Award-winning distillery launches special-edition rums inspired by a Warwickshire boxing legend

A Warwickshire boxing legend is the inspiration behind two new special-edition rums released by an award-winning distillery.

Warwickshire Gin Company has released the spirits in honour of Randolph Turpin from Leamington Spa.

The Pugilist - Sting Like A Bee - Honey Rum and Pugilist Ghost Edition White Rum, are in honour of the sporting great who went down in British boxing history for his sensational World Title win against the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson and earning himself the nickname ‘The Leamington Licker.’

His statue can be found in Warwick’s Market Square. The rums are new recipes based on the company’s existing Spice Blended Rum, which took Bronze at last year’s International Spirits Awards.

Dave Blick, who established Warwickshire Gin Company in 2018, said: “With our local legend being Randolph Turpin, boxing is still a very strong sport in Leamington and Warwick. We are using Guyanan rum spirit as a base in honour of Turpin’s Guyanan family heritage.

“Born in Leamington of Guyana heritage, Turpin became a hero overnight! To commemorate this fabulous son of Leamington we have celebrated his Guyanan heritage and added our special Warwickshire spice blend to create a warming, rich rum.

“For the new Sting Like A Bee edition, we have rectified with orange peel, and finished off with local honey sourced from Kazim’s Bees and Honey in Warwick, to deliver a beautifully smooth sweet mouth feel. It is best enjoyed neat over ice or pairs well with Sicilian lemonade. The Pugilist Ghost Edition White Rum is more one for the rum purists and is best enjoyed neat over ice or maybe with a drop of lime.”

Both rums are 37 per cent ABV and available to buy in 5cl, 20cl and 70cl bottles or as part of gift packs. They are the latest to join the independent craft distillery’s portfolio of artisan copper pot-distilled premium spirits, including five artisan handcrafted gins and a vodka.

The inspiration behind the Warwickshire Gin Company collection comes from a desire to capture a moment in history, developing flavours to fully represent the county’s own unique story and bringing the range of hand-crafted flavours to life.

These include Leamington on Parade, inspired by the true story of three elephants brought over from Sri Lanka to Leamington by circus elephant trainer Sam Lockhart in the 1880s; The Kingmaker named after Richard Neville 16th Earl of Warwick and Peeping Tom inspired by the legend of Coventry’s Lady Godiva.

The distillery also offers visitor experiences - Gin Tasting, Cocktails at The Distillery and their new Afternoon Gin & Tea plus a range of build-your-own branded gift bundles, including spirits, goblet, mixers and gin or rum-infused chocolates.

In a further nod to the drinks’ heritage, the distillery is also sponsoring the expansion of a local community boxing gym in Whitnash. The money will fund new kit as well as amateur boxers’ expenses for competitions and events abroad.

Facilities at Clearys Boxing Gym now include three boxing rings (one championship size), a media suite - to record podcasts and do TV and radio interviews - a small conference room for career talks, homework space, lounge area, and showers and changing rooms.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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