Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin

About Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin

Ok, the Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin bottle is a stunner and the mysteries on its label only hint on the wild ride on which you're about to embark.

Brilliant blue glass hides behind an off-white label emblazoned with...a jackelope?!?  Yes, the mythical creature of poorly themed American restaurants. Simplified Chinese characters in the upper right translate to "Chinese pearl tea." The bottom of the label reads "From the curious mind of PJ Rigney." The brand name sounds vaguely like a game you remember from childhood where someone tried to punch you...

What is this?? 

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is a worldclass gin like no other. From the rolling green fields of County Leitrim, Ireland, this gin hails from the small 900 person town of Drumshanbo, better known for its pot still Irish whiskey. Well, those pot stills also make a mean gin.

But, this isn't just any boring gin. Drumshanbo Gunpowder takes its name from gunpowder tea. Since the Tang Dynasty, some Chinese tea merchants have rolled dried green or oolong tea leaves into small pellets or gunpowder tea. This rolling technique protected the tea ahead of its long voyage to markets far away, including Ireland!

Today, gunpowder tea provides the core botanical behind eccentric founder PJ Rigney's wonderful gin. It's complemented by eleven other botanicals ranging from Asian citrus to caraway.

Ok, so that just leaves the jackalope. Why a jackalope? No idea! Try it and put your best guess in a review below.

And, while you're at it. This gin is excellent for cocktails. Greg Mayer selected it as the recommended spirit to pair with Shaker & Spoon’s Ginuary Box. 

Recommended by: Greg Mayer, creator of the Framboise Thaw

“My recommendation is the Shed Distillery’s Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, which is a beautiful harmony of fresh citrus botanicals and powerful gunpowder green tea notes. It’s an incredibly versatile spirit!” says Greg. 

Recommendations

A few ideas to keep you busy:

• Try a Citrus Bloom and pair it with St-Germain
• Tag in Mahia Fig Spirit and make The Fig's Elixir

750ml & 86 Proof