An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin

An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin is produced by Sliabh Liag Distillers and is recognised as the first gin to be distilled in County Donegal on Ireland's Atlantic coast. The distillery sits less than a mile from the sea at the foot of Sliabh Liag, and the gin was conceived as a way to capture the character of the Donegal shoreline. Its name, Dúlamán, comes from a traditional Irish folk song about seaweed gatherers and also refers to one of the seaweed species used in the recipe, underlining the close link between the gin and the local maritime culture.

The base of An Dúlamán is a classic combination of juniper, coriander, angelica, cassia, sweet orange peel and lemon peel. To this, the distillers add five varieties of hand harvested seaweed from the Donegal coast: sugar kelp, dulse, pepper dulse, carrageen moss and Dúlamán, also known as channel wrack. Sugar kelp brings a gentle sweetness, dulse contributes savoury salinity, carrageen moss adds a subtle nutty richness and texture, while pepper dulse delivers a distinctive spicy umami note. The spirit is distilled in small batches in a copper pot still named Méabh, with a deliberately low alcohol charge in the pot and a narrow cut to protect the more delicate coastal flavours, before being bottled at 43.2 percent alcohol by volume.

On the nose, An Dúlamán opens with a clear impression of sea breeze and wet rocks, joined by aromas of dried seaweed, fresh citrus peel and a clean core of juniper. The palate is complex and gently saline, combining soft juniper and herbal notes with hints of oyster shell, chestnut and a faint tannic grip from the seaweed. The texture is smooth and slightly oily, carrying flavours of lemon zest, sweet orange and warming spice across the tongue. The finish is long, dry and maritime, with lingering iodine, umami and citrus bitterness.

Presentation is an integral part of the identity of An Dúlamán. The dark, squat bottle is inspired by glass recovered from Spanish Armada wrecks off the Donegal coast and is closed with a wax seal. Each bottle is individually numbered, and the batch codes are linked to the phases of the moon, a detail that reflects the traditional knowledge of tides and seaweed harvesting on the Atlantic shore.

Since its launch, An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin has received international recognition, including Double Gold at the China Wine and Spirits Awards 2018, a Gold medal at The Drinks Business Gin Masters in 2018 and a Gold medal at the World Gin Masters Asia in the same year. It is particularly well suited to a gin and tonic with a classic or elderflower tonic and a slice of lemon, lime or grapefruit, and can also be used in classic gin cocktails by drinkers who enjoy a pronounced coastal profile.