Back in 2004, Yongama Skweyiya and Francois Bezuidenhout met in a tiny university residence of Huis Marais, at Stellenbosch. A friendship developed that would one day lead to the ideation of a premium spirits brand, Pimville Gin.
Pimville Drinks Co. Inspiration
The inspiration for Pimville Gin came from the story of James Howard Pim, who emigrated from Ireland in 1890 to become a city councillor in Johannesburg.
The first of the Johannesburg townships, Pimville, was named after this remarkable man who was widely regarded as an advocate for Africans. In 1933, well-known townships like Orlando and Klipspruit joined Pimville to form what is today known as Soweto – and so Pimville Gin was born.
A little over 6 months ago, Yongama and Francois embarked on the commercial launch of Pimville Gin.
“We have been very fortunate to have received such a warm reception in the market and from our customers,” says Yongama
Tasting Notes
Pimville Gin is infused with a combination of truly African flavours. Signature botanicals of juniper, baobab, marula fruit, lemon, coriander, angelica and orris root make up the flavour profile of Pimville Gin. This flexible gin can be enjoyed in g&ts, cocktails.
The baobab fruit used in the production of Pimville Gin is sourced from small-batch farmers in Mpumalanga.
Why gin?
The Gin market in South Africa has been increasing steadily, year-on-year, for the past 5 years. Pimville Gin’s hope is that they are able to ensure such growth in consumer demand for a few more years.
South Africa has well over 250 gin brands available, and many analysts have indicated to a pending burst in this so-called bubble.
“Yet, like all other businesses, one needs to focus on one’s target niche market and serve it as best as possible, improving daily. And that is what we spend our time on,” says Yongama.
“So, to answer your simple question, in a long way, the gin market made sense because it offered really great opportunities to effectively position our brand, serving our niche market and having a globally appealing product with local ingredients. Therefore being able to be competitive in the market, as our product, becomes quite unique,” says Yongama.
With almost 9 months of warm weather in SA, it is a product that can be consumed for the majority of the year, ensuring that sales are relatively stable.
Award-winning Pimville Gin
Pimville Gin was awarded the Old Mutual Trophy for Best Distilled Gin in the 2019 Old Mutual Trophy Spirits Show. This accolade has broken down doors Pimville Gin has been knocking on over the last few months, it has solidified partnerships with their various retail and hospitality partners, and more importantly, it has proven the hypothesis they have been advocating since day one, that Pimville Gin is the best Gin in South Africa.
