Chase Distillery has collaborated with Heathrow Airport to release a new GB gin which is available exclusively at the airport in World Duty Free stores.
The new expression – which is limited to 10,000 bottles – was developed as part of a six week-long Gin Festival at the airport, which started on 1 July, and underlines the growing popularity of gin in the spirits category.
According to Heathrow Airport, its gin sales increased by +36% in 2016 and it now sells more than 40 varieties, of which 96% are British made.
Exclusive GB Gin by Chase Distillery is selling for £29 (US$37) throughout the duration of the festival. Destination-inspired gin and tonic T-bags, said to be new to the UK market, are available as a gwp of every bottle of gin over £29 in participating World Duty Free stores.
The pyramid-shaped pouches contain dry blended botanicals and herbs which infuse in a gin and tonic to add colour and flavours designed to replicate those of three of the Heathrow’s top destinations. The USA G&T-bag combines red berries, hibiscus and apple to offer a sweet and rich taste, said to be perfect for pairing with a juniper-based gin. Sweden’s ‘Rose Jasmine’ flavour is best paired with a spiced gin, and the India G&T-bag complements floral gins.
Exclusive GB Gin by Chase Distillery comes in a dark green bottle, with a union flag on the front and prominent GB markings to underline the gin’s origin.
According to the family-owned Single-Estate Chase Distillery, its finest potato spirit was distilled 119 times before being transferred to the company’s ‘Ginny’ pot still. GB Gin combines selected botanicals including juniper from Macedonia and oris root from China, to balance elderflowers from the Chase farm in Herefordshire and spice from Madagascan cloves. Each batch is individually made and signed off by James Chase before being hand finished with a wax dip on the bottling line, the distillery stated.
Heathrow passengers can pre-order the gin before they travel at Boutique.Heathrow.com. The airport’s Gin Festival also features cocktails and dishes infused with the spirit in a number of restaurants and bars.
London Heathrow Retail and Service Director Chris Annetts said: “Gin is a quintessentially British drink and a really popular choice with our passengers and the Gin Festival is a great way to celebrate this fantastic spirit.
“We’re really excited for passengers to try this unique gin; combining British craftsmanship with the finest ingredients from our much loved global destinations. We hope our passengers enjoy the new, distinctive flavour as much as we have enjoyed working with Chase Distillery.”
William Chase added: “We are very proud and delighted to be working with World Duty Free and Heathrow on the Heathrow Exclusive GB Gin. We’re now in our tenth year at Chase Distillery and what better way to celebrate this than in style at Heathrow, with its passengers.”
