Highclere Castle Gin took center stage on June 23 at Rosecliff in Newport alongside a series of events welcoming Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle. The castle is famous for its role as the set for “Downton Abbey,” as well as for its imagery on the purple bottle of the namesake gin. The eighth and current Countess of Carnarvon is the best-selling author of five books, a historian and international speaker. The wife of Geordie, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, she began her career as an author by writing the guidebooks to Highclere and is committed to restoring the castle’s buildings and grounds. Lady Carnarvon entertained a sold-out audience with descriptions of life and work at Highclere Castle, as well as the experience of hosting a major television and film production. Highclere Castle Gin, which debuted in New England markets in 2019, was founded by Connecticut spirits entrepreneur Adam von Gootkin and Lord and Lady Carnarvon. “It’s just wonderful to be back in Newport at the Rosecliff Mansion, sharing something of the spirit of Highclere Castle with our Highclere Castle Gin featured cocktails. We all love a great cocktail to celebrate a fun event and it’s an honor for Highclere Castle Gin to be part of this glorious fundraiser with the Preservation Society of Newport County,” said Lady Carnarvon. The super-premium London Dry Gin is made with botanicals from the iconic castle’s herb garden, using juniper, orange peel, lime flower, lavender and Highclere’s estate-grown oats. The Highclere Castle Spirits team, whose U.S. headquarters is based in Essex, Connecticut, joined Lady Carnarvon throughout the day-into-evening events.

Photos by David Hansen.