Looking to spice up the drinks cabinet? Well, there are few of us that don’t enjoy a good G&T and even fewer of us that aren’t aware that the gin phenomenon in Ireland is showing no sign of slowing down. Choosing which gin to have, what garnishes to try and what fancy tonic waters to mix with, has never been so exciting!
Ginterest has taken the country by storm and distillers, infusers and foragers have never been so busy. From creating unique distillates to experimenting with weird and wonderful botanicals, it’s the perfect time to become well acquainted with the spirit!
Therefore, we decided to enlist the experts — Celtic Whiskey Shop & Wines on the Green — to point us in the right direction of five unusual yet distinctive gins! They are home to the biggest selection of gins in Ireland and are also organising Ireland’s largest Gin event —Gin Experience Dublin on April 12th & 13th at the Printworks in Dublin Castle — an essential day out in the calendar of any Ginthusiast!
1. Sling Shot Irish Gin
From Lough Ree Distillery in Co. Longford, Sling Shot Irish Gin is based on the story about how the legendary Queen Maeve of Connaught met her demise with a blow from a Slingshot while bathing at Inchcleraun on Lough Ree.
This delicious gin has been created from not one distillate but four separate high-quality distillates. A classic gin style distillate, a citrus distillate, a fresh mint distillate and a peat distillate, which have all been blended together to create what we know as Sling Shot Gin. Think hints of citrus, spice and a slightly earthy flavour from the peat!
2. Sixling Irish Gin
Ireland’s ONLY Cloudberry infused Gin —Cloudberry you may ask comes from a herbaceous plant that produces an amber coloured fruit not too dissimilar in taste to a raspberry or blackberry.
As well as Cloudberries, hand-foraged elderflowers from the Cooley Mountains and nine other botanicals are combined to create a delightfully fruity and herbal gin. For the perfect serve add some premium tonic, a few blackberries and lots of ice!
3. Bertha’s Revenge Small Batch Milk Gin
Paying homage to a famous cow called Bertha in Co.Kerry who lived to the age of 48 (real years, not cow years!) and gave birth to 39 calves. She became somewhat known as a local celebrity & her name is in the Guinness Book of World Records.
This gin really is quite the ode to Bertha as even the distillate is made using whey from local Cork dairy farmers as opposed to the more traditional distillate using grain. Other botanicals include grapefruit, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, sweet woodruff, Alexanders & elderflowers. Resulting in a very creamy, silky gin with hints of citrus and cardamom spice!
4. An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin
Capturing the “Draíocht na Farraige” — magic of the sea — is the team behind An Dúlamán gin at the Sliabh Liag Distillery in Co. Donegal.
Inspired by an Armada shipwreck and Donegal’s rich maritime heritage, they have locally harvested five seaweeds and gently distilled them with six other botanicals to create a delicious, maritime gin. Notes of brisk salt, citrus zest and buttery oysters coat the palate.
5. Chinnery Gin
Named after the famous artist George Chinnery who travelled from Georgian Dublin to the great trading port of Canton in Imperial China.
Chinnery gin strives to recreate the flavours of the Old China trade by distilling the most delicate of botanicals like Osmanthus flower & Oolong tea. Floral notes and sweet spices like clove and cardamom fill the senses followed by a distinct flavour of Turkish Delight.
All these gins are available at celticwhiskeyshop.com and will be sampled at Gin Experience Dublin. The Gin Experience Dublin will take place Friday 12th and Saturday 13th April.