A well-crafted tasting experience is nothing without a few essential ingredients; an intriguing venue, a knowledgeable host, a unique backstory and, above all, a plentiful product of the very highest quality. And like the very best gins, it’s all about perfecting that signature blend, which is why – in so flooded a market of tasting evenings, Afternoon Teas, distillery tours and ‘Create your own’ craft nights – Warwickshire Gin Company has (in my view) hit upon the ultimate recipe for success!

Nestled in the railway tunnels of South Leamington Spa, just a short walk from the nearby Parade and local towns including Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon, this bijou small batch brewer places Warwickshire’s rich and surprising history at the very heart of its business model; with each of its handcrafted gins, vodka and rum blends taking their inspiration from the enigmatic adventures of those who once walked its historic streets. From local Boxing legends to Medieval Lords, right through to infamous ‘Peeping Tom’ (whose wandering eye fell on Coventry’s freedom-fighting Lady Godiva), this history lesson is anything but dry!

And speaking of which – there’s the gin itself, which comes in five distinctly-flavoured blends, brewed, labelled, and bottled by hand on site by the distillery’s hardworking team of three, who also manage and run the venue’s wide range of Gift experiences. Invited to review the ‘Gin Tasting Experience’, available every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, this particular package comes complete with a complimentary welcome drink, 7 tasting measures of Warwickshire Gin company’s award-winning product plus a further three full drinks of your choice; served with a choice of Fever Tree tonics, Ginger Ale or Mediterranean lemonade; all in the space of 90 minutes! Not at all bad for just £20.00 per person!

Entering the bunker-like premises on a cold winter’s evening in November, I was immediately warmed by the venue’s grotto-like interior; which was decked out in Chesterfield-style leather chairs, festoons of fairy-lights, quirky standard-lamps and – at its centre – the star of the show; the magnificent 50 litre copper pot from which the burgeoning business first grew.

First up and easing us into each other’s company, was a complimentary glass of Leamington on Parade Dry Gin paired with Aromatic Tonic and fresh berries. This refreshingly smooth blend of lightly spiced gin, infused with an aromatic blend of Ceylon tea, cinnamon and hibiscus was inspired by the unlikely story of Sam Lockhart, Flying Trapeze artist, Circus performer and Elephant owner extraordinaire, who famously established Leamington’s first ‘elephant wash’ in the River Leam in 1850 following complaints that the herd’s trumpeting was disturbing local worshippers at the Parish Church!

Who needs an origin story when you have historical anecdotes like that up your sleeve.

Opting for a slimmed-down explanation of the gin-making process – a move much welcomed by the lively Saturday night crowd – our attentive host Chloe guided us through our evening with warmth and genuine insight; paring each tasting with well-researched storytelling and a forensic knowledge of her product.

One by one, each new drink was accompanied by another colourful tale which not only provided the perfect ice-breaker for striking up conversation with our fellow tasters, but also brought the flavours of each gin alive in new and unexpected ways!

For fans of dry gin, there’s the award-winning Kingmaker blend, served neat (to really appreciate it’s smoothness) or with an accompaniment of Indian tonic water and lashings of lemon and ice. Blended with the flavours of an old English forest, including blackberries, raspberries and elderberries, this classic gin and tonic combo is in every way deserving of its royal credentials; and a fitting tribute to its ambitious namesake, the Earl of Warwick – nobleman and kingmaker to Edward IV of York.

For a more aromatic infusion, The Philosopher’s Daughter blended notes of elderflower and rose with sweet hints of apples and fresh cherry; whilst the refreshingly zesty Pelota – named after ‘Lawn Pelota’, a game first established in Leamington by Spanish Merchant Juan Augurio Perara, founder of the world’s first Lawn Tennis Club – was the perfect pairing for a hot summer’s day and was infused with citrus notes which conjured up the spirit of the South Mediterranean perfectly. Personally speaking, the Peeping Tom wasn’t quite for me with its strong notes of star anise, cinnamon and nutmeg, which felt more akin to a Sambuka or Ouzo in flavour than a gin cocktail, even with the addition of a cooling tonic water. But then – as Lady Godiva herself might say – it’s ultimately, all a matter of taste!

Whilst gin remains very much the star of this experience, it would be wrong not to mention to the company’s growing portfolio of signature vodka and spiced-rums. Finished with a hint of frankincense, the Kingmaker Premium Vodka blend was perhaps the smoothest I’ve sampled neat and went down an absolute treat with an invigorating pairing of Fever Tree Sicilian Lemonade. And for an aperitif with added punch, The Pugilist spiced blended rum is the ultimate homage to its namesake Randolph Turpin, a.k.a ‘The Leamington Licker’ who famously took the World Title from the legendary boxer Sugar Ray Robinson. Packed full of the rich, sweet flavours of Guyana, including hearty cinnamon, all spice, orange peel and nutmeg, and served long with a chaser of Fevertree Ginger Ale, I couldn’t resist taking home a sample or two to share with friends (lucky then – that my experience included a 10% discount off purchases from the distillery store).

With the UK gin craze showing no signs of abating any time soon, it’s a genuine tonic to see Warwickshire Gin Company not only surviving but thriving after an ill-timed pandemic forced the fledging company to channel its ambitions into making sanitizer for just shy of 12 months. Now – five years on and with several major awards under its belt – this bijou brewer has continued to diversify its experience offer with that same creativity and can-do spirit that saw them through the dark times, whether you’re searching for that perfect stocking filler, looking to share some quality time with family or on the hunt for your next your next fun-filled night out with friends!

Infused with a genuine passion for place and priced with accessibility in mind, this hidden gem in the heart of Warwickshire may be small in size but it’s certainly BIG in spirit.

4 Stars

Reviewed by Katherine Ewing