Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin

Rating: 13/23 I've heard positive feedback about this one. Given its tea component, I anticipated it as an alternative to Roku. In the past, I found gunpowder tea to be rather unusual, but I can see its potential in a gin. Nose: Remarkable. It's sharply focused. I detect the alcohol, but also a mustiness, some vegetal savoriness, a hint of black pepper, a rather dry earthiness, and a subtle meatiness that doesn't suggest poor distillation. More baking spices emerge gradually. Palate: Whoa, this is peculiar. There's significant vegetal funkiness that verges on decay, yet it's balanced by the tea's herbaceousness. It's akin to a somewhat rough vodka mixed with gunpowder green tea. The green tea character is definitely apparent, with vegetal notes and dry herbaceousness combined with subdued spice. Despite the slightly decaying vegetal quality, the palate is clean and dry. It's a bit unusual, but mostly cohesive. Finish: The distinct flavors integrate more here. It's vegetal, herbal, and spicy with a crispness. Unfortunately, there's still a hint of decay, but it's more coherent, leading me to believe this is a superior gin profile. - Continued - Nothing about this drink online made me dislike it, but it was a demanding experience. I had expected a less intense version of Roku (rated 16/23), but I was mistaken. This possesses much more pronounced flavors and a more challenging vegetal character. I'll need to find a suitable cocktail for it. Roku is more balanced while still offering pleasant flavors and a more conventional gin profile. As is often the case, Ireland doesn't excel in the spirits category. It's unfortunate, but I must admit it. Fortunately, the decaying vegetal funkiness isn't as off-putting as the fishy taste in Sipsmith (rated 8/23), making this definitively the better gin. Therefore, it falls within the 7 to 15 range. That's certainly broader than I prefer. I need to refine this assessment. Uncle Val's Botanical (rated 10/23) is more unusual, but it offers a pleasant, accessible sweetness and increased richness. Still, this gin has a more natural character, resulting in a better taste. I genuinely thought I'd be comparing this directly with Roku throughout this tasting. It turns out, however, that I also need to spend considerable time with Uncle Val's Botanical. What a letdown. This is intriguing, but it's excessively so. I anticipated a touch of novelty added to a fairly traditional gin profile – the kind of thing Roku does well. That's not what I'm experiencing here. This is a challenging spirit with some unpleasant notes. There's some welcome novelty, but it's a bit too demanding. This is very interesting, but the savory, decaying funkiness is too much for me, and I'm also unsure how to best utilize it. Nevertheless, the gunpowder tea flavor is undeniable. It truly comes through. Unfortunately, I'm not a great fan of gunpowder tea. Still, it's not bad. It seems slightly closer to Roku than to Uncle Val's, so it could be a 14, but I'm also seriously considering a 13.

Nose: Primarily citrus scents, with orange, lemon, and lime supported by subtle floral notes. Spice is understated, featuring hints of juniper, cardamom, and anise as a base rather than prominent fragrances. A faint minty aroma emerges over time. Palate: A balanced entry with a distinct chilli and white pepper heat that builds. Citrus flavors are bright and crisp, not sweet. A tea-like character develops, though it's subtle and might go unnoticed without prior knowledge of the green tea infusion. It's well-integrated and smooth, with a clear, fresh juniper presence. Finish: Medium length. The peppery juniper from the palate transitions smoothly into a refreshing, light citrus aftertaste with delicate seed-spice notes. No bitterness or harshness is present. It's amusing how things unfold. While discussing this gin and its high cost in Australia, I later found it on sale at a local liquor store for $20 off the usual price. I couldn't pass it up (the price listed below is the standard retail). I understand why this gin is award-winning and so popular among enthusiasts (though the official rating seems too low). The distillation is exceptional, with the macerated botanicals handled delicately to complement a wide array of lighter citrus elements and vapor-infused tea leaves, preserving their essence and avoiding bitterness. It bears some resemblance to Roku gin, but due to its citrus profile and fresh floral tones, not solely because both contain tea. I would certainly repurchase it, but my choice between this and Roku would depend on their current pricing, with Roku generally being less expensive. There's also a crisp, bright juniper note reminiscent of Cotswolds, though less dominant. I definitely suggest giving it a try. What's the deal with Ireland? Three of my top 10 gins are now from the Emerald Isle: Dingle, Method & Madness, and Drumshanbo. As a side note, if you're making a G&T with this (which is delicious), avoid adding lime or lemon slices if that's your usual practice. It already possesses sufficient delicate citrus notes. "Very Good": 87/100 (4.25)

Alright, I need to reassess this. Not because my view has shifted, but because this was my entry point, and I want to provide a more comprehensive review now that I've been exploring spirits for three years and have more practice with sophisticated descriptions. I purchased this almost on a whim, selecting it because it was gin, had an attractive bottle, hailed from Ireland, and for other reasons I can't recall. I struck gold. While I haven't sampled many other gins since, mainly because it's hard to move on from this one, I have tried a few. This one stands significantly above them and remains among my favorite spirits of any kind. You can smell it immediately upon opening the bottle. The aroma is complex and quite potent, yet soft and not overpowering. There's a hint of piney juniper, but it's just one element among many: wildflowers, citrus, a medley of spices, and yes, a touch of tea. What captivates me most is the blend of citrus (especially lemon) and the floral scent. It's delightfully sweet, like strolling through a vibrant lemon grove alive with blossoms and fruit. The taste is as crisp and mellow as a cold glass of spring water on a hot day. Again, the citrus is present, but it's not sour or even particularly zesty; it's sweet, almost like lemonade, with lime and grapefruit also detectable. Then the spices emerge, earthy and warm, yet still enveloped in that gentle orange-blossom essence. It's in the finish that the tea is most apparent. It's the sole bitterness, but it fits perfectly, providing a comforting conclusion. I understand that some snobbish liquor experts dislike the term "smooth," but this is dangerously smooth. There's barely any alcohol burn. It's consistently smooth, creamy, pleasant, and gentle throughout, like a captivating melody drawing you in for another glass. I've mixed this into a few simple cocktails (like a gimlet), but honestly, it's so delicious on its own that cocktails feel unnecessary. When I first bought this locally, it cost $40. I've since learned the advantages of buying liquor online. It can be found for approximately $30-35. At that price, I will continue to repurchase it. Highly recommended.

Tasting from a 50ml sample. Okay, the "gunpowder" moniker certainly caught my attention. I'd gladly experience the scent of gunpowder again, so perhaps that's the draw. Nevertheless, it boasts a substantial amount of botanicals, high-quality citrus, and the aforementioned distinctive tea, which, even if just a marketing ploy, tea is generally a commendable botanical addition. Low juniper aroma, and excellent citrus. It presents as a combination of bitter oil and freshly squeezed citrus, which works well, provided it's balanced. The alcohol content initially is a secondary consideration, but after the citrus and additional floral notes subside, the proof becomes sharp and elicits an almost immediate withdrawal. The first sip has a slight spiciness, with a texture that is simultaneously oily yet light. The initial flavors are floral and tea-like, but unremarkable. The bitter citrus then emerges, gradually building to a spicy, peppery conclusion. This is the first point where the juniper becomes clearly apparent. Alright, this is clearly designed to attract attention with the "gunpowder" name, distinctive bottle, and colored glass. Despite that, it remains a reasonably good gin, emphasizing floral aspects without compromising body, citrus, or juniper notes. It's also one of the few gins with a good tea flavor, but since I and likely very few others would know what gunpowder tea tastes like without external information, it's more of a guessing game regarding its authenticity.

This gin's reputation precedes it. I typically prefer Martinis and Negronis, not G&Ts. I rarely drink gin neat, occasionally in a White Lady or similar mixed drink. Ultimately, for me, the ideal gin for a Martini is paramount. I can adapt my preferred Martini gin for other uses. My benchmark is Bombay Sapphire. Tasted neat from a glencairn glass. The neat pour rested for a good ten minutes before evaluation. Visually, it's crystal clear. The initial aroma is stronger than anticipated, with notes of anise, sweet citrus, cardamom, and unripe fruit. The nose has a substantial quality, very vibrant and lively. There's remarkably little ethanol detected. Very clean. On the palate, the clarity persists, leaning towards sweet and fruity with a consistent liquorice undertone. It's complex yet smooth, velvety, and very pleasant. Simultaneously, I perceive an interesting complexity in the rather long and fruity finish. I prepared a 3:1 Martini using Dolin dry vermouth and a dash of Angostura orange bitters. Highly impressive! Fruity, sweet, easy to drink, yet bracing. Crisp. Almost brittle (I prefer them ice-cold and served up with a lemon twist). Wow! Clearly above average, this gin merits a regular spot in my rotation. I truly enjoy this one. It's a solid 4-star accomplishment.

A bourbon enthusiast ventures into gin, part 9. Previous: Roku Gin. Next: Ransom Old Tom Gin. I haven't tasted many gins, and it's been ages since my last one. I'm not familiar with gin's descriptive terms. So, tonight I'll describe it as "Portuguese" and "toothpaste options at the dentist." This is a bourbon snob attempting to comprehend gin. Much appreciation to a friend for the sample! Honestly, this gin seems like it would be a punishment in a drinking game, or a joke gift for your drinking buddies. Nose: Faint pine and lemon, with hints of butter and corn. Body: Quite bland, dominated by butter and corn, almost like unaged whiskey. I detected cream and vanilla notes. Finish: An intense floral burst. That was overwhelming. I needed multiple sips to discern anything beyond that initial intensity. The orange peel is present, though subtle. Vanilla reappears. My lips tingled... the mouthfeel on the finish was intensely spicy. I disliked that initial sip. The powerful finish was too much. However, the subsequent sips became more appealing. By the end, I considered it a gin above average.