The Manchester gin company selling its Southeast Asian inspired drinks around the world

Greater Manchester-based Tarsier Spirit has announced plans to launch Stateside after securing a deal with a US based drinks retailer.

Tarsier’s range of Southeast Asian inspired gins will be stocked in five states including California, Arizona, Kentucky, Georgia and Texas after signing up with Total Wine & More, a large, family-owned American alcohol retailer.

The US deal marks the company’s first foray into the US. Its gins are exported from its Stockport distillery to more than 15 countries including Singapore and Taiwan.

The brand was created in 2018 after co-founder, Tim Driver, was inspired by the flavours he discovered during a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia in 2014.

He spent the next three years developing the gin’s recipe with his business partner Sherwin Acebuche at his kitchen table where they came up with the brand concept.

The pair wanted to bring the authentic flavours and experiences of Southeast Asian botanicals to the world whilst raising awareness of the endangered tarsier primate – 10 per cent of its profits go to support conservation projects in Southeast Asia.

While the company is based locally, it has found its market outside of Greater Manchester.

Said Sherwin: “The market for gin is huge and in Manchester there are already some well known brands.  To get our voices heard in this market we wanted to come up with a different concept.

“Through travels and a love for Asia and the food, we decided to bring distinct Southeast Asian flavours to gin. These flavours work well and they’ve been a hit with our customers.

“Although we’re based in Greater Manchester, we’ve found a strong overseas demand.

“We are featured in prestigious venues like Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, The American Club in Hong Kong and Raffles Hotels & Resorts in Cambodia thanks to people who believe in what we do and what Tarsier represents.

“To also get into the US market shows the global appetite for Tarsier. We’re super excited about the growth there and hope to expand to other states.”

Botanicals in Tarsier Gins include the Filipino calamansi, Thai sweet basil, Vietnamese galangal, Cambodia Kampot pepper as well as well as Thai Red Dragon Fruit, Vietnamese Lychee and Oriental Raspberry.

The range of drinks it supplies include; the Khao San Gin, Oriental Pink Gin, Southeast Asian Dry Gin, Lychee & Raspberry Bonbon and the Calamansi Negroni.

Tarsier founders Tim Driver and Sherwin Acebuche

Tim added: “Our flavours are unique, and we’ve spent a long time getting it right which has resonated with global consumers.

“We’re looking to grow our global customer base, but it will also be great to do more in Manchester.

“As we get out of lockdown, we’re also looking forward to going back out to Asia where we can do gin masterclasses and bar takeovers as it gives us a chance to market the brand but also get to understand our consumers better.”