The curious mind of PJ Rigney has been working overtime if releases from the Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo are an indicator. A few weeks back I wrote about Galánta, its limited release single malt whiskey. Now Drumshanbo has combined forces with the team at Ashford Castle led by Noli Alngohuro, bar and lounge manager, and general manager Niall Rochford to produce a new gin. Ingredients include honey and wood sorrel sourced from the Ashford Castle Estate in Co Mayo.
“It has been a long journey,” Alngohuro says. “We tried a few seasonal botanicals, but it didn’t work until we found wood sorrel. What came out was amazing. The hotel uses it in garnishes and pastries. It gives the gin a lovely limey flavour. We also used some of our first honey harvest. It was used in the distillation and is a hint in the background.”
The Bea Keeper cocktail was also created by Alngohuro. “We wanted to make it simple, with easily available ingredients so that guests could enjoy it with our gin when they return home. Combine 50ml Ashford Castle Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with 50ml honey syrup and 20ml fresh lime juice. Shake and double strain, top with a premium tonic water. Garnish with fresh lime peel.”
Priced at €65 a bottle, Ashford Castle Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is available exclusively online from Mrs Tea’s Boutique & Bakery on the Ashford Castle Estate, Co Mayo and the Shed Distillery Experience gift shop in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim.
