One of the most influential Scottish families in the art of distillation, Hendrick’s Gin is the result of a unique blend of historic stills, never-before-used botanicals, and a distinctive aesthetic. Its iconic matte black glass bottle, inspired by Victorian-era apothecary flasks, immediately captures attention. To complete the picture, a creative and unconventional communication style.
Hendrick’s is not just a gin: it is the brand that revolutionized the industry, marking the beginning of a new golden age for contemporary gin.
In 1988, Charles Gordon, great-grandson of William Grant, decided to go against the grain of the time, with the idea of creating a gin with greater depth and complexity than any other then on the market. The family company, William Grant & Sons, was already renowned for producing Scotch whisky, particularly the single malts Glenfiddich and Balvenie, boasting a solid reputation since 1887. However, there was a desire to diversify, modernize, and explore new markets.
The production site for this new project was identified in the Girvan distillery in Scotland, one of the group’s flagship facilities. Founded in 1963 in South Ayrshire by William Grant & Sons, the distillery specialized in producing grain whisky for blends and occasionally single grain. Today, it is capable of producing over 110 million liters of alcohol per year. The task of developing the new gin was entrusted to Lesley Gracie, originally from Northern England. With a background in pharmaceutical chemistry, Lesley began her career in the pharmaceutical industry, but her passion for natural aromas, plants, and chemical processes led her into the world of distillation. After 11 years of experimentation with botanicals, seeds, roots, and fruits, the definitive formula was achieved in 1999.
The result was Hendrick’s Gin, a mix of thirteen botanicals, both classic and original: yarrow, coriander, juniper, chamomile, caraway seeds, cubeb berries, elderflower, orange and lemon peel, angelica root, and orris root, completed with Damask rose petals and cucumber. The gin is produced in small batches of just 450 liters at a time. The production process is unique and complex: the same botanicals are distilled separately in two different stills.
In the first, a small Bennett still, the botanicals are left to infuse with neutral alcohol and water for 24 hours before distillation, producing a rich, oily spirit with intense notes of juniper, citrus, and earthy nuances.
In the second still, the Carter-Head, the process is different: alcohol and water are introduced into the still, while the botanicals are placed in an aromatic basket at the top. In this way, the alcoholic vapors extract the more delicate aromas without boiling the ingredients, creating a lighter, sweeter, and more floral spirit. The two distillates are then blended in a secret proportion, and only shortly before bottling is Hendrick’s signature aroma added: natural essences of Damask rose petals and cucumber.
Successfully launched in the United States in 2000 and later introduced in the UK in 2003, as gin demand continued to grow, so did the story of Hendrick's Gin. In 2008, the brand surpassed 100,000 cases sold. By 2012, global sales had reached 364,000 cases, and the gin was distributed in over 70 countries.
In 2016, work began on a major expansion of the distillery, with an estimated investment of £13 million, culminating in the construction of the Hendrick’s Gin Palace, inaugurated in October 2018. This extraordinary creative hub includes:
• a botanical laboratory for research and development,
• a thematic library,
• guest and expert accommodations,
• an auditorium,
• an outdoor service area,
• a gin bar,
• two distillation buildings, which doubled production capacity, now equipped with two Carter-Head stills and four Bennett stills, including the original ones from the old Hendrick’s distillery,
• and three greenhouses: a large one dedicated to events and two smaller ones for botanical experimentation, one with Mediterranean plants and the other designed to simulate a tropical rainforest.
Trivia: The two original Hendrick’s stills were purchased at auction by Charles Gordon in 1966:
• a rare Carter-Head still, made by John Dore & Co. in 1948, of which only a few were built;
• and a small copper pot still signed Bennett, Sons & Shears, dating back to 1860.
The latter was originally used at the Marshall Taplow distillery in East London.
Both stills remained dismantled in a warehouse for nearly 30 years before being restored and brought back into operation, becoming the beating heart of Hendrick’s Gin production.
