Voted best in the world
It’s official. Defiance gin, distilled in Greater Manchester, UK, has been voted the best in the world at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), 2020. Up against more than 3000 entries, Defiance Navy Strength won the ‘Best in Show, Unaged White Spirit’ category.
The SFWSC was established in 2000. It is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions of its type in the world.
Defiance is the first British product to win the award since 2006.
Gin Academy
For the true gin connoisseur, Defiance Distillery’s Gin Academy gives you the chance to experience first-hand the art and science of creating your own unique bottle of gin.
We also offer a gin-tasting experience, where you can experience a selection of Defiance gins and rum.
Make Your Booking
Please note: due to relocation to new premises we will not be accepting any new bookings till March 2024
How To Book
We offer two experiences at Defiance Distillery: The Gin Academy, where you can make your own gin, and Weekend Nights at Defiance, where you can enjoy our range of award-winning gins and rum in our beautiful distillery.
Choose which experience you would like to attend, then find a date that works for you in the calendar (hover over your preferred date to make sure there are spaces available).
Once you have chosen your date, you can add the experience to your shopping basket and checkout. You will receive a confirmation email.
You can find out more in our detailed FAQ section.
Hover/click on a date in the calendar and it will show you how many places are available.
What’s included in the Gin Academy experience?
The original Defiance experience. Make your own unique bottle of gin whilst enjoying a fine selection of in house G&Ts. Explore our distillery to find out how we make our award-winning gins and rums. Learn about the art and science behind blending botanicals to create your own unique bottle of gin.
- A welcome gin on arrival
- Talk and tour on how we make spirits at Defiance Distillery
- 2nd gin… cocktail time
- Make your own bottle with a choice of over 40 botanicals
- Distillation time. You make a unique bottle of gin (buy a One Person, One Bottle ticket to get a bottle to yourself, or a Two People, One Bottle ticket to make a bottle to share with a friend)
- Light bites (cold cuts, cheese, meats, olives etc to share)
- Final G&T whilst we discuss and document your botanicals on the bottle (500ml approx. 40% abv)
- Approx 2.5 hours. The bar will remain open till 5pm as a pay per drink service. £6.00 per G&T (Draught beers also available)
- Ability to buy discounted Defiance Gin and Rum bottles.
- Re-order of your botanical bottle will be possible.
Foraged, Distilled & Bottled in the UK
How To Find Us
The distillery is located at Unit 9, Woodend Mill, Lees, Oldham OL4 5TH – follow through to the gates.
We are best accessed from Woodend Street – although your SatNav may think otherwise – and there is ample parking just beyond the distillery (but we don’t need to remind you that you should not be drinking and driving, do we!?). And we’re only a 5-minute taxi ride from Oldham Mumps tram stop.