Drumshanbo - Gunpowder Irish Gin California Orange

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is made at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland, founded by PJ Rigney in 2014. The distillery sits at the foot of Sliabh an Iarainn mountain on the shores of Lough Allen, and the gin takes its name from Gunpowder tea, one of its signature botanicals.

The California Orange expression is a seasonal or limited variant that leans into citrus character by incorporating California-grown oranges alongside the original botanical bill, which includes the Gunpowder tea, Chinese cardamom, kaffir lime, and a collection of Asian spices alongside more traditional gin botanicals.

The result is a contemporary-style gin that departs from the juniper-forward conventions of London Dry, offering a rounder, more fruit-driven profile with a distinct citrus brightness on top of the spiced and tea-inflected base.

Pot still distillation is used, which adds body and texture compared to column-distilled gins. At 43% ABV, it is approachable enough to sip over ice with a garnish of orange peel, and the citrus-forward character makes it a natural fit for a gin and tonic with a quality tonic water.

It also performs well in classic citrus cocktails such as a Gimlet or a simple Collins. The bottle itself, with its distinctive circular window and illustrated design, is worth noting as one of the more recognizable packages in the category.