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The Welsh Whisper: How Katherine Jenkins OBE Created the World’s Most Luxurious Gin
In the world of spirits, where tradition often dictates the narrative, a new, uniquely Welsh voice is singing a note of unparalleled luxury and sophisticated craftsmanship: Cygnet Gin. Founded by renowned Welsh Mezzo Soprano Katherine Jenkins OBE, Cygnet is not just a gin brand; it is the embodiment of a dream, infused with national pride, dedicated to perfection, and rooted deeply in the valleys of Wales.
This is the story of how a classical artist transitioned from concert halls to copper stills, determined to create a spirit so smooth, so exceptional, it was truly worthy of being savored neat.
The Inspiration: Finding the Spirit of Home
The journey began in 2021 when Katherine Jenkins discovered a unique, little-known Welsh spirit distillery near her childhood home. Inspired by this connection, her vision crystalized: to create hand-crafted, ultra-premium spirits distilled in her home country, utilizing pure Welsh water.
Katherine approached the venture with the same commitment she applies to her music career, emphasizing passion, dedication, and perfection to achieve a “best in glass” experience. She designed Cygnet to appeal specifically to women, focusing intently on quality and creating something female gin lovers could truly enjoy.
Working alongside her husband, artist and social-impact filmmaker Andrew Levitas, and designer Eric Villency, Katherine meticulously focused on every detail, from the choice of botanicals to the sustainable design of the reusable glass bottles.
The Symphony of Craftsmanship: Blodwen and Welsh Water
Cygnet Distillery is firmly based in Wales, specifically in Swansea. Central to the creation of the gins is Blodwen, a 300-litre Arnold Holstein copper pot still. Katherine lovingly bestowed the name Blodwen—a heartfelt homage to the first opera ever written in the Welsh language.
The production process itself is a collaboration between traditional methods and exceptional ingredients. Master Distiller Aster and her team, along with sixth-generation distillers and brewers, use the finest grain spirit and pure Welsh water. The commitment to traditional methods and superior ingredients ensures that every drop of Cygnet Gin is unadulterated and unequivocally great tasting.
Cygnet’s commitment to Welsh excellence was recently solidified through a partnership with the historic Penderyn Copper Works Distillery in Swansea, bringing together two of Wales’s most celebrated names.
Cygnet 22: The Number of Destiny and the Secret Ingredient
The brand’s flagship expression, Cygnet 22, is steeped in personal significance for Katherine Jenkins. The name and composition are intentional: it was created in the year 2022 and uses a perfectly balanced blend of 22 botanicals. Furthermore, the number 22 holds a place close to Katherine’s heart, as she was just 22 years old when she was offered the largest recording deal in classical music history.
The list of 22 botanicals includes classics like shining juniper, coriander seed, almond, and pink grapefruit peel, alongside unique additions such as chamomile, bee pollen, lemon balm, sea salt, rose petals, hibiscus, and heather.
The true signature, however, is the Manuka honey. Katherine chose this “secret ingredient” because she has long advocated for its throat-soothing and healing properties, which are vital for her singing career.
A Taste of Texture and Luxury
The resulting liquid is celebrated for its remarkable quality, proving that Katherine’s goal of creating a gin good enough to sip neat was achieved. Judges have hailed Cygnet 22 as “deep & textured” with “harmonised aromas – delicate florals and spice” and a “well balanced palate”.
Tasting notes reveal an exquisite profile:
- Aromas of shining juniper and coriander seed lead to a perfumed, fragrant, and sweet palate.
- It exhibits a creamy texture and pleasing mouthfeel, with intense flavours, hints of chilli spice, and big anise-like notes.
- On tasting, the Manuka aroma mellows, accompanied by subtle chocolate and syrup notes, culminating in a finish offering dark chocolate and juniper hints, and a soft, honeyed sweetness reminiscent of a Bees Knees cocktail.
This dedication to superior quality has earned Cygnet 22 immense recognition, notably achieving the “Masters” award at The Spirits Business Luxury Spirits Masters 2024, an accolade it held as the sole gin to achieve the highest ranking that year.
The Pinnacle of Prestige: Cygnet 77
The pursuit of excellence continued with the launch of Cygnet 77, unveiled exclusively at Harrods on World Earth Day (April 22, 2025). Cygnet 77 represents a new era of ultra-prestige spirits, crafted specifically to be sipped neat.
Cygnet 77 takes the liquid of Cygnet 22 as its base, but elevates it further: it is rested for 12 months in Welsh whisky casks with additional Manuka honey. This meticulous approach by the 6th generation distiller results in a Barrel Aged Gin praised for its silky-smooth finish and rich, complex flavour.
Shortly after its launch, Cygnet 77 achieved Gold at The IWSC 2025 and, even more impressively, secured the Master Medal at the Global Luxury Masters 2025, confirming its status as the most luxurious gin.
Luxury with Conscience: The Award-Winning Decanter
True luxury, for Cygnet, must coexist with responsibility. The brand’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its exceptional packaging, which has itself garnered awards.
Cygnet 22 is presented in the iconic, eco-friendly Eirlys decanter (Welsh for ‘snowflake’). This bottle won Global Best Bottle and a Packaging Award from The Gin Awards and The World Beverage Innovation Awards, respectively.
The Eirlys decanter weighs up to 50% less than the industry standard spirits bottle, significantly reducing the raw materials required for production and the energy needed for transportation. The bottle is not only recyclable but also designed for reuse, with the company encouraging consumers to upcycle it as a water carafe or single-stem vase.
Adding to its Welsh heritage, the bottle is screen-printed using organic ink, depicting traditional symbols of Wales, the daffodils and the Welsh dragon. The seal itself is 100% biodegradable, made from wood pulp right in Wales.
Savor the Exceptional
Cygnet Gin is a testament to the idea that passion, precision, and a deep respect for heritage can redefine luxury. Whether indulging in the refreshing, citrus-forward complexity of Cygnet Welsh Dry Gin (a smooth, well-balanced style with cloves and grapefruit pith, made with 12 botanicals), mixing the intricate, honeyed notes of Cygnet 22 into a Cygnet Catch 22 Martini, or sipping the aged sophistication of Cygnet 77 neat, every experience promises excellence.
We welcome you to savour the exceptional with Cygnet – Cygnet-Distillery.com
Explore more stories from the nation’s best producers in our Welsh Distilleries collection.
