The Spirit of Manchester Distillery has teamed up with Michelin-starred chef Simon Martin to create an oyster gin, called Mother of Pearl. To create the gin, the English producer distils oyster shells from Martin’s Michelin-starred restaurant Mana in Manchester.
“Each sip of our oyster gin will transport you to the wild Northern coasts with an aroma of fresh sea air and the distilled essence of fresh oysters, rich woody pine, and bright lemon,” says the brand.
“The process has been an exciting collaboration with Simon, in which we’ve created a totally unique gin that, like some of the Mana’s dishes, pushes the boundaries of gastronomy,” said Seb Heeley, master distiller at The Spirit of Manchester Distillery. “We’ve challenged ourselves to develop something unusual that defies expectations of what a gin should taste like. It’s definitely different and may surprise some people but when you smell and taste it, you should feel transported to the seaside. We’ve really captured the essence of coastal air to create a unique drinking experience.”
Simon Martin added, “It’s wonderful to see our Oyster shells, which are usually discarded, being transformed into something so unique and purposeful. Manchester Gin mirrors our ethos and methods to create a spirit which is balanced, refined, but above all, delicious.”
Bottled at 42% ABV, Manchester Gin Mother of Pearl is available to purchase for £35 ($48 USD) per 500ml bottle from Three Little Words, Mana, or online via the brand’s official website.
In March, The Spirit of Manchester Distillery announced the release of One-Eyed Rebel rum. The offering is the brand’s first foray into rum.
If you’re interested in other maritime flavored gins, we sat down with distiller Rebekah Morrison of Isle of Harris Gin to learn more about the Scottish brand.