Globally recognised as the iconic face of the award-winning television drama, Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle is producing a super-premium London dry gin inspired by botanicals from the castle’s gardens, originally planted in the ninth century by the Bishops of Winchester.
Distilled above an ancient underground water source, the Highclere Castle Gin is produced in England’s oldest gin distillery, in one of the oldest working copper gin stills dating back to the 1800’s.
With a delicate balance of juniper, lemon and orange peel and a touch of lavender, the gin celebrates Highclere’s historic estate, integrating acclaimed estate grown oats into the blend, adding a rich and flavourful palate experience that boasts a long and memorable finish.
The new bottle has been designed with the castle in mind, a tall square shape which is symbolic of the tower at Highclere. The deep purple glass recognises the family’s heritage whilst capturing the brand’s premium qualities.
Highclere Castle is owned by the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. The family’s archive recalls gin cocktails from the early 1900’s and the “Highclere Way” is a classic gin and tonic which has been enjoyed at the castle for many years, made with gin, tonic, orange peel and finished with a rosemary sprig. Juniper has grown wild on the estate since the Iron Age. The castle archivist recently discovered a reference by the 1st Earl to planting juniper on the estate, dating back to April 1811.
The Countess of Carnarvon said: “For years Highclere Castle has been renowned for its entertaining and house parties with gin and cocktails featuring through years. We therefore felt with the ever rising interest in gin, the family’s heritage, and indeed the Carnarvon’s love of the spirit, it was a natural step to make a gin with Highclere provenance.”
Adam von Gootkin, co-founder and CEO of Highclere Castle Spirits, added: “We have bottled history, beauty and a stunning land for the world to experience. This is both rare and refreshingly real.”
The Highclere Castle Gin will be distributed in restaurants, hotels, and selected retail outlets at RRP £39.99 a bottle throughout the United Kingdom.
