Cotswolds and Highgrove launch Royal Gardens whisky

English spirits producer Cotswolds Distillery has created a single malt whisky with heritage Plumage Archer barley, grown at the Highgrove Estate.

The whisky was created from a unique vatting of Cotswolds Distillery single malt whisky, with the use of Plumage Archer barley said to yield a 'subtle but unique twist' on Cotswolds new make spirit. It was then was aged in active ex-red wine and first-fill Bourbon casks and bottled exclusively by Cotswolds Distillery on 21 October 2024. Titled Royal Gardens Single Malt Whisky, it is offered at 50% ABV and is priced at £250 (US$325) for a 70cl bottle. The release is limited to 400 bottles and is available exclusively from The Highgrove Shop at Highgrove Gardens, at Cotswolds Distillery, and online on the pair's websites. Each bottle is numbered and features a label showcasing a watercolour of The South Front, Highgrove House by His Majesty King Charles III, reproduced with permission from The King’s Foundation to Cotswolds Distillery. Dan Szor, founder of Cotswolds Distillery, said: “We are so happy with our ongoing relationship with Highgrove, which represents traditional values of British craftsmanship at its finest, and it is an honour indeed to adorn this bottling with His Majesty's beautiful painting of the Highgrove Estate.” Cotswolds Distillery and Highgrove have previously collaborated on a whisky for King Charles III’s 75th birthday, as well as an on-pack promotion to visit Highgrove Garden. The King's Foundation The King’s Foundation is the custodian of Highgrove Gardens and is responsible for opening the site to the public and generating an annual income for the charity. All profits from sales of the Royal Gardens whisky will support The King's Foundation for its charitable delivery of education and training initiatives, some of which take place at Highgrove. The King’s Foundation’s base at Highgrove accommodates education and training opportunities in furniture-making, fashion, textiles, and building craft skills. Scott Simpson, retail director at The King’s Foundation, said: "We are so excited to launch a new limited edition whisky with Cotswolds Distillery, and it’s particularly special that it has been produced using heritage barley grown on the Highgrove Estate. "The garden at Highgrove provides inspiration for all of our products, including our extensive range of food and drink made using ingredients from the garden. We are proud that all of the proceeds from Highgrove products are ploughed back into the work of The King’s Foundation and the charity’s educational delivery, which takes place on-site.’’