Gins

There’s been a massive resurgence in gin production and appreciation of the drink once dubbed ‘mother’s ruin.’ There are now 50 gin brands in Ireland, over 20 gin producers, and 12 new brands hit the shelves last year.

Graham Norton’s Own Irish Gin, €39, exclusive to SuperValu stores

Raise a glass to a brand new Irish gin with the sweetness of fuchsia petals which has its first public tasting tonight. First there was his GN Wine range, and now Graham Norton has put his name and brand power to a gin brewed in his native West Cork. The chat show host and author has a home outside Bantry and he partnered with West Cork Distillers on the venture. The new gin has 12 botanicals including angelica, orris roots, rose hip, basil, and liquorice root.

As a nod to Graham’s love of pooches, the tasting tonight is hosted in a dog-friendly venue.

Glendalough Gin by Clodagh McKenna €38, exclusive to Tesco Ireland

Another newcomer to the Irish gin market comes with handprint of chef/author/TV personality Clodagh McClodagh, the second Corkonian to step into the sector in a month. Clodagh teamed up with Glendalough Distillery to make a bespoke gin for which she went foraging in Wicklow hedgerows and down by the sea in Brittas. The botanticals used include alexander leaf, douglas fir, wood sorrel, and sea buck thorn. The result is a terroir-inspired spicy gin which launched mid January.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin €49, widely available

PJ Rigney’s ‘Shed’ in Leitrim was the first distillery in Connacht in 101 years and his oriental gin has remained a firm favourite since its launch in 2016.

Slow-distilled by hand, the distinctive point of difference is the gunpowder tea which is vapourdistilled with Chinese lemons and oriental grapefruit.

The process also includes potstill-distillation of eight other botanicals such as Chinese star anise and wild meadowsweet which grows in local woodlands.

The botanicals are picked there by Brian Taft – the head distiller – and his daughter.