Ryan Reynolds — award-winning movie star, film producer, former claimant to be the Sexiest Man Alive, husband, father, and Canadian— can now add “gin owner” to his long list of titles. This week, Reynolds announced that he is the proud new owner of Aviation Gin, a popular craft spirit that got its start in Portland, Oregon.
“Aviation is the best tasting gin in the world. Once I tried it, I knew I wanted to get involved with the company in a big way,” said Reynolds in a release.
Aviation is a prime example of American gin, a style that is less juniper-forward than its English counterparts. The spirit’s journey began with Christian Krogstad, who created Aviation at Portland’s House Spirits Distillery. He wanted to make a “summer gin,” and after a number of trials, decided on the recipe in 2006 that would become Aviation — a recipe that recreates the botanical profile of the namesake Aviation cocktail.
Aviation was eventually acquired in 2016 by Davos Brands, whose portfolio also includes TYKU Sake, Sombra Mezcal, and Astral Tequila. (The actual gin is actually still produced in Portland at House Spirits.) Which bring us to today, with Reynolds at the helm. This A-list star didn’t just fork out a bunch of dough to slap his face next the label. Sure, there were some dollar signs involved (the exact amount that Reynolds paid for Aviation was not revealed), but Reynolds will also play a lead role in the operation of the company.
“We couldn’t be happier that Ryan discovered Aviation. He wholeheartedly embodies the authentic, original spirit of Aviation Gin,” said Andrew T. Chrisomalis, CEO of Davos Brands. “Ryan has worked tirelessly to create some of the world’s most iconic media properties and will bring that drive and creativity to sharing Aviation with the world.”
But getting all of this info from a press release sounds pretty impersonal, so we decided to reach out directly to the source: Ryan … via an email address connected to the aforementioned press release. When we shot Ryan a few questions, we received a pretty excellent automatic reply:
Thank you for your email and interest in Aviation American Gin! I’m away from my desk at the moment but will respond the moment they give me a desk.
About a year ago, I tried Aviation for the first time. Since that day, I’ve spent my time finding some way to infiltrate the company. I did this for one simple reason: It’s the best damn gin on the planet. Period.
My responsibilities here at the company are vast. I’ll spend my days being photographed intermittently clinching my jaw muscles while pointing at things and nodding. I’ll drink Aviation Gin. I’ll sit in board meetings, imagining my very own Red Wedding.
I don’t know whose idea it was to allow me into the gin business, but I can assure you, there are smarter, more reasonable people in charge.
Thank you again for your email … If the matter is urgent, please contact my secretary, Bruce, who’ll respond the moment I get a secretary named Bruce.
And there you have it from the man himself. Cheers to your new boozy business venture, Ryan, and best of luck in your search for a secretary named Bruce.
In the long and in no way disastrous marriage of showbiz and alcohol, so happy to announce I’m the proud owner of a gin company… @AviationGin. pic.twitter.com/qPwe0IC6bz
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) February 21, 2018
If you need more celebrity booze, why don’t you try whipping up a couple of these cocktails featuring D’USSE, Jay-Z’s cognac of choice.
