The Sliabh Liag Distillery Produces a Magnificent Irish Gin Using Five Locally Harvested Seaweeds
Dúlamán Irish Gin from the Sliabh Liag Distillery is probably my favorite Gin ever made!!! An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin came from an inspired moment on Muckross Head, and is a remarkable gin by any stretch. It is the very essence of Donegal and uniquely captures the drama, flavour and magic of the sea. The bottle is etched with the maritime heritage of Donegal and the Armada wrecks off the coast.
To make An Dúlamán, Sliabh Liag captures “Draíocht na Farraige” (the magic of the sea) by using five locally harvested seaweeds as well as six other botanicals. To ensure that An Dúlamán maintains its characteristic complexity and softness they have learned that Méabh (their still) likes a low ABV in the pot, and to run in a narrow temperature band to manage the delicate seaweeds. To top if off they take a devilishly narrow cut.
Sliabh Liag Distillers
Distilled by Sliabh Liag Distillers, less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, the world’s first Irish Maritime Gin has been described as “A love letter to the Donegal Coast”. Six commonly used botanicals make up the robust base for An Dúlamán, juniper, coriander, angelica, cassia, lemon and sweet orange peel. At the heart of this unique gin are five shoreline botanicals, hand harvested seaweeds that create a gin “of the sea”, deeply complex with rich umami and a slight briney undercurrent, yet unbelievably soft.
The Legendary Silkie Blended Irish Whiskey Information:
- Region: Ireland
- Distillers: Unknown – Sourced by Sliabh Liag Distillers
- Bonder: Sliabh Liag Distillers – An Dúlamán Distillery (‘The Seaweed’)
- Mashbill: Peated Malted Barley & Grain
- Cask: Bourbon
- Age: Non Age Statement (includes 8 year old single malt whiskey)
- ABV: 46% ABV – 92% Proof
- Filtered: Non-Chill Filtered
An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin Tasting Notes
Dulse and Carrageen Moss have long been collected around the rocky shores of Donegal and revered for their high nutrition, these seaweeds are today regarded as a delicacy. Sugar Kelp is fresh and vegetal and adds natural sweetness while Channel Wrack (Dúlamán in Irish) has strong tannin, able to cut through and balance the spices of cassia and coriander. The fifth shoreline botanical is the most elusive known as “The truffle of the sea” or Pepper Dulse, and despite it’s tiny size it is brimming with flavours of garlic, truffle and umami spice. The best Pepper Dulse grows far down the shoreline so Sliabh Liag Distillers wait for the full moon each month to draw back the tide and reveal this tiny treasure.
NOSE
A beautifully well rounded gin with plentiful notes of the sea, soft juniper and a buttery sweetness!
TASTE
The palate has incredibly bright and soft juniper to the fore, and as it subsibdes, An Dúlamán’s complexity is revealed in rich umami, brisk salt, zest and then a buttery oyster smoothness with hints of chestnut and firm tannin.
FINISH
Given time, sweet notes of peach ebb to a comforting warmth.
Recommended Cocktail from TheTaste.ie
A glass of An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin will help bring a taste of the Irish sea air to wherever you are in the world. If lockdown has you landlocked, this multi award-winning gin uses five locally harvested varieties of seaweed and six other botanicals, to harness ‘draíocht na farraige’ (the magic of the sea).
The Maritime Berry Fizz Cocktail is a refreshingly, tasty tipple that we hope you enjoy!
Ingredients:
- A handful of summer berries
- 50ml of An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin
- 20ml of sugar syrup (2 parts boiling water, 1 part sugar, and let it cool)
- 10ml of Lime juice
- Ice
Method:
- Muddle a handful of summer berries in the bottom of a large glass
- Add 50ml of An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin
- Add 20ml of sugar syrup (2 parts boiling water, 1 part sugar, and let it cool)
- Add 10ml of Lime juice
- Add ice and stir well to mix the muddled berries through the drink.
- Top up with a little more ice and soda water
- Garnish with a berry and lime wedge!
Where to buy An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin
A traditional Irish bar and Restaurant, frequented by the locals, the Olde Castle Bar is a multiple award winning Irish Bar. It is situated in the countryside surrounding Donegal, beside a 19th century church building and in the shadow of Red Hugh O’Donnel’s Castle. The Fish Dock Restaurant in Donegal is home to the finest Donegal seafood, steaks, beers, wines & whiskies – served by the O’Toole family and their team, with a smile and a Cead Mile Failte!
Every Whiskey Tells a Story, What Will Yours Be?
Sláinte from The Whiskey Trail
#EatDrinkExplore – By Paul Kavanagh
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