An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin Reveals ‘Santa Ana’

Sliabh Liag Distillers has announced the release of An Dúlamán Santa Ana, Armada Strength Gin. This navy strength gin is aged in Rioja casks, which impart sweetness and a rose gold hue to the liquid. After ageing in casks, Santa Ana is bottled at the navy strength of 57% ABV. Santa Ana is now available from Master of Malt and Whisky Exchange for an RRP of £45.

Sliabh Liag Distillers launched An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin in the UK earlier in 2019. Both expressions have links to the Donegal coastline. Its name comes from La Duquesa Santa Ana, an Andalusian shop which was lost in Philip II’s Spanish Armada conquest to invade England in 1588. The ship was wrecked on 28 September off Loughros Mor, close to where the An Dúlamán Distillery is located. All 900 men onboard survived and it’s a local tradition to re-enact the 30km walk undertaken by the crew from Rosbeg to Killybegs. The Rioja casks used to age the gin impart colour and flavour, but also have historical connections too – the commander of La Duquesa Santa Ana, Don Alonso de Leyva, and second in command of the Armada, was from a noble family household in the Rioja region of Spain.

The iconic An Dúlamán bottle is inspired by those found along the Donegal coast after ships of the Spanish Armada were wrecked upon the rocks. For the Santa Ana navy strength expression, the wax seal is deep ruby red and the label is a section from a traditional map, that marks the location of the loss of the La Duquesa Santa Ana.