Former Rangers star Thomas Buffel launches gin

Former Rangers footballer Thomas Buffel has made his first foray into spirits with the launch of Buffel Gin.

Described as a spicy and refreshing gin, Buffel gin is made up of 19 botanicals

The Belgium midfielder, who won the SPL title and Scottish League Cup in 2005 with the Gers, has teamed up with a Belgian distillery to produce the 40% abv expression.

Initially created as a wedding present for the football star and his wife, the new expression is now being offered commercially.

Described as a “spicy and refreshing” gin, Buffel gin is made up of 19 botanicals including pomegranate, lavender, citrus, juniper, coriander seeds.

Signature serves include Buffalo Style, a combination of Buffel Gin, pink pepper tonic, pomegranate seeds and garnished with a pink petal, and Italian Style, containing Buffle Gin, premium tonic and garnished with grapefruit and basil leaves.

Buffel Gin is available online and at select retailers in Belgium at an RRP of £40 for a 70cl bottle.

Buffel isn’t the only sportsman to make his debut in the spirits world, in May, Scottish rugby player Chris Cusiter launched a Scotch whisky-focused alcohol retail business based in Los Angeles, California.