An Exclusive with Mike Tindall

Mike Tindall is a World Cup winner, a former England captain, a business owner and a dad. He is also one-third of the world’s biggest rugby podcastThe Good, the Bad and the Rugby.

The new addition to his extensive and varied portfolio is Blackeye Gin - a premium spirit (with extremely rare ingredients!) that has been designed to shake up the market, with an aim to be known as the gin of rugby and to raise valuable funds for injured rugby players - a cause Mike is passionate about.

Tell us about Blackeye Gin, Mike. I wish I could tell you it was inspired by my love for artisanal botanicals, and a lifelong dream to distil gin drop by drop. The reality is that on one of our podcast episodes, we drank far too much gin, and had far too much fun and our audience suggested we make our own.

Why the name Blackeye?

Predominantly, it’s come from the last five years of the podcast I do with my old teammate James Haskell and presenter Alex Payne. We’ve had various scrapes and battles along the way and have decided to name a gin that reflects that sometimes you give them, and sometimes you get them. We’re still standing and have had a lot of fun along the way!

What are the causes you’re raising for?

Well, rugby is having a tough time at the moment. There are real challenges on and off the field, and we’re keen to help - we’re looking to raise £1m in the next three and a half years. We’ll be splitting the money raised across three pots; to fund research, risk, and recovery for players past and present. And all done through rugby fans enjoying an award-winning gin!

What’s next in your diary?

Well, the World Cup is fast approaching, which will be a busy time for the three of us, as we’ll be following the tournament in France with GB&R. England has got work to do, but there’s something emerging under Steve Borthwick. France and Ireland hold all the cards right now, but we’ve never had a line-up with so many contenders. The tournament promises to be an extraordinary festival of colour and passion. Once it’s over, we’re taking our own chaos and colour on a nationwide tour with The Good, The Bad and The Rugby; 17 dates across the country celebrating the best of the game. And drinking some Blackeye as we go.