Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin. The Shed Distillery, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland — slow-distilled in medieval copper pot stills, fusing 12 botanicals including Gunpowder tea, kaffir lime, and oriental grapefruit with locally foraged Irish meadowsweet.

The Shed Distillery was established in 2014 by P.J. Rigney on the shores of Lough Allen in the tiny village of Drumshanbo — the first distillery in the west of Ireland in over a century. Rigney's approach from the outset was experimental and curious: he wanted to fuse traditional Irish botanicals with oriental ingredients discovered on his travels. The result is a gin made using two distinct production methods simultaneously. Eight botanicals — including locally foraged meadowsweet, cardamom, juniper, coriander, angelica root, orris root, caraway, and star anise — are macerated directly in copper pot stills. Four others — kaffir lime, oriental grapefruit, Chinese lemon, and Gunpowder tea — are vapor infused through the still's neck basket, extracting their volatile aromatic oils without harsh extraction.

The gin takes its name from Gunpowder tea, a slow-dried Chinese green tea whose leaves are rolled into small pellets resembling gunpowder. It contributes an earthy, slightly tannic depth that anchors the bright citrus and spice botanicals. The iconic ceramic bottle — handlabelled at the distillery in Drumshanbo — has become one of the most recognizable vessels in modern gin.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Fresh citrus peel, juniper, green tea, and oriental spices. Subtle herbaceous meadowsweet with a hint of tropical citrus brightness.
• Palate: Crisp and vibrant — grapefruit and kaffir lime lead alongside juniper, green herbs, and cardamom. Subtle tea tannin adds earthy depth at mid-palate. Candied grapefruit and a perfumed orange flower quality emerge with time.
• Finish: Clean and refreshing with lingering lime zest, light pepper, and a long, spicy fade.

Specs

• Distillery: The Shed Distillery, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland
• Style: Contemporary Irish Gin
• Botanicals: Juniper, meadowsweet, cardamom, coriander, angelica root, orris root, caraway, star anise (pot macerated); kaffir lime, oriental grapefruit, Chinese lemon, Gunpowder tea (vapor infused)
• ABV: 43% (86 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin taste like? Fresh citrus peel, juniper, and green tea on the nose. The palate is crisp and vibrant with grapefruit, kaffir lime, cardamom, and subtle tea tannin. The finish is clean and spicy with lingering lime zest and pepper.
• Why is it called Gunpowder Gin? The gin is named after Gunpowder tea, a slow-dried Chinese green tea whose leaves are rolled into small pellets that resemble gunpowder. It’s one of 12 botanicals and is vapor infused during distillation.
• What botanicals are in Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin? 12 botanicals across two methods: juniper, meadowsweet, cardamom, coriander, angelica root, orris root, caraway, and star anise are pot macerated; kaffir lime, oriental grapefruit, Chinese lemon, and Gunpowder tea are vapor infused.
• What cocktails is Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin best in? Excellent in a G&T with elderflower tonic and a grapefruit garnish, where the citrus botanicals shine. Also great in a Gimlet, Martini with grapefruit bitters, or a Last Word.
• Where is Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin made? At The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland — the first distillery in the west of Ireland in over a century, opened in 2014 by P.J. Rigney.