Award-winning Manchester Gin has opened its new distillery along with its first-ever restaurant and bar, Three Little Words.
Bookings are now being taken for distillery tours and gin making experiences at the Spirit of Manchester Distillery, the new home for Manchester Gin, which sits under the Grade-II* listed brick railway arches on Watson Street, central Manchester.
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Spanning across six incredible railway arches, the distillery experience includes guided tastings highlighting key botanical notes, an exciting and interactive chronology of Manchester Gin and a look at the spirit’s connection to Manchester all in the very distillery where every single bottle of the gin is made. Guests can also distil their very own spirit in intimate gin-making sessions.
Seb and Jen who set up Manchester Gin have come a long way since their first batches of gin, which were distilled in their dining room just three years ago.
Jen, Co-Founder and Master Distiller said:
“It was our ambition to own our own bar. Three Little Words is a dream come true – a bar and restaurant but also an amazing visitor experience in the distillery itself where customers can experience the magic of gin, even make their own. We can’t wait to welcome the first visitors through the door and experience our Manchester Gin story.”
Manchester Gin Co-Founder and Master Distiller, Seb Heeley, said:
“We’ve always been passionate about our customers being a part of the Manchester Gin journey and we’re delighted we can now offer the opportunity for visitors to see how our gin is made, as we’ve brought cutting-edge distilling to Manchester.”
Guests will be able to view the impressive new 1000l still, which is capable of producing over a million litres of gin a year on-site. Standing at 4.2m tall, ‘Wonder Wend’ is a traditional copper still and is the largest of the four stills.
Named after Jen’s mum who sadly passed, the still’s name is a fitting tribute to her as it’s the latest to be named after strong inspirational woman. She will take her place alongside Emmeline and Victoria named after two north west legends, Emmeline Pankhurst and Victoria Wood. The three stills sit alongside the brand’s original Wendy still.
What sets this distillery experience apart from all others in the North West, is the adjoining premium cocktail bar and restaurant, Three Little Words.
Here, guests can enjoy lovingly created cocktails from fantastical and original concoctions to the perfectly made classics. Drinks are complemented by a fresh, seasonal food menu that takes inspiration from the botanicals that define the gins distilled on-site.
Bookings are now being taken for the 110 covers destination – offering 70 in the contemporary restaurant, and 40 in the luxurious cocktail bar.
The Three Little Words cocktail menu will be ever-evolving to explore new concoctions. The inventive bar team will craft seasonal specials and interesting spirits that excite every palate.
Volume 1 starts in the same way as Manchester Gin – with a love story. The menu moves through Lust, Rapture, Devotion, Eternity and ends with Ultimatum, creating flavours that evoke every stage of love: from excitement and freshness, through to darker, heavier flavours. All created using premium spirits shaken or stirred to perfection.
Within the restaurant, an international, modern interpretation of Manchester Gin’s botanicals will be brought to life. Flowing with the seasons, a menu of small and large plates will conjure up unique flavours.
Three Little Words supports local suppliers and businesses. The menus are seasonal, and the restaurant is working with Carbon-Free Dining in an effort to reach carbon neutrality within a year.
Distillery experiences:
DISTILLERY TOUR AND GUIDED TASTING
45-60 minutes mins | £20 per person
Experience the passion behind the gin, in an intimate tour of the Spirit of Manchester Distillery. Learn about the gin-making process, the brand’s growth, and the history of the city that inspired the spirit in the heart of the distillery. See, smell and hear the gin in production, and then enjoy a guided tasting of the full award-winning range.
Guests will enjoy a G&T on arrival and samples of the full range of gins as well as 10% off in our on-site shop.
GIN-MAKING EXPERIENCE
2.5-3hrs | £85
Guests will enjoy the full tour and guided tasting before embarking on their own gin-making experience. Under the guidance of one of the Manchester Gin team, guests will choose their own botanicals and distill their own gin to take home. The process is exactly as we distill our own award-winning gin, but guests are encouraged to create their own unique blend.
Guests will enjoy two G&Ts, samples of the full range, nibbles during the gin-making, and 10% off in our on-site shop.
Experiences are open to all those aged 18 and over.