An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin

An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin is the first gin produced in County Donegal. What makes this exceptional gin so special is that it captures "Draiochtna Farraige", the "magic of the sea": it is made with five local species of seaweed as well as six other botanicals. One of these seaweeds, Channel Wreck, is called An Dulaman in Irish and gives the gin its name.

To give An Dulaman Irish Maritime Gin its characteristic complexity and smoothness, it is made in "meabh," a handcrafted 500-liter still, at a low alcohol content and precise temperature range to do justice to the fine seaweed. Each distillation of the small batch gin yields only about 600 bottles.

The dark glass bottle in which the gin is presented is reminiscent of bottles from old Spanish Armada wrecks found all along the coast, and features a wax seal and bottle neck label with batch number, bottle number and Sliabh Liag Distillery coordinates. It also shows the phase of the moon when the seaweed in each batch was harvested, and is signed by "Gin Queen" Moira Doherty.

On the palate, this masterful gin shows soft juniper notes up front, but then lets its complexity be felt, revealing its richness with umami and salty notes, spice and a pleasant smoothness with a touch of earthiness and tannins. After a while, a pleasant warmth emerges with a hint of peach flavors. An Dulaman Irish Maritime Gin is wonderful to combine with a lemony tonic water.