Porn baron Paul Raymond inspires a gin
King of Soho, a 42% ABV London Dry Gin, has been created by Paul’s son Howard Raymond, who owns West End Drinks.
The spirit is crafted with 12 botanicals, including grapefruit peel, coriander seeds, angelica root and cassia.
Raymond said: “My father’s favourite tipple in the 60s was gin, a drink reminiscent of the parties and clubs of that era. London is now driving an international renaissance of gin and fittingly The King of Soho Gin is distilled in the heart of London.”
Hi-Spirits MD, Dan Bolton, said the addition of the gin would increase the breadth of the gin range within the company’s portfolio, as pubs and bars increasingly stocked several gin brands.
“Consumer interest in authentic gin and gin cocktails is booming, and the unique branding of King of Soho and the exceptional quality of the gin in the bottle will give it a strong appeal to both bar professionals and consumers,” he added.
Paul Raymond opened the UK’s first strip bar in London’s Soho area in the 1950s. He went on to become a property magnate and found soft-porn magazines such as Escort and Mayfair.
In July Hi-Spirits announced it has signed a deal to distribute Justin Timberlake's 901 Tequila brand in the UK.
