Ciara's Country Flavour: gins of 2018

Remember the days when at the bar you would order a gin and tonic. A standard and inconspicuous Slim Jim glass would appear with a few lumps of ice, a slice of lemon and a pour of either Cork Dry Gin or Gordons. Now at Christmas 2018, order that same gin and tonic and be prepared for something akin to an interrogation. Which gin would you like (there are 30 on our menu)? Are you opting for elderflower or orange tonic, and what about garnishes? And, of course, it would all be served up in a fancy fishbowl glass. There may be a lot more questions, but the answers are impressive and the Irish gin industry has catapulted in recent years. Now there are over 20 gin producers in Ireland, with over 50 brands. This year alone, 12 brands have been added to our Irish repertoire and according to the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI), the value of Irish gin exports was up by 226% in the first eight months of 2018. So if you’re planning on pouring yourself something impressive, check out these Irish gins that hit the shelves in 2018.

Sling Shot Gin

Gin may be the hot topic at the moment, but Sling Shot gin is all about the past, inspired by the legend of Queen Maeve of Connacht and her time on the banks of Lough Ree. That’s because this gin was born on those very same banks, a modern twist on the legendary tale. Sling Shot is the first in what we’re promised will be a plethora of products to come out of Lough Ree Distillery.

Overall, we are seeing more unique attributes coming forward in gin taste profiles and this one is the first of its kind to use a peat distillate. So even on the first sip you’re getting a gin that is full-bodied with great depth and complexity, but also has elements of citrus and fresh mint – so it retains that gin freshness.

This new distillery in Lanesborough is an excellent example of how we can encourage people to follow their tastebuds to more rural areas. Currently the gin is being distilled in a micro-distillery, but just 50m away construction of a €5m state-of-the art Lough Ree Distillery and visitor centre is under way.

Price: €44.99.

Ornabrak Single Malt Gin

Another gin that is going on quite a unique journey is Ornabrak Single Malt Gin, distilled in Skibereen in west Cork. When you take a sip you’ll be supporting the barley growers, as it is crafted using 100% Irish malted barley before being four times copper pot distilled; where upon the fifth distillation it is infused with botanicals.

This is quite different because most gins are created with a base spirit which has no taste or odour and so most gin companies emphasise the addition of their botanicals to secure their unique taste profile. With this gin, the botanicals are being infused with the flavour of the malt, which gives great texture and complexity in the mouth that edges towards a whiskey feel. You’ll get those pops of juniper and citrus, but it’s the long and persistent finish that really impresses.

The unique taste profile is the brainchild of Patrick Shelley who spent years working with high-end drinks brands, including Hennessy, Moët & Chandon and Dom Pérignon.

Price: €49.

Chinnery Gin

The Irish and the Orient are mixed in this next gin, Chinnery Gin – made by Chinnery Spirits in Dublin and also distilled at West Cork Distillers. The production of this gin differentiates itself because before it makes its way to west Cork, two botanicals, Osmanthus and Oolong, are distilled separately at Chinnery Spirits own small distillery in Dublin using a modern vacuum still.

This means that it’s distilled at a lower temperature to allow the natural flavours of these delicate botanicals to stand up in their own right. For those that love a really floral gin, this is the one that will catch your attention. Lots of fruit hits the palette, with strawberries and stewed fruit such as rhubarb coming through. It may be winter, but this gin will remind you of warm summer days. This Orient feeling comes right through to the design of the bottle. On first look it may appear like the Georgian Dublin townhouses, but peer through the windows and you’ll find colourful images of the Far East.

Price: €49.95 with 50ml miniature bottles for €6.95.

Ha’penny Dublin Dry Gin

Another Dublin-focused gin is Ha’penny Dublin Dry Gin influenced by the iconic Dublin bridge, and the gin itself is distilled only a short walk away at Pearse Lyons Distillery. Keeping the taste local, the botanicals which are blended into the gin include geranium, dandelion, lavender and blackberry, all of which would have been growing in the nearby Phoenix Park in Victorian times when the bridge was built. Pour in a nice drop of tonic and add a sprig of mint to really allow its citrus floral aroma to come through. You’ll also get a lingering sweetness on the palette. If sweetness is really your thing, opt for the rhubarb gin. Often flavoured gins stray too far from the purity of the product and can be a bit too sickly sweet. This is made from the juice of freshly pressed rhubarb and as a natural distillation process is used, it avoids any artificial flavours clouding the gin.

Price: €39.99 and €42.99, respectively.