Virgin Atlantic CEO, Sir Richard Branson, and actor and producer, Ryan Reynolds, have released a funny video to mark the new partnership between the British airline and Aviation American Gin, which is owned by the Hollywood star.
Describing how the gin will be served on the airline's Clubhouse lounges and on board its flights, the duo larked about in the video while announcing the new launch. Reynolds joked that Virgin Atlantic and Aviation are "merging," while Branson clarified that it was actually only a partnership announcement around the gin.
Reynolds then quipped, “at first,” while announcing that the new name for the company is "AvaVirgination." “We look forward to serving Virgin Atlantic guests for years to come and, on a personal note, Sir Richard has promised to teach me the difference between revenue and profit, so I am beyond excited," Reynolds said in the launch press release.
Produced by House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon, the seven botanicals used during the gin distillation are juniper, lavender, sweet and bitter orange peel, cardamom, coriander, Indian sarsaparilla and anise seed. “Working with Ryan and his team on this partnership has been so exciting," says Branson. "Aviation Gin is a true icon born out of a spirit of innovation, so serving it on board Virgin Atlantic flights seemed like a natural combination.”
Canadian actor Reynolds, who is married to Blake Lively, also spoke about owning a gin company in another tongue-in-cheek style video in which he was interviewed by his fictional twin brother "Gordon." He bought the company earlier this year and explained his reason for doing so at a press conference. “We’re at the beginning of what feels like a modern-day gin craze," he said. "Millennials are drinking it. Young people are drinking it. Not toddlers, but young people.”
