Wednesday, March 4, 2020

HENDRICKS GIN PALACE

Contrary to what you may think, this is not code word for the Casa du Borghese. With all due respect to the Queen, Buckingham isn’t the only palace in the United Kingdom the Mistress is paying attention to.

 Roughly 400 miles northwest of Westminster, in the remote seaside Scottish town of Girvan, sits the Gin Palace—an iron-and-glass temple dedicated to the production of Hendrick’s Gin And it is now on the Mistress's radar. The palace is the perfect physical realization of the charms and oddities that make Hendrick’s Gin truly Hendrick’s—it’s a mix between a mad scientist’s laboratory, your fabulous uncle’s weekend home, and a cathedral for those who worship at the altar of gin!!!!

 Ever since its launch in 1999, Hendrick’s Gin has delighted imbibers with the unusual and the delightfully imaginative: branding based on linotype prints reminiscent of Joseph Cornell’s surrealist collages, a dark and mysterious apothecary style bottle, and the liquid itself...like nectar of the Gods....a beautifully balanced and complex gin with the signature flavors of cucumber and rose. At the time of its creation, a gin made with flavors outside of the traditional juniper profile was practically unheard of. Every ounce of gin in every bottle has been within these walls at some point.

At first glance, the distillery is both grand and modest. The somewhat unassuming box with an atrium attached to the front of the building is built from black brick and glass, reminiscent of gothic architecture and the utilitarian warehouses of the industrial revolution. Five soaring brick arches indicate the foyer of the building, the arcade inscribed with capital H's. The soaring atrium feels open and airy while cozy and intimate. Throughout the atrium are nods to the Victorian era: greenhouses, seating areas with fringed lamps, bookcases filled with curios and Hendrick’s bottles, taxidermy peacocks, and quirky garden follies. Just behind the greenhouse foyer are three of the original distillery’s stills prominently on display: two Bennett Stills, and one Carter-Head Still, encased in glass in a large room painted inky black and topped with a stained-glass rosette window decorated with roses and cucumbers. 


Appropriately, for a place determined to subvert all expectations of what a mass-production distillery ought to look like, the inner sanctum of the Hendricks operation plays host to a highly-skilled small team of less than ten. However, what they lack in number is amply made up for in production: every single drop of Hendricks, enjoyed anywhere in the world, has been distilled within these walls.
Gracie along with Global Ambassador, Ally Martin.


Lesley Gracie is the Mistress of the Gin Palace and  is the creator behind the world-leading Hendrick’s Gin, which hasn't changed it's recipe in over 30 years, and it's expanding range,  and has been at the heart of the gin renaissance for over 40 years. She also crafted their first ultra-low alcohol, Atopia and a new absinthe, the result of years of experimentation. .Alongside their previous master distiller at the time, Lesley trialled hundreds of combinations, before settling on a complex mix of 11 botanicals and cucumber and rose essence..
And the rest, they say, is history. Two decades on and Lesley still oversees the distillation of every drop of Hendrick's, which is done in small batches of 500 litres at a time.As well as doubling capacity, The stunning Gin Palace gives Lesley the chance to exercise some major creativity and experiment with plants and flowers impossible to cultivate otherwise on Scottish soil.While the palace is only open by invitation only, and not the general public, I'm sure it will be a matter of time till I go to see this magnificent creation. I have befriended two ambassadors of the brand on Instagram, the Dying Dandy, and The Young Mr Flanagan.


I hope working through these two gents not only will I get to go see the palace one day, but Young Mr Flanagan is also filling me in on where to get Gracie's newest creation... Amazonia Gin. And leave it to Gracie to make it all worth while too.

Just don't any of you tell her just how thirsty the Mistress can get!!!!! Maybe I will go on to become the first drag Global Ambassador!!!And a HUGE thank you to Leslie Gracie for this delicious, intoxing libation. She has no idea how I enjoy it so.

37 comments:

  1. Yes! Boozing with a purpose!
    And this is a fantastic building. A palace, indeed!

    XOXO

    P.S. the fun we would have sipping some cocktails while we cackle tearing apart IMPOTUS!

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    1. And you just know we'd look smashing in our gin dandy looks. I just hope we behave.

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  2. (lifts her bluecoat gin gimlet in your direction) I'll support our local distillery, honey.

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  3. Gin was the Queen Mother's favourite tipple, apparently.

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    1. that's probably why she lived to age 101! here I come, 100!

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    2. it's true. the mistress is really already 115.

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    3. 115 and never sick! It has to be the gin.

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  4. I'm not a gin drinker, but I'll do my part to get a tree planted!

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  5. I have a feeling one day in the future there will be a plaque dedicated to you for nearly restoring the entire rainforest single handedly! Joking sweetie pie, interesting post!

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    1. no ,no...I think that your correct steven, if there already isn't one. you should see the Hendricks and other gins at the casa du Borghese.

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    2. Steven I think you might be right in this case. LMAO!!!!

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  6. big rambling estate, houseboys, a distiller...tons of gin. you mean this isn't the casa?!?!?!?

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  7. I know where our summer vacation is going to be!!!! That place is amazing! It represents the Hendricks line very well. It to me, really is the best tasting gin.

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  8. The first gin, Hendricks I ever had by accident.... and i loved it ever since. It is by far the most smooth and most distinctive gin there is. If you get invited, can I go along with you? This place looks quite stunning and quite special for the great brand. Grist post.

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  9. This place and it's process is done with such care and passion and you can tell. I have heard of this place, but had no idea it was real. Like the libation, every detail is looked upon. I have several gins in my collection...but Hendricks by far, the best tasting and most unusual gin ever, period

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  10. Stunning! But your not an ambassador yet?!?!? Call me shocked!

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  11. The palace is so you! I think we should start a Go Fund Me page and buy it for you!

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  12. It's simply beautiful. Stunning place, really! ^.^

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  13. Now that’s the way to manufacture...um craft a libation. And the way the stills appear to float is interesting. It all adds up to an amazing experience. I have it on good authority that you have regularly scheduled deliveries and are considering adding a loading dock to the casa.

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  14. Then they make it better by getting a new tree planted in the Amazon. By now there should be a small forest dedicated to you. ;-)

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  15. Ah, you have found your particular Nirvana, Mistress (formality is required here). I have a great fondness for gin, but it has forsaken me. It hates me, so I switched to worshipping at the altar of Bacardi. Now, it's water and diet soda because of meds. These pictures are gorgeous.

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    1. Nirvana indeed!!!! When I kick the bucket, just put me in a Hendrick's bottle and place me in the palace somewhere.

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  16. The Countess Borghese of Hendricks has a rather nice ring to it.

    That place is one of the most stunning distilleries i have ever seen.

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  17. Look at the bike rack in the top picture. Brings me back to the 1890s.

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    1. And if one is there...you can ride them Kirk.

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  18. When you get the invitation, ask if a dozen friends can tag along. It is good stuff.

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  19. Imagine slogging all the way to the bleak northwest of Scotland, with a thirst on, only to find your invitation had been lost in the post? Jx

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    1. I think our reputations of gin drinkers and connoisseurs, would get us in darling.

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  20. A hidden gem! Who knew?!?! Gorgeous, delicious, gin and what a fabulous, fabulous atmosphere. I can only guess Leslie Gracie is beyond charming. Mistress, you would be right at home as one of those gin dandies!

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  21. Heaven on earth!!!!! I never knew any of this about Hendrick's. I also think you'd make a very handsome Hendrick's ambassador. I love the interior of that place.

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  22. I don't drink gin bu after seeing this place I might have to start! STUNNING!

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  23. Great write up...why do I suddenly crave a gin and tonic???

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  24. WOW!!!! That is beyond cool. They seem to really take the experience from start to end really special. What a great company. I have yet try Hendricks...but upon your urging....

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  25. Orange Foolius wishes he had a place as swanky and classy as this. Wow!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!