The spirit of Downton Abbey is alive and well at England's Highclere Castle. (Photo: Highclere Castle Gin)
With the third and final film in the "Downton Abbey" franchise fast approaching, die-hard fans now have another treat to look forward to courtesy of Highclere Castle Gin.
The spirits brand has opened sweepstakes for an exclusive trip to Highclere Castle, the eponymous estate at which the gin's botanicals are sourced and the Emmy award-winning series is filmed. One can easily imagine Maggie Smith and Jim Carter sipping gin between takes on the show, though we can't confirm this has ever actually happened.
One lucky winner will receive a three-day, two-night trip for two during which they can live up the early 20th-century fantasy. Guests will receive a tour of the 300-room castle and its expansive 5,000-acre estate alongside a cocktail party hosted by Lord and Lady Carnarvon, the estate's owners and the co-founders of Highclere Castle Gin.
Lord Carnarvon, the godson of Queen Elizabeth II, launched the brand in 2019 alongside his wife and entrepreneur Adam von Gootkin. While the spirit itself is produced at Langley Distillery, botanicals including lavender, lime flower and orange peel are grown at the Highclere gardens.
The award-winning gin does much to exude an image of aristocracy. Its flagship bottle is adorned in purple and silver, colors classically associated with royalty. In 2022, the brand unveiled its first limited-edition release in the form of a barrel-aged gin. Its golden design paid homage to the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by the fifth Earl of Carnarvon, the great-great-grandfather of the current Lord Carnarvon.
If you'd like to take a peek behind the curtain, fans are encouraged to apply at win.highclerecastlegin.com until July 30.
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