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The Hendrick’s Gin Distillery in Scotland is a Playground for Experimentation, Invention, and Curiosity

The Hendrick’s Gin Distillery in Scotland is a Playground for Experimentation, Invention, and Curiosity October 10, 2018
The Hendrick's Gin Palace in Scotland. Photo courtesy of William Grant & Sons.

Located in the historic county of Ayrshire, Scotland, the Hendrick’s Gin Palace is as resplendent distilling home that has been artfully and magnificently expanded to meet the global demand for Hendrick’s, which is unusually infused with essences of cucumber and roses. As an engine of innovation, it is an institution dedicated to exploration and discovery where Hendrick’s Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, has the creative freedom to experiment and conceive new Hendrick’s variants, as well as being the distilling home for the brand.

This spirit of invention carries through to the expansion. The distillery has doubled its capacity to meet demand and the extraordinary facilities that are now available to Lesley allow her to truly unleash her innate creative proclivities.

The Hendrick’s Gin Palace features a mysterious and enchanting walled garden which leads to a magnificent and imposing Victorian inspired palm house. This is flanked by two botanical hot houses used to cultivate a plethora of unusual botanicals and flora from around the world. There is the inner sanctum that is Lesley’s laboratory which features a curious flavour library, a lecture theatre that encourages scholarly learnings and a suitably stylish bar. There are also two new still houses.

The Victorian inspired palm house, and botanical hot houses. Photo courtesy of William Grant & Sons.

The Hendrick’s family of stills has flourished and now stands at a proud six – four Bennett stills including the original antique copper pot still hailing from 1860 and three precise replicas. There are also two Carter Heads, including one original constructed in 1948 and one exact reproduction.  

William Grant & Sons, the family-owned independent global spirts company, invested £13m in this expansion. Innovation has always been in the brand’s DNA. It spearheaded the global gin boom, and continues to lead the super-premium gin category.

Lesley Gracie, the master distiller for Hendrick’s, said: “I’ve been distilling Hendrick’s for almost twenty years, and during that time, my team and I have had the opportunity to explore and experiment on a small scale.  However, I’m thrilled and excited to take full advantage of our wonderful new distillery and begin working on a line of experimental liquids, some of which will hopefully blossom into future releases and potential new expressions of Hendrick’s.” – GM

“The Hendrick’s Gin Palace in its design

and experience is intended to inspire

curiosity, open minds and serve as a

platform for invention.”

— Pamela Selby, Global Brand Director for Hendrick’s

Inside the Hendrick's Gin Palace. Photo courtesy of William Grant & Sons.
Lesley Gracie- Master Distiller, Hendrick's. Photo courtesy of William Grant & Sons.

Hendrick’s Gin Palace
Girvan Distilery
Girvan
Ayreshire
KA26 9PT

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