The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, producer of Manchester Gin, was best in class at the Spirits Business Awards this week, as winner of best Distillery Consumer Experience, in the Tourism awards category.
The international award categories comprised of five areas: Retail and Marketing, Sustainability and Innovation, Tourism, Products, and People, with each award having a winner and runner-up.
The 2020 judging panel included many prestigious industry names, including The Spirits Business editor, David T Smith, and spirits writer and co-founder of the Craft Distilling Expo; Bryan Rodriguez.
The Distillery Consumer Experience Award was one of two awards in the Tourism category and top position was awarded to the Manchester distillery which is housed under Grade-II* listed brick railway arches in the city centre.
Speaking about why the distillery received top marks above other distilleries from around the world, Rodriguez said: “I love that you can make your own gin with the mini stills, it’s a great way to enhance your experience.”
On the award win, Manchester Gin Co-founder and Master Distiller Seb Heeley said: “It has been a really tough year for many businesses within the drinks industry so to be recognised for our distillery tours really is an honour. We can’t wait to get back open and welcome guests to the distillery as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
Manchester Gin opened The Spirit of Manchester Distillery under Grade-II* listed brick railway arches in central Manchester in September 2019. Here visitors can take part in gin tours, guided tastings and can experience distilling their very own spirit in intimate gin-making sessions. What sets this distillery experience out from all others in the north west, is the adjoining premium cocktail bar and restaurant, Three Little Words. Here guests can try the lovingly created cocktails and ever-evolving food menu, all inspired by the botanicals used in the creation of the gins.
The annual awards ceremony that launched in 2019 took place virtually this year due to social distancing restrictions across the UK. The judging panel scrutinised this year’s nominations over Skype and the verdicts were broadcast live on YouTube on Tuesday 1 December.
