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Ex-Tanqueray master distiller debuts Downton Abbey gin and whisky
Ahead of the release of the Downton Abbey film, English distillery Harrogate Tipple, part-owned by Tom Nichol, has created a new gin and blended whisky inspired by the popular historical period drama.
The Downton Abbey-inspired gin and whisky will launch in the UK and US
Available in limited batches in the UK and US, the officially licensed Downton Abbey-inspired spirits will launch ahead of the premier of the new film next month.
Craft distillery Harrogate Tipple is co-owned by Tom Nichol, the former master distiller of Diageo-owned Tanqueray gin. The site also produces Harrogate Gin and Harrogate Rum.
Nichol developed the gin and whisky at the North Yorkshire distillery, which is located between the towns of Ripon, York and Harrogate, where the fictional Downton Abbey estate is set.
“We are excited to bring Downton Abbey to life for fans of the series with a range of authentic, high-quality spirits that evokes the flavours and style of the show’s post-Edwardian era,” said Steven Green, founder of Harrogate Tipple.
“We are the only distillery in the fictional Downton Abbey region, and we also have an ethos of super-local provenance and a ‘quality-first’ approach to distilling that Tom’s half a century of experience brings to all our products.”
Harrogate Tipple creates its products with botanicals from the gardens and the Victorian hothouse of the 750-year-old Ripley Castle estate, which is home to the distillery.
The gin is made with ingredients that “evoke the era of Downton” including ginger, lime and rose water. Both expressions have an abv of 43% and are made using Harrogate Spring Water.
Harrogate Tipple has also appointed New York-based importer MHW to secure stockists in the US ahead of the film’s release.
The Downton Abbey Gin and Blended Whisky will be priced at £35 each per 700ml in the UK and US$49.99 per 750ml in the US.
Nichol has previously collaborated with The City of London Distillery on a gin in honour of architect Sir Christopher Wren and created an expression with Kansas-based distillery J Rieger & Co.