Highclere Castle Barrel Aged London Dry Gin
Highclere Castle Barrel Aged London Dry Gin is the one-time collector's expression of the "real Downton Abbey" gin: a limited edition of just 2,000 cases, released to mark the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter and the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Highclere's estate-botanical London Dry Gin — juniper, orange peel from the castle's Victorian Orangery, lavender, lime flower, cardamom, and estate oats — was aged in French Armagnac casks plus Scotch and American whiskey barrels, and bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), 750mL. The result layers honey, smoke, and citrus over the gin's classic citrus-forward character. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV / Size: 45% ABV (90 proof); 750mL bottle
- Edition: limited to 2,000 cases; one-time release — never to be repeated
- Barrels: French Armagnac casks + Scotch and American whiskey barrels
- Base gin: 10 estate botanicals (Highclere Castle, Hampshire, England); distilled at Langley Distillery
- Profile: honey, smoke, citrus, juniper, orange peel, oak warmth
A Century of History, In Oak
In 1922, Howard Carter — funded by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon of Highclere Castle — opened the tomb of Tutankhamun, the archaeological find of the century. A century later, the 8th Earl and Countess partnered with spirit entrepreneur Adam von Gootkin to mark it with something worthy of the castle's famous entertaining: the flagship gin, already one of the world's most awarded, given a second life in Armagnac and whiskey oak. The botanicals still come from the estate — juniper that has grown there since Roman times, oranges from the Victorian Orangery, lavender from the Monks' Garden. Shop more gin or browse everything from Highclere Castle at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Per press and review consensus: the classic Highclere citrus-forward gin — juniper, orange peel, lime flower — deepened by the barrel time into notes of honey, gentle smoke, and citrus, with oak warmth rounding the edges. The estate oats' creamy finish carries through, now with added barrel richness.
How to Enjoy
On the rocks to let the honey-and-smoke barrel character show, or in a barrel-aged Negroni where the oak depth does real work. Collectors will note: 2,000 cases, never to be released again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this gin barrel aged?
To commemorate the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter and the 5th Earl of Carnarvon — a centenary edition of Highclere Castle Gin, rested in French Armagnac casks and Scotch and American whiskey barrels.
Is Highclere Castle the Downton Abbey castle?
Yes — Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England is the real-life estate where Downton Abbey was filmed, and the gin is a partnership between the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and Adam von Gootkin, launched in 2019.
How many bottles of the Barrel Aged Gin were made?
2,000 cases — a one-time release that will never be repeated, making it a genuine collector's bottle.
A centenary in a bottle — order Highclere Castle Barrel Aged Gin from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.