This Rum collection will go the full distance!

During a recent cruise around the Caribbean I visited Bridgetown, Barbados, the birthplace of Rum. Whilst there I went for a tour of the world’s oldest commercial rum distillery established in 1703! I was therefore a little surprised but delighted to find a distillery a little closer to home in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

The Warwickshire Gin Company not only distils its own Rum but also produces a fine collection of distinctively different flavoured gin & vodka too. All of the flavour profiles are inspired by historical events in Warwickshire, which grabbed my attention & interest straight away.

Distilled using a small batch method in the Royal Leamington Spa distillery & using a traditional copper pot, the inspiration behind the award-winning drinks collections comes from a desire to capture a moment in history, developing flavours which represent the county’s own unique story & bringing hand-crafted flavours to life in downtown Leamington Spa.

The Warwickshire Gin Company

I had been sent three of their best-selling rums to sample.

  1. The Main Event: Pugilist – Sting like a Bee edition – Honey Rum:

The collection has been inspired by Randolph Turpin, who went down in British boxing history for sensationally winning the World Title by beating the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson, earning himself the memorable nickname ‘The Leamington Licker’.  Born in Leamington of Guyanan heritage but raised in Warwick, Turpin became a local hero overnight! There is a fine looking statue of Randolph Turpin in the Market Square, Warwick, outside The Rose & Crown pub.

To celebrate one of Leamington`s most famous sons & a nod to Randolph’s Guyanan heritage, a rum from Guyana has been used as the base. By adding a blend of Warwickshire spices including orange peel a smooth & sweet rum has been created. I would suggest you serve it neat over a few cubes of ice or for a longer drink try adding a splash of Sicilian lemonade then garnish it with a slice of lemon.

  • The Knockout: Pugilist – Ghost edition – White Rum:

Using the finest Guyanan Rum, to deliver a beautifully smooth, pure mouth feel. A great mixing rum with coke or lemonade or simply perfect for cocktails! A very smooth rum which I found very easy to drink! Serve it with or without several shards of ice or if you need to add a mixer pour in a little coke with a splash of lime. It’s a knockout!

  • Unanimous Decision: Pugilist Spice Blended Rum:

Using the finest Guyanan Rum, the distillers have purified with a host of spices which includes nutmeg, cinnamon, all spice & orange peel! A smooth & very pleasing rum which definitely leaves a warm afterglow because of the profusion of spices. A very slight sweetness to this silky spirit. Try it neat over some ice with a splash of ginger ale or your favourite fruit mixer. A clear points winner.

The more established rum promoters may not yet be ready to hang up their gloves, but these three local rums, which punch above their weight, will still be there at the final bell.

  • Shadow Boxing:

Afternoon G & TEA: I love an afternoon tea so the idea of an afternoon tea with a twist is very appealing. Relax & enjoy a unique & exciting experience of an Afternoon G & TEA. The clue is in the gin!

Gin Tasting Experience: Available at the Distillery every Thursday, Friday & Saturday for public tours. Having visited many distilleries at home & abroad, I would fully recommend a visit.

Gift sets: A wide range of gift sets are available. Did someone say Christmas?

Larger Bundles: Bronze (£48), Silver (£63), Gold (£145) & Platinum (£225) G&T Packages contain a combination of the gins and goblets, pourer, jigger and tonics.

Miniature gin and (new) rum gift packs:

I would recommend you check out their excellent website for further details.

  • The Gin Collection!

Leamington On Parade (40% ABV) (original and best-selling gin)

Honours the elephants which were brought to Leamington Spa from Ceylon. The gin is lightly spiced to reflect the essences and include heritage of Sam’s Elephants, along with Ceylon tea, cinnamon and hibiscus.

More info: https://warwickshiregincompany.co.uk/pages/leamington-on-parade

The Kingmaker (40% ABV)

To celebrate The Kingmaker – Richard Neville, The Earl of Warwick – we have used fruits of the forest, which would have been accessible and growing freely in the hedgerows of England at the time of his power. Fruits such as blackberries, elderberries, raspberries and raspberry leaf, are used to complete the Kingmaker and frankincense has been added to create a quite unique flavour.

More info: https://warwickshiregincompany.co.uk/pages/kingmaker

The Philosopher’s Daughter (40% ABV)

A beautiful gin infused with a selection of flavours that have been carefully chosen to honour the Daughter of one of the most revered Philosophers of the Elizabethan age, John Dee.

Perfectly balanced with Rosehip Peel, Rose Petals, Apple and Cherries.

More info: https://warwickshiregincompany.co.uk/pages/the-philosophers-daughter

Peeping Tom (40% ABV)

The newest addition to the Warwickshire Gin fold is Peeping Tom, a Dry Gin inspired by the legend of Coventry’s Lady Godiva.

We’ve taken our signature core of botanicals and gently spiced them up with star anise, nutmeg and cinnamon, treat for your taste buds.  Serve with Indian tonic over ice and garnish with a slice of lemon and a cinnamon stick for a touch of seasonal sass. Alternatively, Indian tonic and a liquorice stick for that cheeky olde sweet shoppe finish.

More info: https://warwickshiregincompany.co.uk/collections/our-gins/products/peeping-tom

Pelota Dry Gin (40% ABV)

In 1860, a Spanish Merchant named Juan Augurio Perera and his close friend, Harry Gem, developed Pelota and Rackets outside. The first game of lawn tennis was played on Perera’s house front lawn ‘Fairlight’ in Edgbaston, Birmingham. In 1873 Perera and Gem moved to Royal Leamington Spa where they formed the world’s first Lawn Tennis Club.

To honour the game he called Lawn Pelota, Pelota Dry Gin has a Mediterranean citrus tones.

More info: https://warwickshiregincompany.co.uk/collections/our-gins/products/pelota-dry-gin

Pugilist – a boxer, especially a professional one.

Contact: The Warwickshire Gin Company

e-mail: info@warwickshiregincompany.co.uk

Call: 01926 831458

Distillery address:

The Warwickshire Gin Company Ltd

Unit 13 Victoria Business Centre

Neilston St

Royal Leamington Spa

CV31 2AZ