Porn-inspired gin King of Soho launches in London

A London dry gin named The King of Soho has been launched in the UK in homage to a legendary porn baron.

The King of Soho gin has been launched in memory of Paul Raymond, legendary porn baron of London

Owned by West End Drinks, the gin has been created by Howard Raymond as a nod to his late father and porn entrepreneur Paul Raymond, who opened the UK’s first strip club in 1958 before moving into publishing titles such as Escort, Men Only and Club International.

“My father’s favourite tipple in the 60s was gin, a drink reminiscent of the parties and clubs of that era,” said Howard Raymond, who also has a stake in Blavod Spirits. “London is now driving an international renaissance of gin and fittingly The King of Soho Gin is distilled in the heart of London.”

The King of Soho is a 42% abv London dry gin with 12 botanicals including grapefruit peel, coriander seeds, angelica root and cassia.

It will be distributed to the on-trade and specialist drinks outlets with an initial focus on the London market.

“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 string appeal to both bar professionals and consumers,” said Dan Boulton, managing director of distributor Hi-Spirits.

Dubbed the King of Soho by the media, Paul Raymond invested beyond porn into property, most notably with purchases in Soho.

A biopic of his life starring Steve Coogan as Raymond and Anna Friel as his wife Jean was due to be screened with the King of Soho title. However the title had already been secured by Howard Raymond for a second production starring Tom Hiddleston, and was later changed to The Look of Love.