High class act: Highclere Castle Gin
Highclere Castle Gin combines American entrepreneurship with the undeniable allure of ‘the real’ Downton Abbey, honouring heritage and utilising its garden’s botanical treasures.
Since 2010, Highclere Castle has set the stage for the Downton Abbey TV series and movies, capturing the hearts of more than 400 million people.
One of those charmed was Connecticut-born entrepreneur and distiller with British and German heritage, Adam von Gootkin. With a family history in spirits dating to the 1800s, Von Gootkin was captivated by the castle’s history.
“I think we live in a highly manufactured world, where some spirits are created in marketing boardrooms,” he explains. “I want to be part of things with a sense of place, time, people and heritage around them.
“Highclere Castle is not just a fully functioning farm; it has hosted many of the world’s most renowned and fascinating individuals, a tradition that continues today with Lord and Lady Carnarvon. To me, the estate had the perfect provenance and terroir to create a spirit that is deeply authentic.”
Launched in 2019, Highclere Castle Gin represents the soul of the castle, showcasing its garden’s flavours as a toast to the castle’s grandeur and celebrating British aristocracy’s heritage. Made in partnership with the Langley Distillery, the recipe took one and a half years to perfect and has been recognised with more than 200 international awards.
“Gin is often treated as an afterthought commodity produced while waiting for other spirits to age. We only make gin and have a place we come from and a reason to exist. There’s an inevitability around Highclere Castle Gin that we brought to life,” Von Gootkin explains.
But like many brands launched before Covid-19, the firm has faced many obstacles, including Brexit challenges, inflation, strikes, and, most recently, 10% tariffs.
Instead of concentrating on the turmoil, Von Gootkin celebrates the driving forces behind the brand: “It’s been a very tumultuous time to launch a brand. For me, the highlight has always been the people: from the people at the castle to our amazing investors, and Lord and Lady Carnarvon, to our team at our headquarters in the US – and, most importantly, the consumers whose lives we’ve touched, creating great memories because that’s what it’s all about. Our hard work and the quality of our gin are reflected in our social media, where our channels reach around one million followers.”
Highclere Castle Gin boasts a citrus-driven profile with a primary focus on the US market, where it hopes to expand its availability beyond the current 28 states.
The gin is also available in eight international markets and can be accessed through e-commerce in the UK via Amazon. Furthermore, Highclere is the featured gin on Viking Cruises. Later this year, the brand will launch at the LCBO liquor stores in Ontario, Canada, and make its Latin American debut in Nicaragua, while hoping to reach the Australian market in the future.
“We are always looking for new distributors, retailers, and bartenders to help us spread the word,” concludes Von Gootkin.
After a year in development, Highclere Castle Gin is celebrating its success by launching a new flavoured gin, Peach Rose, made with peaches from the castle’s garden and oils extracted from roses created in Lady Carnarvon’s name. Watch this space for the new product launch.
Follow the brand on social media at @adamvongootkin and @highclerecastlegin
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