A small independent distillery in Warwickshire has won global recognition for a new spiced blended rum.
Warwickshire Gin Company's The Pugilist, a new rum launched last September, won a bronze in the International Wine and Spirits Competition 2022 (IWSC2022) while The Philosopher's Daughter, one of several gins made by the Leamington-based craft distillery, also won a bronze.
The Pugilist - which is a lesser used term for a professional boxer - was inspired by 1950s boxer Randolph Turpin from Leamington Spa.
Turpin, known as 'The Leamington Licker', became world middleweight champion after he defeated Sugar Ray Robinson in 1951.
Owner Dave Blick, who founded the company in 2018, said: "It's a pretty cool story. Looking back to have a world champion was a massive deal and Randolph Turpin put Leamington on the world map. His dad was from Guyana and fought in the First World War for the British Army.
"In honour of our local hero we have reached out to his Guyanan heritage and are using imported base rum spirit from the country to retain the cultural link. We then add botanicals including nutmeg, cinnamon, orange peel and all spice berries to give it a unique Leamington flavour.
"I am just really chuffed that both The Pugilist and The Philosopher's Daughter won bronze awards. To receive this recognition so soon after the launch of our rum last September will help to increase awareness internationally about the quality of our spirits."
On the back of the awards, the company was listed in Selfridges in Birmingham, and approached by some major UK hotels including the Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Qhotels and Marriott.
