Salford Rum maker launches its first gin
Greater Manchester-based Salford Distillery has switched up spirits with the release of a gin that pays homage to its home city in the Industrial Revolution.
The brand’s Greater Manchester distillery – formerly known as the Dirty Old Town Distillery and located in Arch 22 on Viaduct Street in Salford – has produced rum since it began making spirits in 2018.
Explaining the decision to branch out into gin, co-founder Tommy Gaughan, said the spirit tells another tale of the area around Salford’s past.
“Rum told the story of the docks, gin takes us further back to the role Salford played in the country’s Industrial Revolution,” he said. “This shows up on the bottle as a reminder of the responsibility we feel in telling Salford’s story on a national stage.”
The gin’s story links back to industrial Salford – to the Industrial Revolution where workers would brew and distil spirits from their own homes, which the brand described as “in the cramped ‘blind backs’ of Salford, single-room houses with no rear windows, proving creativity and intuition know no boundaries”.
Salford’s gin is made in the style of a classic London Dry and distilled at 40% ABV. It features juniper and lime on the nose, with ‘warming notes’ of willow bark and lemon balm.
The use of willow bark as a botanical in the recipe is another tribute to the brand’s locale in Manchester as willow trees that line the banks of the River Irwell are noted for originating the name ‘Salford’. “It’s a botanical rooted in place – just like the gin itself,” the brand said.
As with its rum range, the bottle of Salford’s gin also features a map illustration created by artist Dave Draws. The design highlights key landmarks from industrial Salford. For instance Trinity Church, which was founded in 1635 and still stands on Chapel Street today.
Salford Gin will be available from 8 February for £42 (US$58).
Last March, The Spirits Business caught up with Gaughan and Salford Distillery’s other co-founder, James Harrison, on the brand’s plans following a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than £300,000 (US$388,475).
In December, the distillery teamed up with English marmalade maker Duerr’s on a limited edition rum inspired by the classic English breakfast of marmalade on toast.
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