A sunny day and a bright green lawn ready for croquet at the historic Ocean House in Watch Hill set the stage for the New England launch of Highclere Castle Gin on August 20. Guests welcomed the brand’s Co-founder and spokesperson Lady Fiona Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, real-life Countess to the home of the famous setting of television and film’s “Downton Abbey.” She was joined by Highclere Castle Spirits CEO and Co-founder, Adam von Gootkin, who runs the international gin brand from Essex, Connecticut. “Highclere Castle Gin is an Anglo-American enterprise, and that’s a great product endeavor to take forward,” said Lady Carnarvon during her New England visit. “This is where our company is based, with Adam, this is where it’s all going to begin from … this is where we are going to go out and, I hope, take the States by storm, from Connecticut.” An August sales team launch for state distributor Allan S. Goodman took place at The Griswold Inn on August 30. A super-premium London Dry Gin with botanicals from the castle’s herb gardens, originally planted in the ninth century by the Bishops of Winchester, its recipe uses juniper from the estate, orange peel, lime flower, lavender and Highclere’s estate-grown oats to create a unique, smooth taste. “It’s a great gin because it’s not too strong on the juniper and it’s got the hint of the botanicals,” said Lady Carnarvon. “A gin for all seasons.”

Photos 1-5 by Laura Widness and by 6-10 Michael Leung.