An Dulaman

An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin is the first gin produced in County Donegal. What makes this exceptional gin special is that it captures "Draíochtna Farraige," the "magic of the sea": it is crafted with five local species of seaweed and six other botanicals. One of the seaweeds, Channel Wreck, is called An Dúlamán in Irish and gives the gin its name. Each distillation of this small-batch gin yields only about 600 bottles. The dark glass bottle in which the gin is presented is reminiscent of bottles salvaged from old Spanish Armada wrecks found all along the coast and is sealed with a wax seal, batch number, bottle number, and the coordinates of the Sliabh Liag Distillery. On the palate, the gin presents soft juniper notes first, before revealing its complexity and richness with umami and tannins, salty and spicy notes – pleasantly smooth and subtly earthy. After a while, a warmth emerges, along with a hint of peach aroma. It tastes wonderful with a lemony tonic water.

This An Dúlamán Memories of Asia Gin is the latest addition to the An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin collection. Unlike previous bottlings, this gin was inspired by the time gin distiller/founder Moira Doherty spent in Asia. However, this special edition was created and distilled in Donegal, Ireland. So what makes Memories of Asia so special? Three seaweeds from the original An Dúlamán recipe have been replaced with seven exciting new ingredients: oolong tea, ginger, sesame seeds, hibiscus flowers, sakura (dried Japanese cherry blossoms preserved in salt), star anise, and kaffir lime leaves. All the ingredients complement each other perfectly, capturing the aromas and flavors of the Hong Kong lifestyle. The nose is surprised by a rich, crisp pine note, complemented by exotic floral notes and earthy tones. On the palate, An Dúlamán Memories of Asia Gin initially reveals juniper, followed by a light umami note with a fragrant, mild star anise sweetness in the finish. Enjoy this unique gin creation neat, on the rocks, with tonic, or in a classic gin cocktail.

The name Santa Ana comes from one of the ill-fated ships of the Spanish Armada, the Duquesa Santa Ana, which ran aground off the Irish coast in Donegal. An Dúlamán Santa Ana Gin is not only the first Armada or Navy Strength Gin produced in Ireland, but it also derives its distinctive character from a maturation period in former Rioja casks. These casks impart an elegant rose-gold hue and a delicate, natural sweetness that blends harmoniously with complex maritime notes. Despite its robust style, Santa Ana Gin is surprisingly smooth and balanced on the nose and palate. Fruity hints from the Rioja casks complement the diverse botanicals, adding depth and elegance. The finish is pleasantly warming and accompanied by a subtle orange note. This gin is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, but classic cocktails like the Martini or Negroni also gain a unique and characterful touch with An Dúlamán Santa Ana Gin. Only four batches of around 600 bottles each are produced annually, making this gin a particularly limited and sought-after specialty.