Monarch's New English Whisky Set to Make Waves
King Charles III is preparing to launch his own premium English single malt whisky just in time for the Christmas market, creating an intriguing development in the spirits world. Despite his strong Scottish connections and status as King of Scotland, the monarch's latest venture ventures into English whisky production.
The new spirit, named Highgrove Evergreen English Single Malt Whisky, will be available for purchase from December 4, with pre-orders already being accepted at £100 per bottle. The timing positions it perfectly for the lucrative festive season market.
The Royal Production Process
This exclusive whisky represents the latest collaboration between Highgrove Gardens and Cotswolds Distillery. What makes it particularly special is that the Plumage Archer barley used in production was grown on the King's Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire.
The maturation process involves an exclusive combination of bourbon and STR red wine casks, creating what the estate describes as "a rich and refined spirit layered with orchard fruits, honeyed malt, and subtle notes of red berries and spice."
At 46% ABV, the whisky offers a nose of honey and orchard fruits, while the palate delivers flavours of red berries, toasted oak and gentle spice according to the official tasting notes.
Royal Packaging and Presentation
The whisky comes presented in what's described as "a beautifully illustrated gift box" featuring King Charles's own artwork. The design showcases Highgrove House as viewed from the Wildflower Meadow, adding a personal royal touch to the packaging.
This isn't the first royal alcoholic beverage available to the public. The Highgrove estate shop already sells Balmoral Scotch, though unlike the new Highgrove malt, it's not made from the King's own barley. Instead, it's produced at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery, located just a mile from Balmoral Castle.
For those seeking more affordable royal spirits, Charles also sells traditional Scottish whisky on the Highgrove website starting at £49.95 for a 70cl bottle, though premium options like the Ballindalloch Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky command £375 for a 50cl bottle.
Financial Context and Royal Business Ventures
The whisky launch comes as the King's personal fortune has seen significant growth. According to the latest Sunday Times Rich List, Charles's wealth has increased by £30 million to £640 million in the past year, making him substantially wealthier than his late mother Queen Elizabeth, whose wealth was estimated at £370 million when she died in 2022.
The King derives income from the Duchy of Lancaster and the £1.1 billion Crown Estate, though strict rules govern his ability to profit from these assets directly. Much of this income funds his public work as sovereign and covers living costs.
Additional revenue streams have been developing through various royal estate initiatives. These include tours of Balmoral Castle and Dumfries House interiors, luxury dinners at the Castle of Mey, and potential future private events and weddings following an application to extend capacity at the Queen's Building at Balmoral.
Last year saw the introduction of champagne tours and exclusive meals at the King's table at the Castle of Mey, with accommodation at the estate's Granary Lodge, priced at £595. The castle welcomed over 20,000 visitors between May and October last year alone.
The King's investment portfolio is estimated to be worth around £125 million, while the horses he inherited from the Queen are valued at approximately £27 million.
This new whisky venture represents another chapter in the expanding commercial activities associated with royal estates, blending tradition with modern business acumen while offering the public a taste of royal lifestyle.
