Sip Happens: York’s Most Villainous Tasting Tour

Promotional blog provided by Villains Rum

This Is No Ordinary Tour…

If you’re after a pleasant stroll and polite historical facts, keep walking. But if you’d prefer your York history served with sharp wit, bold rum, and a dash of villainy - step inside.

Tucked away on Little Stonegate, Villains Rum offers something completely different: an immersive tasting experience that brings the city’s darker past to life, one glass at a time. It’s deliciously wicked - and brilliantly entertaining.

Real Villains. Real History. Really Good Rum.

This isn’t your average tour with a guide in a fleece and a flag. Guests are led by in-character villains who take great pleasure in revealing York’s true underbelly: the executions, betrayals, scandals, and plots that rarely make it onto the official plaques.

It’s theatrical, educational, and just the right amount of irreverent. And yes, it’s all based on real history.

Each Rum Tells a Story

The tasting itself is cleverly paired with tales of York’s most infamous figures. Each villainous spirit reflects the character and crime it’s inspired by. Expect fiery blends for would-be rebels, sweet notes with sinister undertones, and the occasional unexpected twist

From the Chilli Spiced (a nod to Guy Fawkes) to the brutal kick of the Erik Bloodaxe's Black Cherry, every sip has a story to tell…. and not all of them end well.

Meet York’s Most Notorious

Villains featured on the tour (amongst others) include:

• Guy Fawkes – Born in York, famed for treason, and still causing sparks centuries later.
   
• Erik Bloodaxe – Viking king with an excellent name and a terrible retirement plan.
   
• Dick Turpin – Highwayman, fraud, and rogue who’s far more romanticised than he deserves.

Their lives, crimes, and punishments are laid bare with dark humour and expert storytelling.

A Shop with a Secret

Even outside of tour times, Villains Rum of York is worth a visit. The shop itself feels more like a villain’s hideaway than a retail space, dimly lit, filled with curiosities, and staffed by characters who stay suspiciously in role.

Whether you’re picking up a bottle or just browsing, you’ll likely leave with a few unusual facts and a grin.

A Bold New Way to Experience York

With intimate group sizes, sharp delivery, and top-quality spirits, the Villains Rum tasting tour is fast becoming one of York’s must-do experiences for adults with a taste for history (and a tolerance for mischief).

Tickets are limited - and with good reason. This isn’t a mass-market experience. It’s something special, for those curious enough to seek it out.

🎟 Book your place now at https://villainsrum.com/villainstour/
 🍹 For those who prefer their history a little darker and their rum a little stronger.

You can also find Fairytale Gin reluctantly available within the shop.