The King of Soho gin tribute to Paul Raymond

The King of Soho London Dry Gin has been created by West End Drinks, which is co-owned by Alex Robson and Howard Raymond, as a tribute to Howard’s legendary father, Paul Raymond.

Paul Raymond, founder of the famous Raymond Revue strip club, is said to have helped Soho to become an area rich in creativity, music, art and modern culture, as well as playing a pivotal role in the cultural and social liberation of British society.

Distilled in small batches by Thames Distillers, the new gin combines 12 botanicals including juniper, coriander, grapefruit peel, angelica root and cassia bark to create a premium quality gin that is both smooth and complex. With a delicate sweetness, earthiness and a hint of grapefruit bitterness, it gives a warming spice on the palate, balanced by soft juniper and the strength of the citrus.

The packaging was designed by 1HQ – a strategic brand and design business specialising in packaging design and product innovation. The images, which are printed directly on to the bottle using four-colour screenprinting, represent both the past and present of Soho life. The icon’s velvet tailoring reflects the hedonistic fashion of the area, while the fox’s tail signifies Soho’s status as a former royal hunting ground and, more recently, the fox’s reputation as a mischievous creature of the night embodying the smart, naughty and enigmatic nature of urban Soho.

The design also tips its hat to Soho’s rich jazz history and area’s long association with creative industries and media with the addition of the trumpet and book.

The bottles are manufactured by Saverglass.

Howard Raymond, co-founder and son of the late Paul Raymond, who inherited his father’s passion for Soho comments: “The beautiful design of the bottle embodies Soho. It’s a place that has always remained true to the generations who shaped it; a place where anything goes.”

The King of Soho is available from a range of on-trade accounts and retailers nationwide, including Selfridge's, Gerry's and The Whisky Exchange, with an  RRP of £34.95 (70cl) + £11.95 (20cl).

25 October 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor