Salford Distillery has unveiled the Manchester Explorer Edition, a new airport-exclusive 70cl rum created in partnership with Manchester Airport.
Launching now and available through World Duty Free airport retail, the special edition golden rum is inspired by the navy-style rums that once passed through Salford Docks during the city’s industrial peak, combining carefully selected rums from Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad, aged for up to five years before being blended and bottled at Salford Distillery. The result is a rich, full-bodied rum with notes of tobacco, caramel and tropical fruit, reflecting both traditional Caribbean rum-making and the craftsmanship of one of the UK’s most celebrated independent distilleries.
Designed to be as collectable as the liquid inside, the unique bottle features a bespoke illustrated map of Manchester landmarks, created by renowned artist Dave Draws in collaboration with Manchester Airport. The artwork celebrates the city region’s landmarks and identity, making the bottle a unique memento for shoppers through airport duty -free retailers.
The launch marks another milestone for Salford Distillery as the brand continues to expand its reach beyond the UK, introducing thousands of international travellers passing through Manchester Airport to one of the region’s fastest-growing premium spirits brands. The Salford Distillery brand is going from strength to strength within airport retail having sold over 20,000 bottles since launch in 2024. It launched with Original and Dark and expanded the range to include Honey in summer 2025 and this launch marks a trajectory for the rum into a wider, global audience.
Tommy Gaughan, co-founder of Salford Distillery, says: “We’re incredibly proud to launch the Manchester Explorer Edition in partnership with Manchester Airport. This bottle is a celebration of where we come from and the journey we’re on as a distillery. Salford has a remarkable history with rum, thanks to the bustling docks that once connected the city to the Caribbean, and we’ve drawn on that heritage to create something that feels authentically local while looking out to the world.
“Every day, thousands of visitors fly through Manchester Airport, making it the perfect place to introduce a spirit that’s proudly made just a few miles away.
A spokesperson for Avolta duty-free retail at Manchester Airport says: “It’s a real highlight for us to bring this Manchester Airport exclusive rum to life in partnership with Salford Distillery. The collaboration is a fantastic celebration of local creativity and shared ambition, and the bottle, designed by Dave Draws with input from our own airport team, perfectly captures the spirit of the launch – bold, authentic and rooted in the character of Manchester. We’re proud to offer travellers a unique product that reflects both place and partnership.”
Travellers who purchase a bottle this summer are encouraged to share where it ends up by tagging #TakeSalfordWithYou on social media, showcasing the global journeys of a rum proudly made in Salford.
The Manchester Explorer Edition (40% abv) is available exclusively from Manchester Airport Duty-Free for an RRP of £27.49. It is also available to order online for collection at UK airports through World Duty Free retailers.
For more details, visit the website: https://www.salforddistillery.com/
