Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with Brazilian Pineapple 750ml

J Rigney has never made a gin without a genuine travel story behind it. He founded The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, in 2014, and has spent the years since sending the flagship Gunpowder Irish Gin down a whole series of botanical detours inspired by his own trips around the world — this time, Natal, Brazil, during Carnival season. There, he encountered "abacaxi," the Portuguese word for pineapple that literally translates to "thorny fruit," a variety locally prized for its uniquely sweet, tangy character. Rigney brought it home to Drumshanbo, and the resulting gin folds that abacaxi directly into the existing Gunpowder recipe.

The production is genuinely unusual: twelve botanicals in total, sourced across nine countries, split between two distinct methods. Eight foundational botanicals — juniper, angelica root, orris root, caraway seed, coriander seed, meadowsweet, cardamom, and star anise — are slow-distilled by hand in medieval copper pot stills, the same traditional process behind the original Gunpowder Gin. The remaining four — Brazilian pineapple, grapefruit, lime, and the brand's signature gunpowder tea — are vapor-infused separately, preserving their fresh, tropical character rather than letting it stew alongside the heavier, more earthy botanicals. Every bottle is still hand-filled, labeled, and sealed by the distillery team in Drumshanbo.

Drinkhacker's independent review found the pineapple genuinely present but honest rather than exaggerated: "bright and juicy but a bit underripe, with a less concentrated sweetness than the stuff you might find in chunks or rings at the supermarket," with "undertones of juniper and that trademark, dry gunpowder green tea spice" accentuating the tropical notes, "a fresh squeeze of lime and a bit of licorice" rounding out "an impressive bouquet." On the palate: "early notes of tea leaves and matcha giving way to the pulpy, high-tone sweetness" of the pineapple, with "citrus shining on the midpalate" through dried grapefruit and lime zest, closing on "a warm finish of white pepper, pine resin, and cardamom pods." The Gin is In offered an equally candid take, describing "green pineapple on the nose, with hints of papaya, makrut lime leaf, and a touch of pine-forward juniper," warming to "a candy-like note — reminding me a bit of a white jellybean with lime undertones," and specifically praising the palate: "if the nose made you nervous that the qualities you love about the flagship Gunpowder Gin might be missing, the palate tells another story." Their honest verdict: "it isn't as sweet as you might expect on its own... a citrus-led pineapple that gives it balance." Best in a Gin Sour, Tom Collins, Gimlet, or classic Martini — genuinely built for citrus-forward serves rather than trying to be everything to everyone.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with Brazilian Pineapple is produced at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland, founded by PJ Rigney in 2014. This expression is inspired directly by Rigney's own travels to Natal, Brazil during Carnival season, where he encountered abacaxi — the locally celebrated Brazilian pineapple variety, known for its refreshingly sweet and tangy character distinct from other pineapple types.

The gin incorporates twelve total botanicals sourced across nine countries. Eight — juniper, angelica root, orris root, caraway seed, coriander seed, meadowsweet, cardamom, and star anise — form the foundation of the classic Gunpowder recipe and are slow-distilled by hand in traditional, medieval-style copper pot stills. The remaining four — Brazilian pineapple, grapefruit, lime, and the brand's signature gunpowder tea — are vapor-infused separately, preserving their fresh, bright character. Bottled at 43% ABV, with every bottle hand-filled, labeled, and sealed by the distillery team in Drumshanbo. This expression joined the brand's growing lineup of botanical offshoots from the flagship Gunpowder Irish Gin, following the earlier Sardinian Citrus and California Citrus editions, and became available nationwide beginning September 2024.

Critics Reviews

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

Drinkhacker (extended independent review):
"The new Brazilian botanical is readily apparent on the nose, although perhaps not quite what fans of fruit cocktail might expect. It's bright and juicy but a bit underripe with a less concentrated sweetness than the stuff you might find in chunks or rings at the supermarket. Undertones of juniper and that trademark, dry gunpowder green tea spice accentuate the tropical fruit notes while a fresh squeeze of lime and a bit of licorice round out an impressive bouquet. On the palate, there's more of the same with early notes of tea leaves and matcha giving way to the pulpy, high tone sweetness of the Brazilian pineapple. Citrus shines on the midpalate with dried grapefruit and lime zest before a warm finish of white pepper, pine resin, and cardamom pods arrives. The headlining botanical makes for a fun twist on gin cocktails like the Last Word or a classic martini."

The Gin is In (extended independent review):
"Color: Perfectly clear (though the bottle itself is a bright yellow). Aroma: Green pineapple on the nose, with hints of papaya, makrut lime leaf, and a touch of pine-forward juniper. As it warms, the pineapple takes on a candy-like note — reminding me a bit of a white jellybean with lime undertones. Flavor: If the nose made you nervous that the qualities you love about the flagship Gunpowder Gin might be missing, the palate tells another story. Early notes of beautiful gunpowder tea, juniper, and a touch of cardamom open the experience... The gin is what it says it is — if you go in expecting anything other than pineapple, you'll be disappointed. But it isn't a sweet pineapple bomb. It's a citrus-led pineapple that gives it balance."

Palm Bay / official tasting notes:
"Exotic Brazilian pineapple weaves through crystalline gunpowder tea and oriental botanicals. Sweet, tangy, and refreshing, with a smooth, well-balanced finish."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Perfectly clear in the glass, though housed in a distinctive bright yellow bottle. Green pineapple leads, bright and juicy but genuinely underripe rather than candy-sweet, with hints of papaya and makrut lime leaf. Undertones of juniper and dry, trademark gunpowder green tea spice accentuate the tropical fruit, alongside a fresh squeeze of lime and a bit of licorice. As it warms, the pineapple develops a candy-like, white-jellybean quality.

Palate
Early notes of tea leaves and matcha open the experience, giving way to the pulpy, high-toned sweetness of the Brazilian pineapple. Citrus shines through the midpalate with dried grapefruit and lime zest, alongside gunpowder tea, juniper, and a touch of cardamom.

Finish
Warm and structured, closing with white pepper, pine resin, and cardamom pods. A citrus-led pineapple character carries genuine balance rather than tipping into an overly sweet, tropical-fruit-bomb style.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Suggestions

Gin Sour, Tom Collins, Gin Rickey, or Gimlet — the recommended cocktail family, pairing especially well with lemon and lime citrus.

Bold Pineapple Martini
2.5 oz Drumshanbo Gunpowder Brazilian Pineapple Gin · dry vermouth to taste · lemon twist garnish (recommended over a citrus-heavy garnish for balance).

Gin & Tonic
Serve over ice with tonic water, garnished with a grapefruit wedge.