Craft Distilleries Unite to Make Spirits Bright This Christmas

Craft distilleries across the UK are joining forces this festive season to spotlight the country’s incredible distilling talent and bring consumers closer to unique, meaningful local experiences.

The Actually Made In campaign, originally launched by four leading independent UK distilleries earlier this year, has grown significantly, with over 140 verified distilleries sharing a collective message of transparency, community, and education.

This Christmas, Actually Made In members are launching an exciting social media campaign, exclusively hosted on the @actually_made_in Instagram account, offering participants the chance to win one of ten bespoke distillery and hotel experience packages.

‘Actually Made In’ co-founder Seb Heeley of The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, comments:

“The ‘Actually Made In’ campaign is about celebrating the incredible diversity and talent within the UK distilling sector. This Christmas, we want to raise spirits in every way and celebrate communities. We want consumers to experience the authenticity and passion behind every bottle.”

Chris Leeke, Managing Director of www.hensolcastledistillery.com, added:

“At Hensol Castle Distillery, we believe it’s vital for consumers to know the story behind their drinks – where they’re made, who makes them and the passion that goes into every bottle. The ‘Actually Made In’ campaign is a powerful way to shine a spotlight on authenticity and celebrate the incredible craftmanship found across the UK. This Christmas, we’re thrilled to be part of a movement that connects people with real, meaningful experiences and showcases the very best of British distilling.”

An Unforgettable Christmas Giveaway

The Actually Made In Christmas campaign features ten incredible prize packages, showcasing the best of UK craft distilling and hospitality. Lucky winners will be rewarded with bespoke packages created by distilleries teaming up with local hotels, pubs, or BnBs, which have generously donated overnight stays.

These packages are designed to create memorable experiences for the winners and to encourage drinkers to explore the UK’s craft distilling scene, discovering hidden gems they may never have visited before.

Some of the fantastic prize packages include:

●       The Spirit of Manchester Distillery (Manchester) – Craft your own 700ml bottle of Manchester Gin on their Gin Making Experience, plus £50 to spend in their bar and an overnight stay for two at the Hilton Deansgate with breakfast included.

●       Hensol Castle Distillery (South Wales) – A gin-making experience, luxury overnight stay at Vale Resort, full Welsh breakfast, and use of leisure facilities.

●       Isle of Raasay Distillery – A whisky and chocolate tasting, a distillery tour, a welcome drink, and a three-course evening meal, paired with a stay at the distillery itself in the beautiful Borodale House.

●       Shed One Distillery (Lake District) – A welcome tipple, a guided tasting of five spirits with the owners, a stay at the Lonsdale House Luxury Apartments, and access to the exclusive “Secret Garden.”

Participating Distilleries and Partners:

●       The Spirit of Manchester Distillery – Hilton Deansgate – Manchester

●       Masons of Yorkshire – Hotel TBC – North Yorkshire

●       Isle of Raasay Distillery – Borodale House – Isle of Raasay, Scotland

●       Wharf Distillery – Saracens Head Hotel – Towcester

●       Stockport Gin – Holiday Inn Express Stockport – Stockport

●       Nelson’s Distillery – Hotel TBC – Uttoxeter

●       Black Shuck Distillery – Saltmarch Rooms – Fakenham

●       Hensol Castle Distillery – Vale Resort – Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales

●       Shakespeare Distillery – Crowne Plaza Stratford – Warwickshire

●       Padstow Distillery – The Seafood Restaurant – Padstow, Cornwall

●       Shed One Distillery – Lonsdale House Luxury Apartments – Lake District 

More Than Just a Competition

The campaign is about much more than winning prizes. It aims to:

●       Showcase Authentic Craftsmanship: Highlighting the unique experiences offered by independent distilleries across the UK.

●       Inspire Experience Gifting: Encouraging consumers to gift distillery tours and shared, in-person experiences this holiday season.

●       Promote Local Tourism: Strengthening ties between consumers and craft producers, while supporting local businesses and regional economies.

Amplifying Local Craftsmanship and Community

By partnering with local hotels and BnBs, distilleries are showcasing the best their regions have to offer, driving tourism, and supporting small businesses. This collaboration embodies the spirit of Actually Made In – celebrating authenticity, transparency, and community over competition.

‘Actually Made In’ co-founder Karl Mason of Mason’s Yorkshire Gin adds:
“We are thrilled to see so many distilleries coming together for this. Christmas is the perfect time to share unique experiences, and with Actually Made In, we’re inviting consumers to explore the very best of British distilling, from the hands of those who actually make it.”

Join the Festivities:

The competition launches exclusively on the @actually_made_in Instagram account. To enter, participants simply need to follow the account and complete the entry form at the link in bio.

Entries close on 18th December, and winners will be announced on 19th December.

For further details, visit @actually_made_in on Instagram.