Comedy icon Ricky Gervais raises a glass of Dutch Barn Vodka, the premium spirit he co-owns, as it expands into global travel retail
Ellers Farm Distillery has secured an exclusive distribution deal with FreeWorld Brands, launching Dutch Barn Vodka into the duty free and travel retail sector. This partnership aims to introduce the brand to major global airports, cruise lines and other key travel retail channels.
The expansion follows a significant investment by comedian Ricky Gervais in November 2023, which saw him become co-owner of Ellers Farm. This move into travel retail comes after Gervais made an “urgent appeal” on social media in December, encouraging more retailers to stock the spirit. The brand has also secured several nationwide listings with major UK retailers.
Launched in 2022, Dutch Barn Vodka is crafted in North Yorkshire from British apples. The award-winning spirit aims to redefine vodka for modern drinkers, showcasing its quality and versatility. The distillation process involves tasting the liquid every 20 minutes to ensure premium quality.
Dutch Barn Vodka’s sustainably crafted bottle, made from British apples, is poised to make waves in duty free and travel retail markets worldwide
Chris Fraser, Founder and CEO of Dutch Barn Vodka, stated: ”We are very proud of the reaction Dutch Barn Vodka is getting from global markets, and as we continue to develop our distribution and offering we want to tell our story to a much wider audience and that includes all the Duty Free & Travel Retail channels. We are delighted to have partnered with FreeWorld Brands to kickstart our travel retail journey.”
As a B Corp certified company, Dutch Barn Vodka prioritizes sustainability in its production process. The distillery has been carbon neutral since its inception and is home to acres of young apple trees, contributing to carbon removal and biodiversity. The brand’s brown glass bottles, chosen for their higher recycled content and local production, further demonstrate its commitment to sustainable practices.
Sean McNaughten of FreeWorld Brands commented: “We are very proud to be partnering with Dutch Barn Vodka, Chris, Ricky and the team. Dutch Barn Vodka has so much to offer, and really is a brand that we see flying in all parts of the Duty Free & Travel Retail world. We look forward to presenting Dutch Barn Vodka and the brand’s ambitious plans to the world of Duty Free, starting with the TFWA World Exhibition and Conference in Cannes in the first week of October.”
The brand is set to make its debut at the TFWA World Exhibition and Conference in Cannes in early October, marking its first step into the global travel retail market.
