Aviation Gin names distillery director

Aviation Gin has appointed Hollie Stephenson as distillery director at the brand’s soon-to-be-opened production plant and visitor centre.

The Aviation Gin Distillery is scheduled to open later this year.

Located in the company’s hometown of Portland in the US, the distillery will include an interactive tasting room. Members of the public will be able to partake in tours, cocktail flights and gin tastings.

Stephenson said: “When I was presented with the opportunity to help build the new home for this iconic Portland gin, I couldn’t have been more excited.

“It has taken the hard work of so many over the past couple of years to bring this to life, and I can’t wait to open the doors and welcome in our neighbours as well as visitors to the city.”

Before joining the brand, Stephenson worked as head brewer at Guinness and was posted at the company’s only North American site.

Andrew T Chrisomalis, CEO of Davos Brands, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Hollie, an experienced industry veteran to the Aviation Gin family as we scale up our operations to continue to meet the demand from consumers all over the world for Aviation American Gin.”

Diageo is now the owner of Aviation Gin, after the drinks giant acquired Davos Brands in 2020, which co-owned Aviation Gin with actor Ryan Reynolds.

Ryan Reynolds invested in the gin brand in February 2018. The brand first launched as part of a collaboration between bartender Ryan Magarian and House Spirits Distillery in 2006. Davos Brands bought Oregon-made Aviation American Gin in 2016.