BOOZE BROTHERS!
TIGERS HEROES FREDDIE AND MANU TUILAGI BRING THEIR OWN BRAND OF GIN TO CITY
FREDDIE Tuilagi is known by most people for his successful career as a professional rugby player, which included a spell at Leicester Tigers between 2000 and 2004.
However, the 49-year-old former rugby league and rugby union international, who played for the Samoa national team, is now becoming known as much for his gin-making abilities as his prowess on the rugby pitch.
Together with his younger brother Manu, who played for Tigers between 2009 and 2020 and has represented England, Freddie has launched gin brand Tuilagin.
It was started by the brothers in June 2020, and according to Freddie, was inspired by his love of the drink.
“I drank so many gins, I decided to make my own gin!” said Freddie, adding that it has proved to be very popular, with online purchases over the past few months having exceeded their expectations.
Due to the success of the brand, Tuilagin will soon be opening its own “gin lab” in the centre of Leicester, where gin lovers will be able to make their own gin, enjoy a cocktail masterclass, chat with Freddie and, of course, drink some gin.
There are two varieties of Tuilagin available – a London dry gin, which is Freddie’s favourite, and a pink gin.
“Me and Manu worked together on the recipe, to find a taste we liked.
We’ve got 15 botanticals, as in the 15 members of a rugby team,” Freddie told the Mercury.
As well as reflecting the brothers’ rugby association, the gin also gives a nod to their Samoan background, with the label design based on Freddie’s traditional Samoan tattoo, called a tatau or malofie.
The gin is currently made at a small distillery in Blaby but, due to its success, Tuilagin will soon be moving production to a larger facility in Nottingham.
In addition to being available to buy online, Tuilagin is sold in a number of bars in England. This is an area which Freddie hopes to develop once the hospitality industry is fully open, and he also has plans to approach supermarkets.
The new Tuilagin gin lab will be located in a courtyard off Millstone Lane in the centre of Leicester – a space it will share with newlyopened bar RonnieRoos, which has Tuilagin on its drinks menu.
According to Freddie, the idea for the gin lab came about after he visited bars in Dorset and Manchester, which sell his Tuilagin, and he enjoyed talking to gin-lovers there.
This followed the gin’s launch last summer at a Bournemouth bar, Funky Gorilla, owned by a friend of his.
“I like engaging with people, I enjoy chatting with customers. People will come here to taste the gin, make gin, buy gin, and I’ll chat about rugby and gin,” said Freddie.
As Manu, 29, is still playing professional rugby, currently for Sale Sharks, Freddie will be the one running the gin lab.
Freddie said he chose Leicester as the location for their new venture due to the affinity he and his family have with the city.
“I still have a great connection with Leicester. It’s home away from home,” he said.
“We had 20 years with Tigers and we still have great friends here, at the club and in Leicester. I think it’s the right place to be.”
■ The gin lab is set to launch in June, following the further easing of restrictions. Bookings are now being taken via its website for visits from June 25.
We still have great friends here, at the club and in Leicester. I think it’s the right place
Freddie Tuilagi