Two award-winning south Warwickshire drinks brands are celebrating a pivotal partnership thanks to the launch of a new special-edition gin. 

Warwickshire Gin Company in Leamington and Purity Brewing Company in Great Alne, have announced an exciting collaboration to create the 40% ABV Emperor Dry Hopped Gin, now available online and in store at www.puritybrewing.com and www.warwickshiregincompany.co.uk whilst also being stocked exclusively at Purity's Birmingham-based tap room PureCraft Bar and Kitchen. 

It's the latest project of the Warwickshire Gin Company, whose collection comes from a desire to capture a moment in history, developing flavours to fully represent the county's own unique story and bringing the range of hand-crafted flavours to life. 

These include Leamington on Parade, inspired by the true story of three elephants brought over from Sri Lanka to Leamington by circus elephant trainer Sam Lockhart in the 1880s; The Kingmaker – named after Richard Neville 16th Earl of Warwick and Peeping Tom – inspired by the legend of Coventry's Lady Godiva. 

Dave Blick, who established Warwickshire Gin Company at Victoria Business Centre, in 2018, said of the new collaboration: "We first collaborated with Purity Brewing Co. during the Covid pandemic, at a time when we were selling other local produce on our website.

David Blick and John Conod pictured with a portrait of Purity co-founder, the late Jim Minkin who inspired the new gin (image supplied)

"We're admirers of not just their beers, but also the company's values, which are aligned with our own. We both include stories that inspire our drinks, making them bold and unique.   

"When we were asked to help develop a Hop-infused gin we jumped at the chance! We worked on several recipes with the hops and other botanicals that we thought would complement the Emperor. To add to the Roman theme we included the Italian exotic citrus, bergamot - which is a stunning fruit to use. Being able to bring Emperor Hop Dry Gin to life has been an exciting project." 

It's a particularly special recipe for the Purity team as it's made with a new English hop variety named in memory of the company's late co-founder Jim Minkin who, outside of brewing, enjoyed a passion for Roman history. 

Minkin established Purity, in Great Alne, in 2005 with Paul Hasley on a joint mission to 'brew great beer without prejudice, with a conscience and a consistency and attention to detail.' 

Emperor dry-hopped gin (image supplied)

Paul Brazier, head of marketing at Purity, said: "Emperor hops resonated with Jim's love for Roman history. In his time off he could be found wandering the local area looking for earthworks that would suggest Roman camps, buildings and roads. 

"Whilst experimenting with the wide variety of hops Purity use, it was decided Emperor hops in combination with the Mediterranean and ancient fruit Bergamot and Black Tea, deliver the best subtle citrus kick and complex flavour notes to create a unique, quality and exclusive handcrafted Gin. 

"We are delighted to be working with Warwickshire Gin Company whose twin passions are high-quality craft gin production and a love of local history. Emperor Gin is completed with branding design that stays loyal to that history theme, but with a nod to the hoppy, Purity twist."   

Central to Purity's ethos is a strong commitment to supporting the environment. Purity only uses natural ingredients; supports recycling programs and respects the local community and environment. Waste products are recycled through its unique wetland system. This sustainable ecosystem helps minimise carbon dioxide emissions, reduces energy consumption, and encourages wildlife diversity.