Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin – Exotic Botanicals Meet Irish Tradition

Updated → September 2025

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is a unique Irish craft gin that fuses the exotic flavors of Asia with the distilling heritage of Ireland. Infused with gunpowder green tea and a dozen botanicals, this award-winning gin offers a citrus-forward, herbal palate and smooth finish, making it a standout in the world of spirits.

• The Rise of Irish Gin
• The Story Behind Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin
• Crafting Drumshanbo: Distillation & Botanicals
• Signature Botanicals
• Slow Distillation Process
• Tasting Notes & Flavor Profile
• Bottle Design & Branding
• Accolades and Achievements
• Serving Suggestions
• Cocktail Ideas & Recipes
• Comparisons with Other Gins
• Versus Traditional Gins
• Part of the Irish Gin Renaissance
• Availability & Pricing
• Final Thoughts

The Rise of Irish Gin

Ireland may be famed for its whiskey, but in recent years Irish gin has been making waves. A new generation of distillers is putting Ireland on the gin map by crafting distinctive small-batch gins that rival the best from London or anywhere else. This renaissance in Irish gin has seen a flourish of brands that celebrate local ingredients and innovative recipes. Leading this charge is Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, which burst onto the scene in the mid-2010s as a gin that marries Irish distilling tradition with a bold international twist. By bringing exotic botanicals into an Irish spirit, it helped draw global attention to what Irish gin could be.

The Story Behind Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin

Every great spirit has a story, and Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is no exception. Its tale begins with PJ Rigney, an entrepreneur and explorer at heart who founded The Shed Distillery in the quaint town of Drumshanbo, County Leitrim. In 2014, PJ and his wife Denise established the first distillery in western Ireland in over a century, choosing Drumshanbo’s wild, rural landscape as the home for their experiments in spirit-making. PJ’s extensive travels through Asia, Africa, and beyond inspired him to collect unique botanicals and distilling techniques. Fascinated by the flavors he encountered abroad, he envisioned creating an Irish gin that would fuse those far-flung botanicals with Ireland’s own rich heritage. This “curious mind” approach led to the creation of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin in 2016, a spirit that literally bottles PJ’s journey across continents.

The gin’s very name is a nod to one star ingredient from those travels: gunpowder tea. This Chinese green tea (so named because its leaves are rolled into tiny pellets resembling gunpowder grains) captured PJ’s imagination and became a cornerstone of the recipe. By combining gunpowder tea and other oriental botanicals with local Irish flora like meadowsweet, PJ Rigney achieved a one-of-a-kind flavor. To symbolize this East-meets-West fusion, the bottle features the image of a jackalope – a mythical creature that blends elements of different animals. The jackalope mascot playfully represents the gin’s hybrid spirit: part Irish tradition, part global exploration.

Crafting Drumshanbo: Distillation & Botanicals

What sets Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin apart is how it’s made. The Shed Distillery prides itself on “slow distillation” in medieval-style copper pot stills. Each small batch is carefully distilled by hand, which allows the complex botanical mix to infuse gently and maintain its delicate flavors. The gin’s base spirit is grain, and into it go a total of 12 botanicals that create its signature profile. Uniquely, the production uses a combination of methods: some botanicals are macerated and distilled in the pot still, while others are suspended above the spirit in a basket to be vapor-infused. This dual technique ensures that heavier flavors are fully extracted, while more volatile aromas (like citrus zest and teas) are captured without being boiled to bitterness.

Signature Botanicals

The botanical bill of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin reads like a meeting of East and West. On the Irish side, you have juniper (of course, as gin’s cornerstone), earthy angelica root, and local Irish meadowsweet – a herb that lends a honeyed sweetness. Joining them from around the globe are coriander seed, cardamom, star anise, orris root, caraway, and oriental spices. Then come the citrus elements: fresh grapefruit, lemon, and makrut lime, which are vapor-distilled to preserve their bright, zesty notes. And the star of the show: gunpowder green tea from China. This green tea adds a softly herbaceous, slightly tannic depth to the gin, as well as a hint of subtle smokiness (though not in the way actual gunpowder would – no worries, there’s nothing explosive here except flavor!). Together, these 12 botanicals create a gin that is both traditional in its juniper base and contemporary in its adventurous additions.

Slow Distillation Process

Distilling Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is a labor of love. The “slow distilled” tagline means the distillers take their time with each run, allowing for maximum contact between the spirit and botanicals. The copper pot stills at The Shed Distillery are custom-made in an old-world style, which helps in refining the spirit by removing impurities and smoothing out textures. As the pot still charges, botanicals like juniper, angelica, and orris are boiled together with the base spirit, releasing their robust flavors. Above the boiling spirit, delicate ingredients like citrus peels and gunpowder tea are placed in a basket so that their essences are lifted out by the alcohol vapors rather than direct boiling. This vapor infusion method preserves those lighter aromas beautifully. The result of this meticulous process is a crystal-clear gin at 43% ABV that carries an incredible depth of flavor without any harsh edges.

Tasting Notes & Flavor Profile

Take a sip of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, and you’re in for a flavorful journey. On the nose, it opens with bright citrus – the aroma of grapefruit and lemon leaps out, accompanied by a subtle herbal undercurrent. There’s juniper there too, but it’s playing nicely alongside the citrus and a whisper of green tea. As the gin touches your palate, it truly “explodes” (pun intended) with flavor. The immediate impression is of fresh grapefruit and lime zest, giving a tangy, fruit-forward burst. Mid-palate, the classic gin character emerges: piney juniper and spicy coriander make themselves known, balanced by the distinctive green tea note. The gunpowder tea imparts a gentle green earthiness, almost like a delicate jasmine tea feel, reminding you of its unique botanical twist.

As the taste evolves, you start to notice the more warming spices. Hints of cardamom and star anise come through, adding a soft spiciness that never overwhelms. Meadowsweet in the mix provides a late flourish – a mild, honey-vanilla sweetness that lingers as you approach the finish. The finish itself is smooth and slightly warming (this is a 43% ABV spirit after all), but remarkably, it avoids any harsh burn. Instead, you’re left with a clean, citrus-and-herb aftertaste. The overall impression is of a gin that’s bright and citrus-led, yet layered with herbal complexity. It’s a careful balancing act: enough juniper backbone for the purists, but plenty of contemporary botanical flair to stand out from the crowd.

Bottle Design & Branding

One look at a bottle of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and you know you’re seeing something special. The gin comes in a striking sapphire-blue bottle with ribbed glass, evoking antique apothecary bottles. Its label features both English and Chinese characters, a nod to the cross-continental inspiration behind its recipe. Front and center is the distinctive Drumshanbo jackalope logo – the horned rabbit-like creature that has become synonymous with this gin. This whimsical icon encapsulates the brand’s identity: a fusion of unlikely elements (just as the gin fuses Irish and oriental influences) resulting in something extraordinary.

Beyond aesthetics, the packaging also tells a story. The use of gunpowder tea is referenced in the name and design, with subtle illustrations of tea leaves and a map-like pattern hinting at travel and discovery. Many gin enthusiasts also appreciate the bottle’s sturdiness and reuse potential – once you’ve savored the contents, the beautiful bottle can find new life as a decanter or decorative piece. Overall, the branding of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin perfectly reflects its contents: classic at a glance, but with curious details that invite a closer look.

Accolades and Achievements

Since its debut, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin has not only won over gin drinkers, but also impressed critics and industry experts. It has accumulated an impressive collection of awards in a relatively short time. In 2019, it was named “Best Gin in the World” by Flaviar, a title awarded by a community of spirits enthusiasts that speaks to its broad appeal. The accolades didn’t stop there. Drumshanbo Gunpowder earned high honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, grabbing a coveted Gold Medal and putting Irish gin on the global stage. Perhaps most notably, in 2022 the gin’s brand was recognized by Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Wine Star Awards as the “International Spirit Brand of the Year” – a huge achievement that underscores how a small distillery in County Leitrim made a worldwide impact.

These awards and others are a testament to the quality and uniqueness of Drumshanbo’s gin. Critics frequently praise its balance of flavors and innovative use of botanicals. Beyond competitions, the gin has gained a loyal following among cocktail bartenders and mixologists, who love its versatility and distinctive character. It’s not often that a niche craft gin from a tiny Irish town becomes a staple in bars from Dublin to New York to Tokyo – yet Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin has done just that, solidifying its status as a modern classic in the spirits world.

Serving Suggestions

With its complex and bright flavor profile, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is delightful to sip in many forms. Purists will enjoy it simply poured over a large ice cube, where the cold tempers the alcohol and lets the citrus and tea notes shine. However, the gin truly comes to life in a classic Gin & Tonic. In fact, one of the recommended serves by the makers is a Gunpowder G&T: pour a measure of Drumshanbo Gunpowder into a highball glass over ice, top it with a premium tonic water, and garnish with a generous wedge of fresh red grapefruit. The grapefruit accentuates the gin’s citrus botanicals and the quinine in the tonic plays beautifully with the tea and spice elements. The result is an incredibly refreshing yet refined G&T unlike any other.

For those who like to experiment, Drumshanbo’s botanical depth means it can pair well with various garnishes and mixers. Try it with a splash of sparkling water and a twist of lemon for a lighter take. It also stands up nicely in a Negroni, where its herbal sweetness complements the bitter Campari and sweet vermouth. Essentially, you can treat Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin as the star ingredient in any gin-based drink where you want a little extra citrus zing and aromatic complexity.

Cocktail Ideas & Recipes

Thanks to its unique flavor, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin opens up a world of cocktail possibilities. Bartenders often note how well its gunpowder tea note works in both classic and creative cocktails. If you’re a fan of the classics, you can’t go wrong with a Tom Collins – the gin’s lemon and tea nuances mix perfectly with fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda to create a supremely refreshing highball. For a more spirit-forward option, consider a Martini: Drumshanbo’s crisp juniper and citrus make for a bright, clean Martini (garnish with a lemon twist to highlight those notes). Prefer something a bit cozier? Embrace the tea aspect and try a Gin Hot Toddy on a chilly evening. Mix the gin with hot water, a spoonful of honey, and a squeeze of lemon, and you have a soothing elixir where the gin’s botanicals mimic the comfort of a brewed herbal tea.

For adventurous mixologists, Drumshanbo Gunpowder can inspire original creations too. Its combination of spices and citrus might pair well with ginger beer in a Gin Mule, or with elderflower liqueur and lime for a floral-fruity cocktail. Even in a simple Gin and Juice, Drumshanbo stands out – mix it with fresh grapefruit or orange juice and you’ll notice how the spirit’s own grapefruit and green tea flavors add layers to a simple drink. The bottom line is that this gin is as versatile as it is distinctive. Whether you’re stirring up a cocktail at home or ordering from a seasoned bartender, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is an exciting ingredient to work with.

Comparisons with Other Gins

How does Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin stack up against other gins on the market? In many ways, it occupies a sweet spot between the classic and the contemporary. Traditional London Dry gins (think Beefeater or Tanqueray) are juniper-forward with a fairly standardized set of botanicals. Drumshanbo breaks that mold by introducing non-traditional elements like green tea and oriental spices, aligning it with the new wave of “contemporary gins.” Fans of modern craft gins such as Hendrick’s (with its rose and cucumber) or Monkey 47 (with its medley of forest botanicals) will find kinship in Drumshanbo’s inventive recipe. Yet, unlike some heavily flavored craft gins, Drumshanbo hasn’t abandoned the core of what gin is – you still get that clear piney juniper hit that defines gin. This means that die-hard gin purists, who might be skeptical of gimmicky flavors, often end up appreciating Drumshanbo for its balance of tradition and innovation.

In terms of flavor intensity, Drumshanbo Gunpowder is bold but not overwhelming. For example, compare it to a citrus-heavy gin like New Amsterdam: both are very citrus-forward, but Drumshanbo adds more herbal complexity and a drier finish courtesy of the tea. Compared to a spiced gin like Opihr (which leans into pepper and cardamom), Drumshanbo is gentler and more balanced, with its spices woven in subtly. This gin also proudly represents Ireland in the gin category – while Scottish and English gins have long dominated, Irish gins like Drumshanbo are carving out their own identity. It’s not smoky or peat-influenced (common in Irish whiskey, but not really in gin); instead, it showcases an Irish craft ethos, using local botanicals like meadowsweet in a way that feels akin to how Irish whiskey makers celebrate local barley or unique barrel finishes. In short, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin manages to stand on its own, even among a crowded field of gins, through a combination of quality, creativity, and respect for gin’s roots.

Versus Traditional Gins

When put head-to-head with a traditional gin, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin offers a refreshingly different experience. Classic London Dry gins emphasize juniper above all; Drumshanbo, while including juniper, gives equal billing to citrus and green tea. This results in a softer juniper impact – so if you find some gins too piney, Drumshanbo might strike the perfect balance for you. On the flip side, if you’re used to very dry, juniper-dominated gins, you’ll notice Drumshanbo’s slightly sweeter and more fragrant profile immediately. It doesn’t have added sugar (it’s not an “Old Tom” style), but the natural sweetness of meadowsweet and cardamom’s warmth can give an impression of roundness that some dry gins don’t have. Another difference is mouthfeel: the slow distillation and high botanical load give Drumshanbo a smooth, almost silky texture, whereas some traditional gins can come across sharper on the palate. Essentially, Drumshanbo takes the blueprint of a dry gin and colors outside the lines a bit – the result is something vibrant and contemporary, yet still recognizably gin.

Part of the Irish Gin Renaissance

The rise of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is part of a larger story: the Irish gin renaissance. Over the past decade, Ireland has seen a boom in craft distilleries venturing into gin production, often as a complement to their whiskey-making. Drumshanbo was among the early trailblazers, and its success has paved the way for others. Now, names like Dingle Gin, Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin, and Gunpowder Gin itself are showing that Ireland’s rich distilling heritage isn’t limited to whiskey. These gins often use indigenous botanicals – from seaweed to heather to wildflowers – giving them a sense of place. Drumshanbo’s use of local meadowsweet is a great example of that terroir-driven approach, even as it also incorporates international flavors. As the #1 Irish gin in the U.S. market in recent years, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin has proven that there is a global appetite for Irish-made gin. This boom has also been a boon back home: tourists in Ireland now frequently seek out gin distillery tours in addition to the usual whiskey trail. In Drumshanbo’s case, The Shed Distillery has become a bit of a pilgrimage site for gin enthusiasts visiting Ireland, eager to see where this world-beating gin is made. Truly, Drumshanbo’s triumph on the world stage highlights how far Irish gin has come – from a curiosity to a category contender.

Availability & Pricing

These days, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is not a hard find – its popularity and acclaim have earned it shelf space in many liquor stores and bars worldwide. In the United States, you’ll often spot its eye-catching blue bottle in well-stocked stores and even in duty-free shops at airports (a testament to its global reach). It’s typically sold in the standard 750 mL bottle, and for those who fall in love with it, larger 1.75 L “handle” bottles are also produced. There have been special edition bottles too – for instance, a limited ceramic bottle release – but the liquid inside remains the same beloved gin. As for pricing, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin sits in the premium gin range, reflecting its craft production and import status, but it still offers great value considering the quality. You can expect the 750 mL bottle to be priced around the mid-$30s in USD. At our store, we are proud to offer Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin at a competitive price of $34.99 (price may vary by promotions or stock). Given its versatility and the sophistication it brings to a home bar, most enthusiasts find it well worth the price.

If you’re looking to pick up a bottle, look no further than your local purveyor. In Western New York, for example, Union Wine and Liquor (that’s us!) has Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin readily available for purchase. You can order it through our website for convenient pickup or delivery, or simply stop by our store to grab one off the shelf. When you buy from a local store like ours, you’re not only getting a fantastic gin but also supporting small business. We ensure our stock is fresh and authentically sourced, so you can sip easy knowing you have the real deal.

Final Thoughts

In a world full of gins, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin manages to carve out its own niche – and then some. It’s more than just a catchy name or a pretty bottle (though it has both); it’s a genuinely well-crafted spirit that tells a story with each sip. From the wilds of rural Ireland to the markets of Asia and back, the journey of its creation can be tasted in the glass. For gin lovers, it offers something familiar yet novel: the comfort of juniper and citrus coupled with the intrigue of tea and spice. For those new to gin, it’s an approachable entry that might just make a lifelong convert out of you.

Whether you’re enjoying it simply with tonic and a wedge of grapefruit or mixing up an elaborate cocktail, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin delivers a delightful experience. It embodies the creativity and passion that define the modern craft spirits movement. We highly recommend giving this gin a try – it’s a true crowd-pleaser that doesn’t compromise on character. Ready to embark on this curious flavor journey? Grab your bottle of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin today and raise a glass to the spirit of exploration and innovation. Cheers!