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Rugby legends launch Blackeye Gin
Rugby union legends Mike Tindall and James Haskell have teamed up with broadcaster Alex Payne to launch Blackeye Gin.
World Cup winner Tindall said the group was “thrilled” to launch the gin, in what had been “a journey full of challenges” but “a whole lot of fun”.
He said: ‘James, Alex, and I have had various battles along the way – both on and off the pitch. The name reflects the physical and emotional resilience and kinship we share.
“I think it really captures the essence of what this brand is all about – for those who give their best even when times are hard, and celebrate the good times!”
The gin, which it has dubbed ‘the unofficial spirit of rugby’, was born from “the overwhelming enthusiasm” of listeners of the founders’ podcast, The Good, The Bad, & The Rugby, who made the suggestion to create a gin.
The trio has developed the brand to support the future of rugby, creating a fund with an advisory board, and support from “some of the most iconic names in rugby globally”, they said.
Support
A support fund will invest £1.50 from each bottle sold to support three key pillars: Research, Risk, and Recovery, for rugby players past and present. The goal of the fund is to tackle industry issues and become one of the largest donors to rugby-related causes within five years.
The three founders partnered with the gin distillery, Hawkridge, to create a unique recipe they all loved. The outcome is a smooth spirit with a blend of fresh citrus-forward flavours, floral notes, and a burst of juniper. It is rounded off with combination of botanicals from each of the rugby-playing nations.
The brand is a Catalyst Spirits product and distributed by Maverick Drinks. It is available to buy at Master of Malt, selected Sainsbury’s stores and online at blackeyegin.com with more stockists announced ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
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