Five Northern Ireland gins for a #StayHome tonic

Point your browser towards Northern Ireland, where you can discover a whole world of craft gin that could grace your drinks cabinet in time for World Gin Day, held annually on the second Saturday of June.

For dedicated gin geeks, embracing the giant spirit of Northern Ireland could never be as literal and as tasty. 

Shortcross Gin, Northern Ireland’s first craft gin, has been distilled since 2012 by husband and wife team David and Fiona Boyd-Armstrong at the couple’s historic Rademon Estate just outside Downpatrick, County Down – where the grave of St Patrick can be found.

The estate is one of the oldest in Ireland and its verdant 500 acres yield many of the ingredients for the spirit. Renowned for its aromatic and exceptionally smooth taste, it’s best served with a garnish of orange peel.

For those who like a classic dry gin, Jawbox Gin could be the one. Called after what is more commonly known as a Belfast sink, in times of old a jawbox was a white ceramic staple of Northern Irish kitchens.

Ireland’s first single estate gin, Jawbox uses grain grown on the Echlinville Estate, also famous for its whiskey. The creators recommend trying the gin with ginger ale, mint leaves and a wedge of fresh lime.

The Copeland Distillery only opened its doors for the first time in 2019, and its tasty Copeland Traditional Irish Gin features 12 carefully selected botanicals including pine needles and cubeb berries. On the palate, this gin gives notes of piney juniper followed with caramelized orange and a long lingering subtle spice that coats the tongue. 

The Copeland gin range includes Rhuberry Gin, a mix of rhubarb and blackberry, and Raspberry and Mint Gin.

In the famous lakelands of County Fermanagh more taste sensations are emanating from a relatively new arrival on the scene, Boatyard Distillery. Only the best organic ingredients are chosen to make each small batch craft gin. 

The award-winning Boatyard Double Gin was the first to be released from the distillery and is the very essence of Fermanagh. It is brought to life with botanicals from the founder’s family farm, including a foraged sweet gale. A second product, Boatyard Old Tom Gin, has notes of candied lemon peel, vanilla and cinnamon spice, with a silky orange finish.

Meanwhile, Killowen Gin, distilled near the village of Rostrevor in the Mourne Mountains, places seasonal botanicals to the fore, many of which are handpicked from the slopes of the iconic mountains. The result is an unusual gin celebrating the maritime and highland environment of the area.

www.ireland.com