An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin is an evocative portrait of the Irish Donegal coast. It begins from a base of classic gin botanicals and adds five local seaweeds to create a briny, seaweed-forward gin that calls to mind ocean air.
Tasting notes
Aroma: A hint of ocean air sits above a base of juniper and orange zest. There’s a distinctive green note on the nose, but rather than kelp or seaweed I get lovage and celery leaves. It’s green and fresh. It’s quite lovely and quite unique.
Flavor: With a soft mouthfeel, An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin has a long evolving palate that is warm and complex.
First, it begins a bit green with hints of cucumber skin and wakame. Mid-palate, a hint of minerality. A stony hint of slate, spicy cassia and peppery juniper begins to emerge.
Towards the back, there’s still some cassia but lots of iodine kissed seaweed notes— it’s mineral but not exactly saline. Complex and herbal with some soft hints of citrus, especially lemon oil in the abckground.
Finish: Long and warm, with mineral, stone, seaweed and a touch of citrus.
Cocktails and suggsted serves
An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin is a challenging mixer— the unique perspective deserves to be built around rather than treated as an every day gin.
For example, I think it makes a lovely Southside. Mixed drinks with soda, especially club sodas with a touch of salt absolutely celebrate that ocean air botanical vibe.
However, drinks like the Last Word almost collide with the same notes that An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin brings— the herbs of the Chartreuse overpower the green, seaweed notes of gin. It can drive a Martini on its own, with the herbal notes, when chilled, almost acting as its own vermouth. Garnish with an olive or onion to further celebrate that ocean flavor.
Overall, An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin
An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin is a beautiful gin with a unique perspective that combines novelty and the signature notes of gin. Cassia and citrus don’t feel like “checkboxes” but instead like the perfect counterpoints to the flavors the seaweeds bring.
While the seaweeds are front and center, its not a one-note gin. It’s a balanced gin that I think will equally delight fans of classic styles and experimental gins.
Highly recommended