Gin Made at the ‘Real-Life’ Downton Abbey Makes Waves in US Market
Highclere Castle Gin is produced at the Highclere Estate, the filming location for hit British historical drama television series “Downton Abbey.” (Photo: Highclere Castle)
Highclere Castle Gin is experiencing increased U.S. sales “well above national norms” following recent distributor partnerships, The Spirits Business reported on Friday.
Highclere Castle Gin is produced by the Highclere Estate, owned by Lord Carnarvon, the godson of Queen Elizabeth II. The castle, famously known as the “real-life” Downton Abbey due to the Emmy award-winning TV series being filmed there, saw the gin’s release in 2019 after two years of development led by entrepreneur Adam von Gootkin and Lord and Lady Carnarvon.
According to The Spirits Business, the U.S. emerged as the largest market for Highclere Castle Gin, boasting sales that surpassed projections by 36%. Ohio was reported to have seen a 65% increase in sales, while the Maryland/DC market experienced a surge of 150%.
The brand recently established a partnership with Connecticut Distributors Inc. and Green Light Distribution in Texas and Florida. Furthermore, it has obtained approval for placement in 100 Virginia stores.
Anticipating continued success, Highclere Castle Gin looks forward to leveraging new partnerships with distributor chains in New Jersey and California. Presently, the gin is accessible in 28 U.S. markets and nine countries. Expansion plans include launching in Italy, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America.
Highclere Castle also intends to roll out a 50-ml format for U.S. hotel distribution later in the year, The Spirits Business reported.
Inspired by and utilizing botanicals grown on the Highclere Estate, the award-winning London dry gin offers tasting notes from juniper, lavender, oranges, lime flower and the acclaimed estate-grown oats.
“We have botanicals grown on the estate, including lavender planted by the Bishops of Winchester in the 1600s, juniper, oranges that have grown in the Victorian-era orangery — even the oats planted on the estate used to sell to very high-end thoroughbred racehorses, including the Queen’s racehorses,” von Gootkin shared in an interview with WAG Magazine.
In November 2022, Highclere Castle released a limited-edition barrel-aged gin in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb. The offering spotlighted how Howard Carter, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, left Highclere Castle for Egypt in 1907 and later discovered King Tut’s Tomb in 1922.
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