The Royal Horticultural Society has teamed up with North Yorkshire based Harrogate Tipple to create a range of RHS-branded spirits.
The new drinks, which include premium gin, whisky and rum, were launched at the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show last week, with the bottles featuring imagery that, like the spirits, capture Harrogate Tipple’s artisan ideals along with the inspirational aims of the gardening charity.
Steven Green, founder of Harrogate Tipple said: “We were thrilled to be asked to develop a series of spirits that reflected the excellence and love of British gardens that is the hallmark of the RHS. It’s been a delight to work with the UK’s favourite gardening charity who are a strong supporter of British craft companies producing food and drink.”
The RHS botanicals were a theme of a special ‘creation day’ of the RHS/Harrogate Tipple partnership, which took place at the company’s Ripley Castle Estate at the end of 2021.
Taking inspiration from RHS Flower Shows, the choice of botanicals included offerings from all five RHS gardens, from which RHS representatives brought ingredients including fruits, rosehips, flowers, berries, and scented foliage and worked alongside Harrogate Tipple’s multi-award-winning Master Distiller, Tom Nichol to oversee the entire range.
Cathy Snow, licensing manager at the RHS, added: “Our intention was partnering with a distillery that combined a true artisan approach with the creativity and excellence that would make RHS gin, whisky and rum stand out. Not an easy task, but in Harrogate Tipple we have found the ideal partner for a range of spirits that are both memorable and delicious.”
The new range of spirits includes and RHS Rum which features locally sourced Yorkshire blossom honey and 100% Harrogate Spring Water along with notes of cherry, vanilla and smoked oak.
The new Gin includes fresh botanicals, handpicked from the 750-year-old gardens at the Ripley Castle Estate paired with 100% Harrogate Spring Water and fresh lavender and blended
with citrus notes from pink grapefruit and orange peel, whilst the new RHS Whisky has been expertly crafted from the finest malts and grains grown in the UK giving a smooth, rich taste with depth and warmth.
The full range will then be available from the beginning of June at independent retailers across the country as well as online through the Harrogate Tipple and RHS websites and at RHS Gardens nationwide.
For more information visit Harrogate Tipple’s website www.harrogatetipple.com