The legend of Lady Godiva has influenced a brand-new gin from a Leamington distillery known for using local stories as inspiration for their drinks.
Warwickshire Gin Company has officially launched Peeping Tom, their fifth and latest dry gin, inspired by Coventry’s famous tale.
According to popular myth, Lady Godiva rode naked through the city to force her husband to lower taxes around 900 years ago. Peeping Tom was a voyeur who dared to look when city residents were ordered to stay indoors as she rode past – and was allegedly was struck blind. A clock in Coventry’s Market Hall in Broadgate depicts the story.
This new gin will join the small Leamington Spa-based independent craft distillery’s portfolio of four artisan handcrafted premium gins. The launch also coincides with Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture.
Founder of the Warwickshire Gin Company David Blick said: “I wanted to put Coventry and Warwickshire on the national gin map – we have so many incredible stories to share which are not widely known outside the county.
“Peeping Tom is an Old Tom style gin which derives from an 18th century recipe and is gently spiced with star anise, nutmeg, cinnamon and liquorice.”
Earlier this summer the Leamington Spa-based gin producer achieved double success in the International Wine & Spirit 2021 competition. Its Kingmaker Dry Gin and Pelota Dry Gin each won an IWSC silver for Gin and Tonic and a bronze for Contemporary Gin.
Each of the company’s gins has been inspired by quirky historic stories surrounding some of Warwickshire’s towns.
Founded in 2018, Warwickshire Gin Company’s five copper pot distilled, sulphate-free gins also include Leamington on Parade, inspired by the true story of three elephants brought over from Sri Lanka to Leamington Spa by circus elephant trainer Sam Lockhart in the 1880s flavoured with Far Eastern spices, and The Philosopher’s Daughter – a nod to Kathrine Dee, whose father John was a noted philosopher and alchemist for Elizabeth I, famously associated with Kenilworth Castle and its owner Robert Dudley.
Kingmaker takes its name from 15th century War of the Roses military hero Warwick the Kingmaker otherwise known as Richard Neville, the 16th Earl of Warwick.
Pelota Dry Gin was inspired by the world’s first Lawn Tennis Club launched in Leamington Spa by a Spanish merchant Juan Augurio and his friend Major Harry Gem in 1872. ‘Pelota’ is the name of the Basque court game from which it originated and to complement this Pelota Dry Gin has Mediterranean citrus tones.
Peeping Tom gin is available in two sizes and is priced £35 for a 50cl bottle and £18 for a 20 cl bottle. Economy shipping is free on orders over £25. Gift sets are also available including a Warwickshire Gin Company gin goblet and six tonic waters.
