Reaching a ten year anniversary is a significant moment for us. When we founded The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, we had a simple goal. We wanted to create a gin we loved, that also represented the city we call home. Today, as we look back on the journey of our Signature gin, we are reflecting on a decade that began with just a 60 litre still in our dining room, and a refusal to compromise on the quality of our liquid.
Reaching this milestone is a testament to the consistency of our spirit and the strength of the partnerships we have built across the region. It hasn’t been an easy journey but what we are proud of is that it has been defined by staying true to the standards we set in our dining room ten years ago.
From 60 Litres to 200,000 Bottles
When we started, our scale was incredibly small. Working on a 60 litre still allowed us to stay close to every drop of liquid we produced. It was during those early days that we realised craft distilling did not have to mean a compromise on quality. The hands-on nature of our process allowed us to achieve a standard that we were proud to put our names on, even if we did flood our dining room in the process. Twice!
That mindset has shaped the last decade. While our distillery has grown, our approach remains exactly the same. We still taste every batch and we still sign off every bottle ourselves. We are incredibly proud to have now distilled over 200,000 bottles of our Signature gin. For an independent distillery, this feels huge for us. It proves that our commitment to flavour is appreciated and that the standards we set at the beginning are just as relevant today.
Investing in Our Identity
One of the most important turning points for us was the decision to move away from standard industry bottles. Being one of the first craft distilleries to invest in a bespoke, custom bottle came at a significant cost at the time. However, we believed that if the liquid inside was world class, the presentation of it also had to reflect that same level of care.
We wanted a bottle that carried the visual impact of our city. This move was about more than just aesthetics though. For us it was a signal to our customers that we were building something permanent. It gave our stockists a product they could be proud to display on the top shelf, knowing that the outside of the bottle reflected the technical precision that went into the distillation.
Closing a chapter
We can’t reflect on the last ten years without acknowledging one of the hardest choices we’ve ever had to make - closing what we truly believed would be our forever home. When we opened our city centre distillery in 2019, it felt like everything we had worked towards had finally come together. We took on six derelict railway arches and with a huge amount of our own time, energy and money, transformed them into something we were incredibly proud of. It was meant to be permanent. A place for our team, our customers, and our story to live and grow.
Having to close those doors was heartbreaking. We didn’t just lose the premises, we lost a team, a space full of memories and a part of our identity. But sometimes things don’t unfold the way you imagine, no matter how much you believe in them. What remains though is the impact it had, the people who were part of it, and the resilience it’s given us to keep moving forward.
Looking Toward the Next Decade
Despite last year, Manchester is where we met and where we continue to build our legacy. This city is where our heart is and what gives us the foundation and creativity that is woven into every bottle we produce. As we celebrate this anniversary, we look forward to the future, sharing the next chapter in our history and the release of Manchester’s first whisky
The next ten years will see us continue to push the boundaries of what an independent distillery can achieve. We remain a business run by the people who built it, fuelled by a genuine love for the craft. We want to thank every stockist, partner and customer who has been part of this ten year story. We are ready for the next decade of uncompromising Manchester craft.