Last Friday 27th of October, Sliabh Liag Distillery launched its new An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin. The spirit is inspired by Donegal’s coast and it’s made with ingredients from the Sliabh Liag Peninsula.
The gin’s name was chosen as a nod to the traditional song Dúlamán, which has been sung by several Irish artist over the years and was made famous by Donegal folk band Altan.
The launch took place at An Dúlamán Gin Palace, Sliabh Liag Distillery, Line Road, Carrick, Co. Donegal. The occasion celebrated “draíocht na farraige” or “the magic of the sea.”
Inspired by the coast, An Dúlamán Irish Maritime gin, just launched this weekend. Pull up a stool. #ginoclock #gin pic.twitter.com/MWcCjKBCKE
— ThomasConnolly Sligo (@ThomasConnolly_) October 29, 2017
Regarding how did they get the inspiration to produce this unusual gin, James Doherty, half of the husband and wife team directing the distillery, said: “My wife Moira was out picking Dulse with my aunt at Muckross Head close to Killybegs and she asked the question: ‘has anyone ever put this into alcohol?’. The seeds of an idea were born that day and we’re delighted to be able to share the result this weekend.”
The gin is made with local sweet kombu (sugar kelp), dillisk (dulse), pepper dulse, Carrageen moss and channel wrack.
“Once collected, each botanical is treated on its own merits”, James explains that some are dried to intensify their flavours and others with delicate umami essence are frozen. After that, “some of the ingredients go into Méabh, our hand beaten copper pot still and we add the more challenging ones into the flavour basket to be distilled into An Dúlamán, Irish Maritime Gin.”
The resulting spirit is described by James as having “a taste that captures fresh juniper, an umami richness and the dry tang of sea breeze.”
The Sliabh Liag Distillery has reclaimed Donegal’s distilling heritage and it’s the first distillery built in the county in over 170 years. James and Moira have a passion for Irish Whiskey and spirits and they are bringing their vision for “retelling the legends and folk lore of the Donegal Gaeltacht in a modern and confident way with super premium spirits.”
More information: sliabhliagdistillery.com