA and so bartenders all over this great land will have access to BULLDOG soon.

Bulldog Cocktails and Classics

Bulldog Cocktails and Classics

What do you think the future holds for gin in the world of mixology?

I think gin will continue to be the leader in the world of mixology as far as white spirits are concerned. I do see the newer crop of mixologists gravitating more toward more mixable gins, which can expand the playing field more easily than the traditional, higher proof, tougher to mix offerings. When trying to convince a non-gin drinker to come over to the world of gin, it’s much easier to get them with a mixable, crisp, extremely high-quality offering like BULLDOG at 40% ABV, than with a much higher proof gin with overpowering botanicals.

Bulldog Gin Bottles

Bulldog Gin Bottles

What is your favorite way to enjoy Bulldog Gin?

BULLDOG with a premium tonic, lots of ice and a lime zest. I can drink that anywhere and it always tastes the same and very refreshing.

Bulldog Gin Bottles

Bulldog Gin Bottles

Photos Courtesy of BULLDOG/Virginia Mae Rollison

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