Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with Italian Fig & Laurel 750ml

Ireland's Shed Distillery has built an annual tradition of chasing the world's most unexpected botanicals for its limited-edition Gunpowder releases — last year it was Brazilian Pineapple, and this year the team went even further afield, drawing on Mediterranean Italy for two genuinely distinctive additions: Italian Viola fig and laurel, joined by Tuscan juniper for good measure. Drinkhacker's own review called it possibly "even more unique" than the prior year's tropical edition. The whole project was developed in collaboration with Bruno Vanzan, a two-time World Champion mixologist whose career began in Rome before taking him around the globe honing his craft.

Every bottle starts from the same foundation as the standard Gunpowder recipe: ten base botanicals, including the brand's namesake Chinese gunpowder tea, juniper, and meadowsweet, all slow-distilled by hand in medieval copper pot stills at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, on the shores of Lough Allen in County Leitrim. Four additional botanicals — including Italian laurel and Tuscan juniper — are vapor-infused during distillation rather than macerated directly, a technique that layers in aromatic complexity without overwhelming the base spirit. The Italian Viola figs themselves are sourced from the "heel" of Italy, contributing genuine dark fruit character and natural sweetness, while Mediterranean laurel (bay laurel) grounds the brighter citrus notes with a sophisticated, herbal edge. Every bottle is hand-filled, labeled, and sealed by the distillery team in Drumshanbo itself.

Drinkhacker's independent review found "the nose is intensely citrussy, perhaps the boldest and juiciest I've yet encountered from Drumshanbo/Gunpowder," pouring out "with notes of frozen lemonade, dried lime peel, and grapefruit soda that are equally tart and sweet." The official tasting notes describe the nose opening "with lively notes of fresh citrus, followed by soft nuances of ripe fig and an elegant herbal, balsamic touch of laurel," with "subtle and harmonious juniper" emerging in the background, "enriched by vegetal hints of green tea that bring depth and freshness." On the palate: "a refined combination of fruity fig, fresh juniper, and vegetal, lightly spicy accents," with gunpowder tea providing "extra depth and a dry, lively structure," closing "elegant, dry and aromatic, with lingering notes of fig, bay leaf, and fresh herbs." This is genuinely adventurous, limited-edition gin — a real Mediterranean detour from Gunpowder's signature oriental-tea-driven house style.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with Italian Fig & Laurel is produced by The Shed Distillery, founded by PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo, on the shores of Lough Allen in County Leitrim, Ireland. This limited-edition release was created in collaboration with Bruno Vanzan, a two-time World Champion mixologist whose career began in Rome before taking him around the world.

The gin builds on the standard Gunpowder recipe of ten base botanicals — including Chinese gunpowder tea, juniper, and meadowsweet — slow-distilled by hand in medieval copper pot stills. Four additional botanicals, including Italian laurel and Tuscan juniper, are vapor-infused during distillation, alongside Italian Viola figs sourced from the "heel" of Italy. Every bottle is hand-filled, labeled, and sealed by the distillery team in Drumshanbo. Bottled at 43% ABV / 86 proof.

Critics Reviews

No numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time.

Drinkhacker (extended independent review):
"Ireland's The Shed Distillery is reaching deep into the botanical bag to keep their annual limited-edition offerings flowing. If you thought last year's Brazilian Pineapple was exotic, this latest release is maybe even more unique. In collaboration with Bruno Vanzan, two-time world champion mixologist, Gunpowder chose two Mediterranean botanicals for this latest limited release gin bill: Italian Viola Fig and Tuscan Juniper. Both were slow-distilled in a copper pot still, along with the gin's eight other classic botanicals and complement of vapor-infused citrus and namesake Gunpowder tea. The nose is intensely citrussy, perhaps the boldest and juiciest I've yet encountered from Drumshanbo/Gunpowder. It pours out of the glass with notes of frozen lemonade, dried lime peel, and grapefruit soda that are equally tart and sweet."

The Shed Distillery (official tasting notes):
"Colour: Clear, crystalline. Nose: Opens with lively notes of fresh citrus, followed by soft nuances of ripe fig and an elegant herbal, balsamic touch of laurel. In the background, subtle and harmonious juniper emerges, enriched by vegetal hints of green tea that bring depth and freshness."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Lively fresh citrus leads — frozen lemonade, dried lime peel, and grapefruit soda — joined by soft ripe fig and an elegant, balsamic touch of laurel, with subtle juniper and green tea in the background.

Palate
A refined combination of fruity fig, fresh juniper, and lightly spicy, vegetal accents, with gunpowder tea providing genuine depth and dry, lively structure.

Finish
Elegant, dry, and aromatic, closing with lingering fig, bay leaf, and fresh herbs.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Fig-topped cheese boards
• Prosciutto and Mediterranean charcuterie
• Citrus-forward salads
• Grilled white fish

Cocktail Suggestions

Bella Fizz (the distillery's own signature cocktail)
4 parts Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with Italian Fig & Laurel · 1 part fresh lemon juice · ¾ part simple syrup · top with soda, garnished with fresh mint and lemon.

Gin & Tonic — garnish with lemon zest, fresh mint, or a slice of fig.