There’s a rising vary of gins coming from Northern Eire in the intervening time. I made the journey throughout the Irish Sea to deliver you a information to this flourishing Northern Irish gin scene, having a look at:
- Jawbox Gin
- Copeland Gin
- Boatyard Gin
- Shortcross Gin
- Symphonia Gin
- Echlinville Gin
- FECKiN Gin
- Belfast 1912 Gin
- Belfast Artisan Gin
Okay, so making the journey wasn’t precisely a hardship – it’s one I make commonly as a result of my spouse is Northern Irish and now we have household and pals there. Nonetheless, I’d by no means appeared previous a few of the higher recognized Northern Irish gins. So, I carried out some analysis and launched into a private odyssey to see what this lovely a part of the world has to supply us gin followers…
Jawbox Gin overview
I’m dishonest a bit by beginning off with Jawbox Gin, because it’s already a agency favorite. When you’ve not tried it earlier than, it is advisable to. As you may inform from our authentic Jawbox overview right here, we’re filled with reward for this basic dry gin. It’s additionally our reigning champion in the case of which gins to pair with ginger ale. A Jawbox Gin with ginger ale is a cracker.
Broadly accessible – strive costs at Amazon and Grasp of Malt – Jawbox is made on the Echlinville Distillery close to Kircubbin, Co.Down (fairly close to Newtonards). I feel it’s a little bit of discount for the standard you get – it is a effectively made, basic London dry gin. It’s bottled at 43% and is a vapour-infused gin.
Style clever, Jawbox has a loads of juniper and a really nice peppery kick to it. Nothing that will get in your face, only a good hit. That’s why I prefer it greatest with the ginger ale and a giant wedge of lime, but it surely’s additionally match for a premium tonic in a basic G&T too.
Copeland Gin overview
We’re going to be staying in Co.Down for Northern Irish gin quantity two. Copeland Gin comes from Donaghadee, which is port city on the coast about 20 miles east of Belfast.
The Copeland Gin bottle guarantees a gin “reduce by the ocean, impressed by historical past”. That comes by way of loud and robust on the label as you may see above, and that maritime affect continues by way of the botanical listing. There are 12 botanicals in complete, together with cubeb berries, lemon peel and flora from native islands together with sea pink maritima. Navel orange peel is added too.
I attempted Copeland fairly a couple of occasions throughout my journey, and loved it a lot that I purchased a bottle to take again dwelling too. To style, I discovered that the orange actually shone by way of alongside a pleasant full punch of juniper. There are good issues occurring in your mouth with these different botanicals, however I couldn’t fairly discern all of them. I appreciated that – a little bit of thriller and a few extra uncommon botanicals is admittedly welcome.
Copeland Gin is on the premium finish of the value vary, but it surely’s bottled at 45%, and also you’re definitely getting lots of flavour in your cash. I’d throughly advocate it. You should buy it from Amazon beneath, or from Grasp of Malt right here. Serve it in a basic gin and tonic with a wedge of orange.
Boatyard Gin overview
Attempting Boatyard Gin was like returning to an previous pal. It’s been a relentless characteristic on the house gin shelf and is likely one of the first N.Irish gins that I attempted. It comes from The Boatyard Distillery on the banks of the gorgeous Lough Erne simply exterior Enniskillen in Co.Fermanagh.
Coming in a particular bottle – which I all the time suppose appears to be like prefer it’s sporting a tall homburg hat (simply me?!) – it packs in 8 botanicals. Helpfully, the bottle truly lists these out on the label in your of their varied percentages (which I don’t recall having seen earlier than). For instance, you will have juniper (86%), coriander (11%), lemon (0.45%) and candy gale (lavatory myrtle) (0.45%) in there.
Curiously, Boatyard has a singular juniper filtration course of that kicks in because the spirit runs off the nonetheless. They clarify that it’s a course of that Dutch gin spirit distillers name ‘dubbel gebeide genever‘ and ends in a extra pronounced juniper flavour. Truly, the gin is definitely referred to as Boatyard Double Gin (to offer it it’s correct title).
To style, that juniper is admittedly obvious. As a believer that juniper is “no unhealthy factor” in a real gin (some may say crucial regardless of current tendencies…), I’m glad. It’s acquired citrus displaying by way of too although. At a 46% bottling, it’s a strong gin that tastes as a gin ought to. Give it a attempt to you’ll be capable of inform why it’s a gin that will get changed when it’s operating empty by myself gin shelf (in truth, I’ve acquired two bottles of it at current simply in case).
I feel Boatyard Gin is greatest served in a gin and tonic, but it surely’s a gin that can be utilized as a flexible cocktail base too. Purchase it from Amazon beneath, or Grasp of Malt right here.
Shortcross Gin overview
Shortcross Gin sees us return to Co.Down, and to the Rademon Property Distillery. The gin’s title comes from Crossgar, the native village [‘crossgar’ meaning ‘short cross’].
The group behind Shortcross Gin needed to create one thing that mirrored the Rademon Property. So, though lots of the regular botanicals are there – like coriander, cinnamon and cassia – so are apples, clover, elderflowers and elderberries. It’s bottled at 46%.
Shortcross Gin was a little bit of a revelation for me on my journey. I’d by no means tried it earlier than and I’ll confess that, on first style, I wasn’t truly a fan. By the top of my journey I used to be transformed – it is a very high quality gin certainly, and a bottle even discovered its approach dwelling with me in my suitcase my conversion was so full!
Why did I get it so unsuitable? Effectively, on first style, I believed it was fairly heavy on – what I believed was – fennel (which I don’t actually like). Now, I’ve no concept if there may be truly fennel current, however didn’t get something like that the second time round or subsequently. I now suspect that my first style might have been tainted by the tonic that my first drink was served with (in a Belfast restaurant). At all times use tonic…
On correct tasting, I discovered Shortcross to be superbly advanced gin, with loads of juniper and citrus. I feel the native botanicals are contributing to the floral notes too, and there was a lightweight peppery style that lingered. Very good all spherical. Serve with lots ice and that good tonic!
I’m glad I didn’t stroll away from Shortcross, and – full confession time – the bottle I introduced again didn’t final lengthy. One other has already been purchased (I acquired mine from Amazon beneath, however you can even purchase Shortcross from Grasp of Malt).
Symphonia Gin overview
We head a bit south to Co.Tyrone for the subsequent Northern Irish gin on the listing. Symphonia Gin is from the Woodlab Distillery in Benburb. I first had Symphonia No.1 Gin a couple of months in the past on the advice of a member of the family, with a present set having been despatched throughout to me in Scotland after they’d tasted it of their native store. That present set contained the three gins from the Symphonia Gin vary:
- Symphonia No.1 – a standard gin
- Symphonia No.2 – an apple gin
- A 25% ABV fruit cup, Symphonia No.3
The latter two are very refreshing, however I’ll deal with Symphonia No1. right here. A small batch gin, it’s a really recent on the nostril with a touch of what I although was oranges. To style although, that citrus actually reveals itself extra clearly – it’s very obvious and really nice. There’s additionally some spice and one thing extra floral occurring in there too although. I haven’t discovered a full botanical listing, however I’d summarise it by saying that there’s a very nice steadiness to this gin – it tastes very effectively thought by way of!
I’ve tried Symphonia with a couple of completely different mixers now. My favorite was elderflower tonic [and I must add it to this link to our article on others gins that go well with elderflower tonic too). However, it’s such a nicely balanced gin that I wouldn’t be too precious about how you decide to serve it. It’s bottled at 40% (as is the apple gin).
Overall, this is another Northern Irish Gin that’s well worth a try if you can get hold of it. You can buy Symphonia Gin from Master of Malt here.
Echlinville Gin review
Back we go to Co.Down again, retuning to the Echlinville Distillery. Echlinville Gin describes itself as “Ireland’s first super-premium single estate pot still gin.” So how did it measure up against its fellow Northern Irish gins?
Well, as the description above suggests, this is a gin that’s created using the distillery’s own malted barley base spirit. More on that in a moment. In the botanical mix for the gin, which is bottled at 46%, are anise, coriander, whin bush petals and some Strangford Lough seaweed. Thanks to the patient gentleman that served me (a few times) and allowed me to have a good nose at the bottle, I think I could detect some of that barley and seaweed on the nose. There’s quite a sweet smell to the bottle that almost reminded me of a whisky [or whiskey…when in Rome, and all that].
To style, that is an extremely clean gin. There’s loads of juniper and fruit right here, and it’s all very properly balanced. That barley continues to be hanging round too, and it makes for a really nice drink. I attempted it each neat (it labored effectively over the big ice dice I had it served with) and with a few completely different tonics. I believed it labored greatest with Indian tonic water, though I’ve simply famous that they advocate elderflower tonic and lemon (or mint). Both approach, Echlinville is an efficient gin in a G&T. I didn’t have the chance to strive it as a part of a cocktail this time round, so can’t remark. Would have an interest to listen to what you suppose within the feedback beneath when you’ve got.
I’d actually advocate that you just strive an Echlinville Gin. It’s fairly distinctive and it’s one I’m definitely going to re-visit on my subsequent journey to N.Eire. You should buy it from Amazon beneath, or purchase Echlinville from Grasp of Malt right here.
FECKiN Gin Assessment
Additionally distilled at Enchlinville is FECKiN Gin. Earlier than you ask, the title isn’t maybe what you suppose. Apparently it’s a mix of influences: the Irish verb “feck” (to steal throw or go away in a rush – as in “feck off”, I think about…); an expression of disbelief or ache; and an Irish saint from the seventh century. I just like the branding, however what concerning the gin?
Bottled at 40%, FECKiN has fairly a straight-forward botanical listing of 5: angelica, cassia bark, coriander and lemons all becoming a member of the juniper.
I’d not tried this explicit Northern Irish gin till this journey, though had been alerted to its promise by a pal (who “very a lot loved it” while over in N.Eire himself as you may see by the image beneath) and I used to be trying ahead to making an attempt it.
A FECKiN Gin in it’s pure N.Irish atmosphere (Feckin terrible photograph courtesy of C.Low)
To odor, and style, that is one refreshing gin. Huge hits of juniper and lemon. The flavours are daring, and I didn’t truly suppose it wanted any type of garnish (I wouldn’t stray from lemon when you do). Lob some ice and good tonic in a glass and you’ve got a cracking gin and tonic.
You may get maintain of FECKiN Gin fairly broadly, which is an efficient factor when you like lemons (I do, so I’m bought). Purchase it from Amazon beneath, or from Grasp or Malt.
Belfast 1912 Gin
On the day we took the household to go to the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast (which is great, as is W5 close by when you’ve got children) I used to be fortunate sufficient to get to strive Belfast 1912 Gin that night in a Belfast pub. There’s an attention-grabbing backstory right here, with the gin being recreated primarily based on a secret gin recipe initially distilled in Belfast within the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
I say that I used to be fortunate to strive it as a result of I’m a bit of not sure as to its present standing [stocks at stockists appear low, and it looks as if the firm entered administration in 2018 – can any reader confirm this?]
The very fetching gentle blue bottle, that includes a ship’s propeller, accommodates a 43.1% gin with a botanical combine together with lime, coriander and angelica. Like Echlinville Gin above, the nostril promised a little bit of malt from the grain spirit used.
To style, I discovered it had fairly an earthy high quality that definitely revealed the juniper. There was additionally that lime coming by way of and I believed a little bit of pepper too. I had the sum complete of two G&Ts with this gin although, so I can’t say that this was essentially the most thorough overview I’ve ever undertaken! It did nevertheless, come throughout as a properly rounded gin and one which’s price looking for out if you will discover it.
Belfast Artisan Gin
The one which acquired away! After making an attempt 8 out of those 9 gins I didn’t handle to finish my style tour of Northern Irish Gin by discovering any Belfast Artisan Gin.
Critiques I’ve seen counsel a clean gin, with notes of spice and citrus. It’s bottled at 40% and you should purchase it right here from Irishmalts.com. Please do let me know what you consider it within the feedback beneath, or through e mail to contact@whichgin.
I’ll be again to N.Eire quickly although, so will make some extent of looking for this one out!
Northern Irish Gin excursions
I didn’t get the possibility this time, however a number of of the distilleries talked about above have excursions (though some are time of yr dependent). Some hyperlinks beneath so that you can examine:
I feel they’d be effectively price a go to. When you’re searching for suggestions, additionally price a go to in Belfast is Berts Jazz Bar at The Service provider Resort. A terrific vary of cocktails that we loved working our approach by way of:
Northern Irish gin information
Effectively, that concludes this information to Northern Irish gin. I’m a giant fan of N.Eire, its folks and produce. Please do let me know within the feedback beneath – or contact me at contact@whichgin.com – when you discover any extra gins for me to strive on my subsequent journey!
Cheers! Andy Okay.
