Belvoir Gin Engine Yard, Grantham NG32 1PA, United Kingdom
Belvoir Gin emulate the Fascinating elements
BELVOIR CASTLE GIN
If you’re part of the Royal Family, chances are you could probably use a nice, stiff drink right about now. Alexandra Fraser is here to help.
A drink for all seasons: Drinks fit for royalty, including a Duchess’s gin and the Queen’s top tipple.
Alexandra Fraser January 10, 2020
A gin fit for a Duchess
Here at Country Life it seems like a new gin crosses our paths every single week. This is not necessarily a bad thing; gin is, after all, nectar of the gods and should be treated with the accompanying respect. However, it does mean that something special has to pop into our field of vision for us to stop and take note.
Like, perhaps, a ‘regal’ gin. And ‘regal’ was the word given to artisan gin distillers Brentingby by Her Grace The Duchess of Rutland, CEO of Belvoir Castle, when they set about creating Belvoir Gin.
The brief was to create a gin to bring about visions of stone corridors and castellated coronets, Belvoir fulfils its brief to a (G&)T, just in time for Belvoir to sub in for Windsor Castle in the filming of The Crown‘s second series.
Country Life’s wonderful architecture editor John Goodall described Belvoir as ‘one of the most fantastical creations of the Regency era’ when he visited to discover the history of the castle. Set on a hilltop, the stunning views from Belvoir stretch across three counties of rolling countryside.
This vantage point leant Belvoir its name (a contract of the French words for a beautiful view), bequeathed to the site during the Norman Conquest, by a particularly close associate of William the Conqueror, Robert de Tosny.
Belvoir Gin emulate the Fascinating elements / The Guard Room
The Guard Room, with its split levels and arcades, is a spectacular Gothic interior. The Grand Staircase is visible beyond.
The castle as it stands today owes its visage almost entirely to the romantic notions of Elizabeth, Duchess of Rutland, who upon marrying the Duke took upon herself to remodel her new home. Begun in 1801, the designs were completed after almost two decades of work and cost £200,000 – an astonishing sum for the times.
Belvoir Gin emulate the Fascinating elements / The Louis XIV-style Elizabeth Saloon
The Louis XIV-style Elizabeth Saloon is Belvoir’s supreme interior. It deliberately evokes the order of pre-Revolutionary France.
What makes Belvoir particularly special is that it’s still home to the Manners family, who took over management of the castle (then all but a ruin) in the early 16th century. Subsequent generations of the Manners family have taken care of the castle and surrounding estate ever since.
The current Duchess is an example of what wonders can be worked through hard word and dedication – the castle has been gently and elegantly nudged into the 21st century without losing a single pinch of its Regency magic. And now she can sit back and enjoy the fruits of her work while sipping her own gin — which is floral, vanilla-ry and pleasantly flagrant.
Belvoir Gin emulate the Fascinating elements /©Belvoir/Jonathan Flint Photography
It’s also — just like the castle — both strong (at 43%abv) and beautifully presented, in a gilded bottle which holds a surprise: Belvoir Castle can be seen on the back of the label through the glass. It’s just the sort of gin you’d expect from a Duchess.
Belvoir Gin emulate the Fascinating elements
Crowning a hill, Belvoir Castle’s turrets and towers rise over the Vale of Belvoir like an illustration in a romantic fairy-tale. Belvoir Gin was born in November 2019 by Her Grace the Duchess of Rutland. A British crafted gin in which the Duchess sought to emulate the finest elements of the castle. The embossed label has been designed to echo the chinoiserie wallpaper of the eminent Chinese rooms at Belvoir, whilst the round bottle shape resembles the magnficent central tower designed by the leading Gothic romantic architect of his day, James Wyatt for whom the fourth and present castle was designed.
Belvoir Gin emulate the Fascinating elements
Appearance: Crystal Clear.
Aroma: Piney juniper and liquorice with zesty orange, balsawood, chamomile and faint vanilla.
Taste: Dry, Pinery juniper, rounding woody nuttiness and zesty orange with floral chamomile and subtle sweet vanilla.
Aftertaste: dry piney finish with mild peppery spice, faint floral chamomile, vanilla.
Overall: Classically London Dry styled with piney juniper, coriander, angelica, organs peel and liquorice, but with delicate notes of fig, vanilla and chamomile setting it apart and making it suitably stately.
Belvoir Gin emulate the Fascinating elements
Explore the beauty of the gardens at Belvoir Castle
Appreciate the Breathtaking Gardens
Belvoir Gin emulate the Fascinating elements of the Castle
Opening times
During open days, the Castle Gardens are open from 9.30am – 5pm. The gates close at 5pm, so please allow adequate time to vacate the premises.
Click here to view our calendar.
Belvoir Gin emulate the Fascinating elements
Food & drink
The Vale View Café is the perfect pit stop before you explore the gardens. Savour hot drinks, snacks and even a sweet treat.
Click here to view the full menu.
Once you’ve had your adventure, head to The Engine Yard Retail Village for a spot of retail therapy or a bite to eat at the Belvoir Bistro.
Accessibility
The gardens are located on a hillside and can be tricky to negotiate. Mobility scooters and power chairs can navigate the paved Rose Gardens, but the gradient and gravel paths can make this hard work for standard wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Click here to find out more.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome within our grounds, however, they must be kept on a lead at all times. Unfortunately, dogs are not welcome within the Castle.
Car parking
Car parking is available, and charges apply. Please click here to find out more.
Bookings
Belvoir Gin emulate the Fascinating elements / The castle
Children under the age of 3 do not require admissions tickets, and child admission tickets apply for ages 3 – 16.
Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable. We can exchange your tickets for another day if you’re unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
For our full Terms & Conditions, including refund policies, please click here.
For bookings of groups of 15+, please contact groups@belvoircastle.com
Free entry applies to:
- Friends of Belvoir membership holders
- Historic Houses Members
- RHS Members (Garden Only)
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