Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is produced at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, and is the original flagship gin of the distillery. It was created by distiller PJ Rigney as a meeting point between traditional Irish distillation and botanicals discovered on travels through Asia. The name Gunpowder refers to the Chinese green tea used in the recipe, whose leaves are rolled into small pellets that resemble grains of gunpowder. Slow distilled by hand in medieval style copper pot stills, this gin is made in small batches and bottled on site in the lakeside distillery.

The recipe brings together twelve botanicals. Eight are steeped and distilled in the pot still: juniper berries, coriander seed, angelica root, orris root, caraway seed, meadowsweet, cardamom and star anise. Four further botanicals are vapour infused in a basket above the still: Chinese gunpowder tea, lemon peel, oriental grapefruit peel and kaffir lime. This combination of classic European botanicals, Irish meadow plants and citrus and tea from Asia gives the gin its distinctive balance of freshness, spice and gentle bitterness.

On the nose, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin shows bright notes of fresh citrus peel, especially lemon, lime and grapefruit, supported by juniper, green tea and soft oriental spice. Floral nuances and a light meadow sweetness from meadowsweet and other botanicals add an elegant lift. On the palate, it is crisp and vibrant, with citrus to the fore, followed by green herbs, juniper and the subtle tannic grip and faint smokiness of gunpowder tea. Cardamom, star anise and other spices build a gentle warmth without becoming aggressive. The texture is smooth and rounded, helped by the resting period after distillation, and the finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering lime zest, light pepper, anise and a delicate herbal aftertaste.

The gin is slow distilled in copper pot stills and, after distillation, the spirit rests for a period of ten days before being blended with local spring water and bottled. This resting step is described by the distillery as important for allowing the flavours to integrate and the texture to soften. The distinctive square blue bottle, embossed with a Chinese style seal, reflects both the Irish origin and the influence of Asian botanicals.

Since its launch, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin has received significant international recognition, including a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and other honours at major spirits competitions. The brand has also been highlighted at international awards as an example of how a small Irish distillery can achieve global reach. The gin is typically recommended with a premium tonic and a wedge of fresh grapefruit or citrus, but it also works well in classic cocktails such as a Gin and Tonic with lime, a Tom Collins or a Martini, where its combination of citrus brightness, tea dryness and gentle spice can be clearly appreciated.