Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, 70cl

Product Information

Gunpowder'... gunpowder tea, which is a rolled green tea, and rather delicious. This was the reason I bought this bottle initially. The tea flavor in this gin is nothing short of perfect. It is very well balanced with the other flavor notes and does well neat, which is the only way I drink. Might be a fantastic mixer for green tea-style drinks, but I won't find myself doing that... This single estate spirit is made with great attention to detail from grain harvested from the estate. Once it has been turned into alcohol, it is used along with 11 botanicals in a triple distilling process in Classic London Dry Style. Gunpowder is bolder and more citrus forward. The tea element is very pleasant and not abrasive. It has complexity, allowing herbs and sweet spices to have their say. Now that we have what we think are the best Irish gins out of the way, it’s time to see what else is on offer.

Oriental botanicals"... this caught my eye, as my favorite gin is currently of Irish brew (Glendalough) and sourced locally. I haven't dug too far into this, nor am I seasoned enough to speak to it, but I'm surprised that Drumshanbo being so close to the Shannon hasn't elicited a more local source; anywho, Rigney was a traveler I suppose so that lends to the brand. Slowly dried Chinese green tea is blended with eight botanicals and three types of citrus to create a smooth gin with bold and fresh flavors. The combination of botanicals though somewhat eccentric is well balanced. The green tea is at the fore. Gunpowder Gin does justice to its namesake. However, where this really stands out for me is how it balances the botanicals. Enough juniper for classic gin fans, but also heavy on the citrus and herbs, without overpowering each other.Grapefruit is the most recommended garnish so if you are partial to that citrus, this is the gin for you. What type of Gin is Gunpowder?

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin explodes with flavor on the palate. Citrus once again dominates. This time its grapefruit. Juniper and green tea are present mid-palate: the juniper herbaceous and bright, the green tea calling to mind Jasmine green tea, as you might get before sushi at a Japanese restaurant. The Gunpowder Tea notes lend itself really nicely to mixing in citrus-forward drinks. Try Gunpowder Gin in a Tom Collins or Gimlet. If you’re literal, Gunpowder Gin is delightful in a hot toddy. Add some honey and lemon and it almost tastes as if you’re having a hot tea to sooth your throat. For the final botanical bouquet, Rigney chose 12 botanicals, fruits, and spices, including the aforementioned green tea as well as ingredients like Moroccan orris root, Indian cardamom, and Macedonian juniper. Even with a mini-U.N. spice cabinet, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin throws in one more highly local ingredient: meadowsweet from the town of Drumshanbo itself. Meadowsweet lends a delicate floral sweetness to the overall bouquet, complementing the green tea notes. 4. The Drumshanbo Mascot is a Drinker, Too. It’s a story of East meets West along with a few places in between. And in this review, I’ll tell you exactly why the end result is not only harmonious, but Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish has earned a seat at the table of Super Power Gins. Gunpowder Gin excels as a mixing gin despite it’s seemingly ostentatious botanical blend. It’s smooth enough for a Martini, while flavorful enough to stand out in a Gin and Juice.Grapefruit is so good with this gin, that it makes a Gin Paloma a must! We did a full recipe and video here: Gunpowder Paloma Recipe Gunpowder Gin and Juice The Botanist is similarly complex but has a subtler nose. It features pine, roots and woody notes and has a bigger, warmer finish than Drumshanbo Gunpowder. Gin and Tonic is definitely one of the most popular ways to serve Gunpowder. While the distributor promotes Elderflower tonic, I’d like to add that it’s equally delicious with Fevertree Indian & Mediterranean. Gunpowder Gin is a modern or contemporary gin. It is not heavily juniper centered and it features the botanical meadowsweet, local to Drumshanbo, Ireland. Distilling Method But beyond that, Gunpowder Gin is a complex array of botanicals from a number of traditions. Three kinds of citrus fruit: grapefruit, lemon and makrut lime join the tea and are vapor distilled. The remaining ingredients, including Macedonian juniper, are macerated and distilled in a pot still.