The Tasting Panel magazine

August 2018

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august 2018  /  the tasting panel  /  67 As Rigney made his way back to County Leitrim's "wild and unspoiled landscape" via a winding tour through Indonesia, Cambodia, Morocco, Germany, and Macedonia, he carefully selected the 12 botanicals used in Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin. It took 16 months to perfect the spirit's original rec- ipe, which features the aforementioned gunpowder tea from China and Drumshanbo meadowsweet mixed with coriander seed, angelica root, caraway seed, orris root, cardamom, star anise, and juniper berries, among other ingredients. Slow-distilled in medieval copper pot stills designed for small-batch production, the spirit is "the personification of all that is wonderful about rural Ireland and encompasses the history and culture of the village of Drumshanbo," says Rigney, who also helped introduce famous Irish products like Baileys Irish Cream and Sheridan's Irish Coffee Layered Liqueur to U.S. palates. "Ultimately, it's the combination and balance of botanicals with vapor-infused makrut limes, as well as Chinese lemons and grapefruits, that lead to the fresh and rounded experience up front with citrus and spicy notes immediately evident," Rigney continues. "The overall impression is of a very well-balanced and surprising gin." Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin's flavor profile also ensures the spirit holds its own in mixed cocktails. "The secret with cocktails is to never mask the unique taste profile of the gin, but enhance it and only use superior quality ingredients in small, subtle measurements," Rigney explains. "Our signature serve, for example, is with a generous wedge of fresh red grapefruit to emphasize the gin's refreshing citrus notes along with chilled premium tonic and large cubes of ice." Launched in 2014, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is relatively new to the market, yet everything about its design—from the jackalope icon to the vintage-looking blue bottles—seeks to convey a worldliness beyond the brand's years while also serving as a nod to Rigney's travels. "The apothecary style brings to life the history of my journey across the world and a sense of experimentation, which is what modern super-premium gin is all about," Rigney says. "The modern touches to the bottle represent the rebirth of gin as a super-premium spirit with endless opportunity to innovate. They invite the consumer on a journey of discov- ery—every time you take another look, you can discover something new as I did on the botanical trail from China to Drumshanbo. You will notice so many unique elements of discovery on both the bottle itself and the label." More synonymous with brown liquor and beer, Ireland is largely seen as a newcomer to the gin market, with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin helping pave the way for further exploration. "We have no significant export history in the gin category, but the rise of new boutique gin distilleries has been a gamechanger," says Rigney. "Now the U.K., Europe, and indeed the U.S. and Asia are looking to our small island not just for the finest whiskies, but for exciting new gin brands." The distillery, expected to welcome visitors in the near future, has also been instrumental in bringing additional jobs to the local community. A small team of roughly 25 County Leitrim residents distill and bottle Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin by hand, and the staff is expected to double as the company prepares to debut its Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka and the first Shed Distillery Premier Grand Cru Irish Whiskey. With the impending tripling of The Shed Distillery's offer- ings, Rigney is committed to continue representing Ireland's excellence in all things spirits-related. "Authenticity is key—in terms of premium gin, only remarkable brands will make the cut for export," says Rigney. "What is important is that Ireland is synonymous with exceptional, quality brands with longev- ity and authenticity, not one-hit wonders." For more information, visit drumshanbogunpowderirishgin.com. As Rigney made Rigney made Rigney his way back way back way unspoiled landscape" via a winding Cambodia, Morocco, Germany, selected the 12 botanicals used Irish Gin. It took It took It 16 took 16 took months ipe, which features the aforementioned China and Drumshanbo meadowsweet seed, angelica root, caraway anise, and juniper berries, among Slow-distilled in medieval small-batch production, the all that is wonderful about rural the history and history and history culture of the of the of Rigney, who also helped introduce like Baileys Irish Cream and Liqueur to U.S. palates. "Ultimately, and balance of botanicals of botanicals of with as well as Chinese lemons and fresh and rounded experience notes immediately evident," immediately evident," immediately impression is of a of a of very well-balanced very well-balanced very Drumshanbo Gunpowder ensures the spirit holds its own secret with cocktails is to never of the of the of gin, but enhance it and ingredients in small, subtle "Our signature serve, for example, of fresh of fresh of red grapefruit to emphasize citrus notes along with chilled cubes of ice." of ice." of Launched in 2014, Drumshanbo is relatively new relatively new relatively to the market, design—from the jackalope bottles—seeks to convey a convey a convey worldliness years while also serving as Curious Twist ◗ 25 ml Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin ◗ 25 ml Aperol ◗ 25 ml Cinzano Rosso Vermouth ◗ 5 ml violet liqueur ◗ 2 dashes Spanish bitters Stir ingredients and garnish with an orange twist.

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