Whilst browsing the club's official website for that perfect Xmas gift for a loved one, I came across a bottle of Gin, but it wasn't any Gin, it was a special Saints Gin infused with the St Mary's pitch.
I'm not much of a spirits drinker it has to be said, but I have to admit that it does intrigue me that I could actually drink something that has the actual pitch in it somewhere.
It turns out that the Club have joined up with the Winchester Distillery, to in their words:
"create a limited edition bespoke gin with carefully sourced botanicals including grass from the St Mary's Stadium pitch."
" A classic London Dry Gin distilled with Juniper Berries, Coriander seed, Angelica root, Orris Root, Liquorice root and Lemon peel, diluted after distillation with Hampshire spring water."
This is of course a craft Gin rather than the common or garden stuff you find in supermarkets and it is priced at that level £40 for a bottle although season ticket holders get 10% off so a more reasonable £36.
I have to admit I took a quick look at the Winchester Distillery's website to find out if they were doing it any cheaper, they weren't selling it direct, but their normal products were all around the same £36-£40 mark, so Saints haven't marked the price up.
There is also a craft Vodka available, sadly I didn't notice this until I had placed the order, so that one is going to have to wait.
So what does it taste like ? Well the one person I have spoken to who has sampled it, reckons it is really quite decent, the price is hefty, but you are paying the going rate for a craft product and therefore it is probably best sipped whist combing your beard and admiring your skinny jeans and tweed jacket, ie it is a drink for hipsters and not those who appreciate a £2.99 pint of Carlsberg in Weatherspoons.
I will of course give a full review once the bottle has arrived on my doorstep.
NB: For those cynics amongst you, I have purchased this with hard earned cash, the club has not paid me nor even sent me a complimentary bottle for this plug for their product.
However if they would like to do so, then they have my details on the data base and could they please send me a bottle of the vodka rather than the gin.
The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend adults do not regularly drink more than 14 units per week.
Please Drink Responsibly