Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with California Orange Citrus

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with California Orange Citrus is part of the Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin family from The Shed Distillery in County Leitrim, Ireland. It keeps the recognizable Gunpowder structure, built around juniper, oriental botanicals, gunpowder tea and bright citrus, then pushes the profile toward a more sunlit orange register. At 43% ABV, it has enough structure for a gin and tonic while remaining approachable, aromatic and clearly citrus-led. The California orange is not just a decorative flavour note; it changes the balance of the gin by adding a sweeter, juicier citrus tone to the drier tea, spice and juniper base.

Citrus · Spicy · Floral · Herbal

The botanical frame remains detailed: coriander seed, cardamom, angelica rootAngelicaThe root of a tall umbellifer, earthy and musky. After juniper and coriander it is the most common botanical: it binds the aromas and holds the finish.Glossary, caraway, meadowsweetMeadowsweetA wet-meadow flower smelling of honey and almond, with a faint medicinal note.Glossary, iris root, star anise, gunpowder tea, lemon, lime, grapefruit and Californian orange sit around the juniper. The result is not a simple orange gin.

On the nose, the first impression is bright and fresh, with orange peel, grapefruit, lime and lemon moving over the familiar green-tea signature of Drumshanbo. Cardamom, star anise and caraway bring a dry spicy lift, while meadowsweet gives a softer floral edge.

On the palate, the gin opens with juicy orange and crisp citrus oils, then becomes drier through tea, spice and juniper. The gunpowder tea gives a lightly tannic green note, which keeps the orange from becoming too sweet. Grapefruit adds bitterness, lime gives tension, and cardamom brings a clean aromatic warmth. The finish is medium to long, with lingering orange peel, juniper, green tea and dry spice. It is more rounded than the original Drumshanbo profile, but still recognizably structured and botanical.

For a perfect servePerfect serveThe way the producer recommends serving the gin (glass, tonic, ratio, garnish) to show it at its best.Glossary, keep the drink cold, clean and citrus-focused. A dry tonic with good quinineQuinineAn alkaloid from cinchona bark that gives tonic its bitterness. The British in India drank it against malaria and added gin: the gin and tonic was born.Glossary structure works well, especially in a copa glassCopa glassA large stemmed balloon glass, popularised by the Spanish gin and tonic: it stays cold for longer and gathers the aromas above the drink.Glossary with plenty of ice. A dehydrated orange slice or a thin fresh orange wheel is enough; heavier herbs or multiple citrus garnishes would make the serve less precise. This gin can also work in highballsHighballA long drink served in a tall, straight glass with plenty of ice: a spirit topped with soda or tonic. The word also names the glass.Glossary and citrus-forward cocktails, but its most readable format remains a simple gin and tonic where orange, tea and spice stay visible together.