Manchester Three Rivers award-winning gin experience is now bigger and better than ever

Manchester Three Rivers have not only won awards for the quality of their gin, they’ve also gained national recognition and won awards for the quality of their unique gin experience.

Manchester Three Rivers was the dream of Dave Rigby, who in 2015 brought together three friends and got to work on creating Manchester’s first ever city centre gin distillery in a Green Quarter railway arch.

Building a space that not only allowed them to handcraft their premium quality gin but could also be designed as a showcase for their story, the history of gin and to facilitate an interactive experience for guests to participate in the gin renaissance was something the four founders wanted to achieve from the start.

This interactive experience became the Manchester Three Rivers gin experience and it took off from day one, quickly launching Three Rivers to the top of TripAdvisor.

Due to huge demand, the team have launched their new and expanded gin experience this month, switching things up to offer sessions for up to thirty people with tours running every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“It was really important to us that we didn’t just expand the space but also improve the experience for guests, keeping the intimacy,” says Dave. “I think we have done that and got something very special.”

Everything you see when you attend the gin experience (other than the beautiful 450L copper still, known as Angel) was hand built by Dave and his dad, transforming the archways into something truly beautiful.

Shelves of botanicals line the walls of the school, flanking rows of glimmering mini-copper stills. At the back is a custom built bar, which keeps the gin flowing throughout the night.

It’s a boozy and informative affair, starting with a G&T on arrival at the distillery followed by an entertaining and educational video on a cinema screen about the rise and fall (and rise again) of gin, and why it is so important for the company to be in the heart of Manchester.

Led by informative host Pete, even the most seasoned of gin nerds will learn new tidbits of information to show off to your juniper-loving pals. For example, Pete told us that the gin palaces of days gone by were known for bringing together all classes and were also known as the people’s palaces. A fact that’s well up our street – we love the idea that drinking gin can also engender community spirit.

Then you’re led downstairs to meet the incredible Angel, the 450 litre copper still.

Here you’re treated to a cocktail and neat spirits to sample and a short Q&A with the host before – the moment of truth – you’re led over to the new (and bigger) gin school, where you will make your very own bottle of gin to take home having created your own recipe from scratch.

Here you’re welcomed with another G&T and introduced to tablets which launch a directory of all the botanicals available. It’s a great feature, because whilst building your recipe on the tablet you can save it so you can re-order your personal bottle of gin from Three Rivers at a later date.

Finally, you’ll gather in the distillery – with your bottle of gin – for a gin champagne cocktail and a bit of a mingle as you wind down for the evening. All in all, a fantastic night.

You can see why the gin experience has rocketed to the top of TripAdvisor and is fast becoming Manchester’s top tourist attraction with people from all over the world clamouring to attend.

Priced at £95 a head, this 3-hour, immersive, interactive and boozy experience is great value for money.

Tickets and gift vouchers for the Manchester Three Rivers gin experience are available to buy now on their website.

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