Joy Division’s Peter Hook creates Haçienda-inspired gin

English brand Manchester Gin has partnered with Joy Division co-founder Peter Hook to create a new expression inspired by Manchester music venue The Haçienda.

Manchester Gin – FAC51 The Haçienda is made with lemon and lime peel in honour of the acid house movement

Hook, who played bass in English rock bands Joy Division and New Order, partnered with Manchester Gin to create FAC51 The Haçienda, which features lemon and lime peel in a nod to the acid house movement the venue was famous for.

As well as lemon, lime and juniper, the Haçienda-inspired gin includes locally-foraged dandelion and burdock root, which gives the gin it’s “smooth and balanced depth of flavour”.

Hook said: “The whole process was brilliant, I wanted to choose ingredients for the gin that told a story of the Haçienda – I love the reference to acid house and smooth notes.  But, while I was there for the selection of the ingredients, I had to leave the final tasting and approval to my wife.”

The Haçienda opened in May 1982 and hosted performances from Manchester bands including Joy Division and The Smiths. It was also the setting for the first UK performance from Madonna.

The first two batches of the new gin are available in limited-edition bottles featuring artwork inspired by FAC51, the official name for the warehouse The Haçienda opened in.

Manchester Gin master distiller Seb Heeley said: “This collaboration is an amazing opportunity to bring together two iconic Manchester brands, new and old.

“While our gin is relatively new to the city, we wanted to pay tribute to a cultural movement so this partnership is a perfect way to celebrate the past, present, and future of Manchester.”

Manchester Gin – FAC51 The Haçienda is bottled at 42% abv and is priced at £36 (US$43.47) per 500ml bottle.

Peter Hook played bass in Joy Division and New Order, image courtesy of Paul Hudson