The Best: Manchester and Salford spirits brands you need to try

Inspired by the flowing Caribbean imports through Salford Docks in the late Victorian era, The Salford Rum Company produces critically acclaimed spiced rum in small batches, with gorgeous bottle designs illustrated by local artist Dave Draws. They also offer an in-house Spiced Rum Experience. You can pick some up in Harvey Nichols, The Whiskey Exchange, Threshers or a range of local spirits stockists.

Voted the actual best gin in the world at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, DEFIANCE produces a dizzying selection of flavoured and steeped gins, with endless combinations of flavours and vintages, out of their Oldham distillery. From an unaged 57% ABV ‘Navy Strength’ option, Maple Toffee Vodka and a new Seville-inspired orange gin, The DEFIANCE Distillery effortlessly mixes quality with quantity.

Following a 2014 backtracking trip, the Tarsier founders developed a range of gins based on the various sensory joys of Southeast Asia. The brand’s latest offering includes a Cambodian dry gin, a Lychee & Rapsberr pink gin, and a Chilli & Lemongrass Gin.

Limited-run whisky independently-bottled right on our doorstep? Yes please. Along with producing some of the most exciting, sublime whisky you’ll try, Chorlton Whisky also host events and tastings that’d be a perfect gift for any whisky aficionado.

Set up by two brothers-in-law, Emerald Gin operates out of a garden shed distillery, which they built themselves — a brilliant story in itself. Amongst the current award-winning flavours are a Valencian Orange Gin, London Dry Gin, Pink Gin, a festive Spiced Christmas Gin and a lovely-sounding Oak-aged Gin.

After two mates spotted blackberries growing through the remains of a derelict pub, Ancoats Distillery came about via one of the more unlikely origin stories. Since then, the team have significantly bolstered their offering, and stock now ranges from classic and flavoured gins to craft vodka and honey rum, as well as bottles paying homage to Monton, Urmston and Stretford.

Led by husband and wife team Paul and Cheryl, the story of the now award-winning Stockport Gin started back in 2006. The pair had been off to watch Stockport County against Toquay, only the game was called off, a weekend in the pub gave birth to what would turn out to be a life-changing idea. Alongside their core edition, there’s a Twist of Lime flavour, super-strength Gunpowder gin and a Viaduct Vodka. The team even runs a gin school, as well as distillery tours in the heart of Stockport.