Cotswolds Distillery debuts Highgrove Evergreen whisky
English whisky and gin maker Cotswolds Distillery has created a single malt using barley sourced from King Charles III’s Highgrove Estate.
The new release is said to celebrate the nature, heritage, and craftsmanship of English whisky making, while capturing the essence of the country’s countryside.
Highgrove Evergreen has been crafted with provenance and sustainability in mind. It is distilled at the Cotswolds Distillery using Plumage Archer barley, a traditional heritage variety sourced from the Highgrove Estate.
As the newest addition to the distillery’s permanent range, the whisky is matured in a combination of Bourbon casks and STR (shaved, toasted, recharred) red wine casks.
Offered at 46% ABV, the single malt displays notes of orchard fruit, honeyed malt, and warm spices, complemented by a subtle sweetness from red berries imparted by the red wine casks.
Each aspect of the release tells a story, from the barley fields surrounding the estate to the cask selection at Cotswolds Distillery.
Highgrove Evergreen is presented in a gift box featuring an illustration painted by King Charles III, titled A View from the Wildflower Meadow.
The painting is a reproduction of an original watercolour by His Majesty, created in 1995 while he held the title of HRH The Prince of Wales. The scene portrays the private royal residence, Highgrove House, and its wildflower meadow, with the Cedar of Lebanon tree in the background.
Daniel Szor, founder of Cotswolds Distillery and the 378th Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, said: “When I first purchased Plumage Archer barley from the Highgrove Estate many years ago, I could never have imagined it would grow into a collaboration of this scale. To now craft a whisky that reflects our shared commitment to craftsmanship, provenance, and respect for the land is a genuine honour.
“Highgrove Evergreen marks a remarkable milestone for our distillery and for the continued evolution of the English whisky category. We look forward to sharing this release with the proud British public, and eventually with international markets as well, particularly the United States, as we set our sights on key regions for 2026.”
Highgrove Evergreen English Whisky is priced at £100 (US$131) and joins the distillery’s permanent range, reflecting an ongoing collaboration between the two parties.
Pre-orders are now available on the Cotswolds Distillery and Highgrove Gardens websites, with the official launch on 4 December.
Profits from the whisky will support The King’s Foundation in its charitable work in education and training.
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