In the southwestern English city of Plymouth, inside a former 15th‑century monastery where the air still seems to carry echoes of incense and seafaring history, the oldest working distillery in the country is preparing something new. Plymouth Gin, owned by Pernod Ricard, will launch a honey‑flavored gin next month—its first foray into a trend that’s been quietly reshaping the spirits world.
The new release draws on Plymouth’s original 1793 recipe, layering in natural honey flavour to create a profile that marries golden honey and soft vanilla with the brand’s signature juniper and citrus finish. Bottled at 41.2% ABV, the Plymouth Honey is described as “delicate and smooth,” a nod to both the restraint of the distiller’s hand and the gentle sweetness of its namesake ingredient.
“Honey has surged in popularity across many spirit categories, however, very few have taken on the challenge in gin,” says Toni Ingram, global brand director for Plymouth Gin. “We have, and we are sure it will create a buzz.” She frames the launch as a response to consumers “increasingly interested in exploring innovative flavour profiles,” while staying grounded in the timeless taste that defines Plymouth Gin.
The bottle itself leans into the theme. Made from jet‑black glass and dressed in a gold‑and‑black label illustrated with a honeybee, honeycomb, and dripping honey, it feels less like a container and more like a keepsake. The symbolism is deliberate—a tribute to the ingredient that inspired the liquid, and perhaps to the industriousness of the distillery’s own craft.
Set to retail at €42 (US$47), the new expression joins five other gins in Plymouth’s portfolio. Several of these took home Gold medals at The Gin Masters 2024 – First Tasting, underscoring the brand’s position in a competitive global market.
Plymouth Honey also lands in the context of a broader conversation about flavored gin. Just last week, Murielle Dessenis, Pernod Ricard’s vice‑president of marketing for global gin, told The Spirits Business that flavored gin is “here to stay,” pointing to shifting tastes and the appeal of new sensory experiences.
For a brand that’s been distilling for over two centuries, the move into honey isn’t about chasing a trend so much as expanding the definition of what Plymouth Gin can be. In a category crowded with novelty, the challenge will be whether this blend of history and innovation can do more than create a buzz—it must endure.
For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
