Why Gilbys Gin stop production? If you have noticed Gilbey’s Gin disappearing from a shop, bar, or liquor store, you may be wondering whether this familiar gin brand has finally been discontinued.
Gilbey’s has been around for generations, so reports that it has stopped production can understandably cause some confusion.
The good news is that the story is more complicated than a simple end to the brand. Gilbey’s continues to be produced in several markets, although its availability, production arrangements, packaging, and distribution have changed over the years.
So, what actually happened to Gilbey’s Gin, and why do some people believe it is no longer being made? Let’s take a closer look.
As of 2026, Gilbey’s is still being produced and sold:
- Kenya: East African Breweries Limited (EABL) still lists Gilbey’s Special Dry Gin among its brands.
- Tanzania: Serengeti Breweries currently lists Gilbey’s Gin among its gin brands.
- Uganda: Uganda Breweries still lists Gilbey’s and describes its traditional 12-botanical recipe.
- Turkey: Diageo Turkey currently produces Gilbey’s under licence.
- United States: Gilbey’s London Dry Gin is still listed for sale by Virginia ABC at 40% ABV.
- In fact, Kenya announced a refreshed Gilbey’s package in August 2026, explicitly saying that the liquid itself remains unchanged.
There is also evidence that the brand is doing reasonably well globally. Gilbey’s sold about 1.4 million nine-litre cases in 2025, up 40% from 2024, according to industry sales figures.
Table of Contents
So Why Might you be asking ‘Why Gilbys Gin Stop Production’?
The important distinction is between the Gilbey’s brand and a particular Gilbey’s product, factory, bottle size, or local market.
Gilbey’s was historically made in London, but it is now produced under licence at different distilleries around the world rather than coming from its original London production.
That means a country can stop importing or producing a particular version while Gilbey’s continues elsewhere.
A shop can also stop stocking it, making it look as though the brand has disappeared.
There have also been changes in individual markets.
For example, Rwanda temporarily suspended imports of several alcoholic brands in August 2026, and Kenya’s Gilbeys Gin was among the products affected there.
That was a regulatory suspension in Rwanda, though, not the worldwide discontinuation of Gilbey’s.
READ ALSO: Natural Hair Setting Lotion 2025 & More
Gilbreys Gin well
Gilbey’s Gin is a classic juniper-led London Dry Gin from Gilbey’s.
The brand was founded in London in 1857 by brothers Walter and Albert Gilbey in the basement of a retail shop on Oxford Street.
Gilby’s Gin Review: What Does Gilbys Gin Look & Taste Like?
Gilbeys Gin is crystal clear with light, floral aromas of juniper along with hints of sweet orange.
The palate is clean, light, and dry.
Gilbey’s gin is assertive and sharp, flavored by botanicals such as juniper, coriander, lemongrass, orange peel, kalamansi, angelica root, cinnamon and nutmeg.
The finish is moderately long with lingering citrus notes. The gin is distilled from grain neutral spirits along with 12 other botanicals.
Gilbey’s Gin is a well-known London Dry Gin with a long history dating back to the 19th century.
Do They Still Make Gibys Gin in UK?
If by “Gibys” you mean Gilbey’s Gin, then no, it does not appear that Gilbey’s Gin is currently being produced in the UK for the UK market.
Gilbey’s is a British brand, founded by W&A Gilbey in London in the 19th century, but that does not mean the gin sold today is necessarily distilled in Britain.
Diageo still describes Gilbey’s as a historic brand and lists it in some international markets, but Gilbey’s is notably absent from Diageo Great Britain’s current brand portfolio, where its gin portfolio includes Gordon’s and other brands.
This is an important distinction:
- Gilbey’s originated in the UK.
- Gilbey’s is still produced in some countries, including markets where it is made under local licensing arrangements.
- The fact that Gilbey’s is still made elsewhere does not mean it is still manufactured in the UK.
- The old bottles of “Gilbey’s London Dry Gin” that you see for sale in Britain today can be vintage bottles rather than evidence of current UK production.
So if your question is specifically “Do they still manufacture Gilbey’s Gin in Britain?”, the answer appears to be no. The brand’s continued existence is mainly through production and distribution in other markets.
This may also explain why there is confusion around whether Gilbey’s stopped production.
It didn’t disappear as a brand worldwide. Rather, its UK production/market presence declined while the brand continued in other countries.
Photo Credits: Gilbey’s Kenya, Foreedontz MIU, Private Bar, Haute Apple Pie, Prestige Drinks, Public