Rooted in the ribble valley
Welcome to The Nab Lab! We are Lisa and Kieran O’Brien, and along with our children, Aoifa and Finnolagh, we are the local family proudly running this gin school in the heart of Whalley.
Our passion for The Nab Lab stems from a shared love of bringing people together and creating unique, fun experiences. We both believe strongly in the incredible sense of community that the Ribble Valley—and in particular, the up-and-coming village of Whalley—offers.
Meet the distillers
We each bring a wealth of experience to running The Nab Lab:
Lisa is a dedicated primary school teacher with over 20 years of experience. She loves the interactive nature of teaching and pours that enthusiasm into our gin school, where she guides guests through the art of distilling. Of course, she's also always keen on trying the latest new gins!
Kieran has spent over 20 years as an Aerospace Engineer. This background in precision and detail ensures that everything at The Nab Lab, from the custom distillation equipment to the experience itself, is meticulously managed and runs smoothly.
While we are the family leading The Nab Lab today, the business was founded with a tremendous spirit of hope and resilience. The name and 'Spirit of The Nab' gin are inspired by the stunning local landmark Whalley Nab, a place deeply connected to our community and the inspiration that started it all.
We are incredibly proud to continue growing this business, inviting people from both near and far to immerse themselves in something different, create a personalised bottle of gin, and experience the warm, vibrant atmosphere of our wonderful village.
The business was originally founded by Brooke during a time of great adversity, which established its deep roots in the local community. The name itself is inspired by the stunning Whalley Nab, a place where Brooke spent countless hours walking with her family, often foraging for local botanicals. This enduring spirit of resilience, passion, and connection to the landscape continues to define the lab today.
Now proudly run by Lisa and Kieran, alongside their children, Aoifa and Finnolagh, we aim to bring together people from near and far to immerse themselves in something different, create memorable experiences, and have fun. When you visit, you'll be welcomed to create your very own bespoke 70cl bottle of gin, becoming a part of the unique and unforgettable spirit of The Nab Lab.
