Aviation American Gin

Aviation American Gin, also commonly called Aviation Gin, is an American gin brand first produced in Portland, Oregon, in 2006. It was created by distiller Christian Krogstad and gin specialist Ryan Magarian, who developed a style intended to give the spirit a more rounded and botanical profile than a strongly juniper-dominant London dry gin. The brand takes its name from the Aviation cocktail, and its identity has been associated with the Pacific Northwest craft-distilling movement. The gin was originally made and bottled by House Spirits Distillery in Portland. Its production uses seven principal flavoring ingredients: juniper, lavender, sweet and bitter orange peel, cardamom, coriander, Indian sarsaparilla, and anise seed. These botanicals are steeped in grain spirit for approximately 18 hours and then redistilled in a custom-built 400-gallon pot still. The spirit leaves the still at about 140 U.S. proof and is reduced to 84 proof with deionized Cascade mountain water before bottling. This combination of lavender, citrus, spice, and herbal notes became central to the brand's positioning as a modern, mixology-oriented gin. Aviation's packaging has also been an important part of its development. The first presentation used a wine-style bottle with a blue label. In 2013, the brand introduced a flask-shaped bottle with a black label and silver cap, an appearance influenced by Art Deco design. The revised packaging helped distinguish Aviation from more traditional gin brands and reinforced its premium craft-spirit image. House Spirits sold the brand to New York-based distributor Davos Brands in 2016, while continuing to distill it in Portland. By late 2016, Aviation reportedly represented about 40 percent of House Spirits' production. In February 2018, Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds acquired a stake in the brand. He became its principal public spokesman and sponsor, using a deliberately self-aware style of advertising that made the brand unusually visible in popular culture. Reynolds appeared in promotional material and incorporated Aviation into marketing connected with films and his ownership of Wrexham A.F.C. On August 17, 2020, Diageo agreed to acquire Aviation and other Davos Brands assets in a transaction valued at up to $610 million. Diageo's portfolio also includes major spirits brands such as Tanqueray, Smirnoff, and Johnnie Walker. Following the transaction, Aviation became part of a large international beverage group while retaining its association with Portland production and Reynolds. Reynolds continued to hold an ongoing ownership interest, according to the cited reference material. The brand has expanded beyond the United States and is distributed in a number of international markets, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and others. Its growth illustrates the movement of craft spirits from regional production into multinational distribution, while its advertising demonstrates how celebrity participation can become a core component of a beverage brand's identity. Aviation has also received critical recognition: Wine Enthusiast gave it a 97-point rating in 2012, described in the reference material as the highest rating the magazine had awarded to a gin at that time.

Aviation American Gin emerged from Portland, Oregon's craft-distilling scene in 2006. Distiller Christian Krogstad and gin specialist Ryan Magarian created the brand with an emphasis on a layered botanical profile rather than a narrowly juniper-forward style. The name references the Aviation cocktail, linking the product to contemporary cocktail culture and the revival of interest in premium mixed drinks. House Spirits Distillery initially produced and owned the brand. Its recipe combines juniper with lavender, sweet and bitter orange peel, cardamom, coriander, Indian sarsaparilla, and anise seed. The botanicals are steeped in grain spirit before being redistilled in a custom 400-gallon pot still. After distillation, the spirit is diluted with deionized Cascade mountain water to a bottling strength of 84 U.S. proof. The recipe and production method supported the brand's positioning as an aromatic, balanced American gin. The original packaging used a wine-style bottle and blue label. In 2013, Aviation adopted a flask-like bottle with a black label and silver cap, drawing on Art Deco visual references. This redesign gave the brand a more recognizable shelf presence and helped communicate a premium, design-conscious identity. House Spirits sold Aviation to Davos Brands in 2016, but the Portland distillery continued making the gin. Reference material states that Aviation accounted for roughly 40 percent of House Spirits' production by late 2016, indicating that the label had become an important part of the distillery's business. The brand was subsequently developed through broader distribution in the United States and international markets. In February 2018, Ryan Reynolds purchased a stake in Aviation. His participation extended beyond passive ownership: he became the brand's main spokesman and sponsor and helped shape its advertising voice. Promotional work often used deadpan humor, celebrity self-parody, and cinematic references. A 2018 campaign featured a fictional twin character, Gordon Reynolds, delivering an intentionally exaggerated description of the gin. Aviation was also promoted through appearances and references connected to films starring Reynolds, including Deadpool 2 and Red Notice. On August 17, 2020, Diageo announced the acquisition of Aviation and other Davos Brands assets for consideration of up to $610 million. The transaction placed the Portland-originated gin within one of the world's largest spirits companies, alongside brands including Tanqueray, Smirnoff, and Johnnie Walker. Reynolds retained an ongoing ownership interest, preserving a link between the brand and the celebrity-led marketing model that had helped raise its profile. Aviation is distributed throughout the United States and in multiple overseas markets, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, Russia, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia. Its development reflects three intersecting trends: the rise of American craft spirits, the premiumization of gin, and the use of entertainment personalities as active brand builders. The brand has also received favorable critical attention; Wine Enthusiast awarded it 97 points in 2012, a rating identified in the reference material as the publication's highest for a gin at that point.

1. 2020Diageo acquisition

   Diageo acquires Aviation and other Davos Brands assets in a transaction valued at up to $610 million, with Reynolds retaining an ongoing ownership interest.

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2. 2018Ryan Reynolds becomes an investor and spokesman

   Reynolds acquires a stake and takes a highly visible role in the brand's ownership and promotion.

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3. 2016Sale to Davos Brands

   House Spirits sells the Aviation brand to Davos Brands, while retaining its Portland distillation role.

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4. 2013Packaging redesign

   Aviation moves to a flask-inspired bottle with a black label and silver cap, replacing its earlier wine-style bottle and blue label.

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5. 2012Wine Enthusiast gives Aviation a 97-point rating

   The gin receives a 97-point score, described in the reference material as Wine Enthusiast's highest rating for a gin at that time.

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6. 2006Brand founded and first produced

   Christian Krogstad and Ryan Magarian introduce Aviation American Gin through House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon.

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A premium American craft gin emphasizing a balanced botanical profile, Pacific Northwest provenance, distinctive design, cocktail versatility, and entertainment-led marketing.

• Aviation American GinGin2006

  The brand's core gin is produced from grain spirit flavored with seven principal botanicals: juniper, lavender, sweet and bitter orange peel, cardamom, coriander, Indian sarsaparilla, and anise seed. The botanicals are steeped before redistillation in a custom 400-gallon pot still. The finished spirit is reduced to 84 U.S. proof with deionized Cascade mountain water. Its flavor and positioning emphasize a balanced, aromatic profile suited to classic and contemporary gin cocktails.

• 2018Gordon Reynolds promotional sketch

  United States

  Aviation used a humorous advertisement featuring Ryan Reynolds's fictional twin, Gordon Reynolds, to describe the gin through deliberately absurd and self-aware language.

  Outcome. The campaign reinforced Aviation's irreverent tone and made Reynolds's comedic persona central to the brand's communications.

  Source
• Ryan Reynolds film and entertainment promotion

  International

  Reynolds promoted Aviation through marketing connected with films in which he appeared, including Deadpool 2 and Red Notice.

  Outcome. The activity connected the gin with Reynolds's entertainment profile and expanded its visibility beyond conventional spirits advertising.

  Source
• Wrexham A.F.C. sponsorship

  United Kingdom · International

  Aviation entered a sleeve and training-kit sponsorship arrangement with Wrexham A.F.C., a football club associated with Ryan Reynolds.

  Outcome. The arrangement provided sports visibility for the brand and extended its association with Reynolds into football sponsorship.

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• 2020Join Diageo's international spirits portfolioM&A

  Davos Brands developed Aviation as a growing premium gin label, attracting interest from a major global spirits company.

  What changed. Diageo acquired Aviation and other Davos Brands assets for consideration of up to $610 million.

  Aftermath. Aviation became part of Diageo's multinational portfolio, while Ryan Reynolds retained an ongoing ownership interest.

  Transaction value. Up to $610 million (August 17, 2020)

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• 2018Bring Ryan Reynolds into ownership and brand promotionStrategy

  Aviation was seeking greater consumer visibility and Reynolds had an established public profile suited to humorous, personality-led advertising.

  What changed. Reynolds acquired a stake and became the brand's primary spokesman and sponsor.

  Aftermath. Aviation adopted a highly recognizable entertainment-led marketing style and expanded its public profile.

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• 2016Sell the brand to Davos BrandsM&A

  House Spirits had developed Aviation as a Portland craft-gin brand and transferred brand ownership to a specialized beverage distributor.

  What changed. House Spirits sold Aviation to Davos Brands while continuing to distill the product in Portland.

  Aftermath. The sale supported broader commercial development while preserving the brand's original production relationship with House Spirits.

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• 2013Adopt a flask-inspired bottle designGeneration change

  The brand sought a more distinctive visual identity than its original wine-style bottle and blue label.

  What changed. Aviation introduced a flask-shaped bottle with a black label and silver cap, drawing on Art Deco design.

  Aftermath. The redesigned package became a defining part of Aviation's premium craft-gin presentation.

  Source

• 2020Aviation is sold to Diageo

  Diageo agrees to acquire Aviation and related Davos Brands assets in a transaction valued at up to $610 million; Reynolds retains an ongoing ownership interest.

  M&A
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• 2018Ryan Reynolds takes a stake in Aviation

  Ryan Reynolds acquires an ownership stake and becomes the brand's principal public spokesman and sponsor.

  M&ALeadership change
  Source
• 2016Davos Brands acquires Aviation

  House Spirits sells the brand to New York-based distributor Davos Brands, while House Spirits continues to distill it in Portland.

  M&A
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• 2013Aviation introduces its flask-inspired bottle

  The brand replaces its earlier wine-style bottle and blue label with a flask-shaped package, black label, and silver cap influenced by Art Deco design.

  Product generation
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• 2006Aviation American Gin is launched in Portland

  Christian Krogstad and Ryan Magarian introduce the gin brand through House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon.

  Product launch
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• Aviation signs a sponsorship arrangement with Wrexham A.F.C.

  The brand enters a sleeve and training-kit sponsorship arrangement with Wrexham A.F.C., a football club associated with Ryan Reynolds.

  Campaign
  Source

1. Aviation American Gin