“You can’t have a spirits shop with only gin now, can you?” In that one question Tipples of Manchester sets out its stall. Vying for position as the city’s best off license, the pared back interior design of this wood clad shop stands in contrast to what’s on its shelves — elegant, luxurious, opulent and often hard-to-get-hold-of alcoholic drinks, across a range of types, sizes, origins and prices. Nevertheless, the place was set up with gin in mind, and promises its customers the choice of more than 75 individual bottles of juniper-base goodness. 

From rarities like Bimber, a specialist distiller behind Da Hong Pan Oolong Tea Gin and Kumquat Gin, among others, and Dancing Sands Sauvignon Gin, to high end but more commonly found bottles, such as Gin Mare and Scapegrace, you’ll struggle to find anywhere in the city with as much to choose from and such exacting standards. Like they said, though, gin’s not all. In total, Tipples of Manchester sells more than 1,000 individual products, all of which are here because they’re infinitely quaffable. Some of our favourites definitely include the Banana Bomb Spiced Rum, and Cut Overproofed Spiced Rum, and the Derrumbes Tamaulipas mezcal, which you don’t see everyday. 

Emphasising the point, this is one of few stores we know with a number of sotols to pursue, which is the state spirit of Chihuahua and boasts its own appellation of origin due to its unique qualities and production methods. Those looking for Raicilla will also be well served, in addition to more typical options like whisky, cognac and brandy. As you’d hope, experts are working behind the counter here to help customers make decisions and explore new flavours.