PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
PJ Rigney's Gunpowder Irish Gin has never stayed still for long. Following the 2021 success of his Sardinian Citrus edition, the founder of The Shed Distillery went looking for the next detour — and found it, unexpectedly, on a trip north of San Francisco Bay, where the sun-drenched citrus groves of California's celebrated growing region left a genuine impression. "The local people introduced him to the sumptuous abundance of California Orange Citrus," reads the distillery's own account of the trip, and Rigney "saw immediately how this bright & colourful burst of fresh California Orange Citrus would meld into the exotic layers of fresh citrus, oriental botanicals and gunpowder tea" that define his flagship gin. He brought it home to Drumshanbo, and California Orange Citrus became the second flavored extension of the Gunpowder line, arriving in the US market in February 2023.
The production follows the same meticulous method behind every Drumshanbo Gunpowder expression: eight core botanicals — juniper, angelica root, orris root, caraway seed, coriander seed, meadowsweet, cardamom, and star anise — slow-distilled by hand in the distillery's medieval-style copper pot stills, joined by four vapor-infused botanicals where California Orange Citrus takes the place typically held by Chinese lemon, alongside oriental grapefruit, kaffir lime, and the brand's signature gunpowder tea. Every bottle is still hand-filled, labeled, and sealed by the distillery team in Drumshanbo.
Drinkhacker's Drew Beard found the result "citrus forward, but not excessively so, with a soft undercurrent of pulpy orange slice and sweet orange oil," a gin that "remains true to Gunpowder form, impressively approachable with a balanced sweetness and mild warmth." He noted the classic green tea profile "at first threatens to overpower the California citrus dimension," but with a little time in the glass, "things coalesce sufficiently with a more classic introduction of juniper and matcha that transitions to brighter, oily orange peel," closing on "orange candies and dried herbs" — calling it "another impressive addition to the Gunpowder lineup." Michael's Wine Cellar described the gin as "delightfully fresh and rounded up front with refreshing notes of juniper and spice, followed by a burst of California orange citrus," and the bottle has earned a 4.5-star rating from Spirits Journal. This is Rigney's now-familiar formula executed with real consistency: take a trip, find an unexpected local ingredient, and see exactly how far the classic Gunpowder recipe can bend without ever losing what made it special in the first place.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with California Orange Citrus is produced at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland, founded by PJ Rigney. This expression is the second flavored brand extension of the flagship Gunpowder Irish Gin, following the Sardinian Citrus edition launched in May 2021, and became available in the United States beginning February 2023. It's inspired directly by Rigney's own trip north of the San Francisco Bay Area, where he encountered California's celebrated orange-growing region and its distinctive, sun-ripened citrus.
The gin incorporates twelve botanicals total: eight core botanicals — juniper, angelica root, orris root, caraway seed, coriander seed, meadowsweet, cardamom, and star anise — slow-distilled by hand in the distillery's medieval-style copper pot stills, alongside four vapor-infused botanicals in which California Orange Citrus replaces the Chinese lemon typically used in the standard Gunpowder recipe, joined by oriental grapefruit, kaffir lime, and gunpowder tea. Bottled at 43% ABV, with every bottle hand-filled, labeled, and sealed by the distillery team in Drumshanbo.
Spirits Journal — 4.5 Stars
Drew Beard, Drinkhacker (extended review):
"Like the Sardinian Citrus release, a small change in ingredients has given this Drumshanbo a sufficiently nuanced profile that still won't be too much of a departure for fans of the classic expression. Once again, it's more citrus forward, but not excessively so with a soft undercurrent of pulpy orange slice and sweet orange oil. On the palate, this gin remains true to Gunpowder form, impressively approachable with a balanced sweetness and mild warmth. Drumshanbo's classic green tea profile at first threatens to overpower the California citrus dimension, but with a little time things coalesce sufficiently with a more classic introduction of juniper and matcha that transitions to brighter, oily orange peel. The finish lingers with orange candies and dried herbs. Another impressive addition to the Gunpowder lineup."
Michael's Wine Cellar (extended tasting note):
"Crystalline Gunpowder tea with Oriental botanicals are complemented by bright notes of California orange citrus. Delightfully fresh and rounded up front with refreshing notes of juniper and spice, followed by a burst of California orange citrus."
Palm Bay / The Shed Distillery (official tasting note):
"Sun-ripened California Orange Citrus brightens the Gunpowder profile of oriental botanicals and gunpowder tea. Crisp and refreshing, with a smooth, well-balanced finish."
Total Wine community reviews:
"Love the citrus taste in this one. Goes great with orange juice and tonic." / "This is my favorite of the 3 gins that Drumshanbo has to offer... I usually mix this with tonic and just have it that way."
Nose
Delightfully fresh and rounded, opening with refreshing juniper and spice, followed by a burst of California orange citrus — pulpy orange slice and sweet orange oil, brightened by crystalline gunpowder tea and oriental botanicals.
Palate
Impressively approachable, with balanced sweetness and mild warmth. The classic green tea profile initially leads, before coalescing into a more familiar introduction of juniper and matcha that transitions into brighter, oily orange peel.
Finish
Lingers with orange candies and dried herbs, closing crisp, refreshing, and well-balanced — true to Gunpowder form throughout, with the California citrus adding genuine brightness rather than overwhelming the base recipe.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Flavored Irish Gin — Botanical Offshoot of Gunpowder Irish Gin |
| ABV | 43% |
| Botanicals | 12 total — juniper, angelica root, orris root, caraway seed, coriander seed, meadowsweet, cardamom, star anise (pot-distilled) + California Orange Citrus, oriental grapefruit, kaffir lime, gunpowder tea (vapor-infused) |
| Producer | The Shed Distillery — Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, Ireland |
| Founder | PJ Rigney |
| Inspiration | Rigney's trip north of San Francisco Bay, California |
| Series | 2nd flavored Gunpowder extension (following Sardinian Citrus, May 2021) |
| US Launch | February 2023 |
| Production | Slow-distilled in medieval copper pot stills + vapor infusion |
| Bottling | Hand-filled, labeled, sealed at the distillery |
| Critics | Spirits Journal 4.5 Stars · Drinkhacker reviewed |
| Style / Identity | A citrus-forward, balanced twist on the classic Gunpowder Gin — approachable, bright, well-integrated |
| Aromas & Flavors | Pulpy orange slice, sweet orange oil, gunpowder tea, juniper, matcha, orange peel, dried herbs |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
California Gunpowder Margarita (the distillery's own signature serve)
4 parts Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with California Orange Citrus · 2 parts reposado tequila · 2.5 parts lime juice · 1 part sugar syrup · 1 part triple sec, in a glass rimmed with sea salt, garnished with a wedge of fresh orange.
Gin & Tonic
Serve over ice with tonic and a fresh orange wedge — a customer favorite serve.
Gin & Orange Juice
A simple, refreshing highball combination specifically praised by customers.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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