Brenda McCormick | Copywriter
Gin has come a long way in recent years and there is now a huge array of flavours and styles available, from the crisp and dry traditional to the more floral and fruity – or entirely unexpected. Often the best and most interesting gins are infused with the flavours of where they’re made. They conjure up the character of a place, whether it’s the wild landscape of Ireland’s south-west coast, for example, or the refined elegance of Japan.
If you’re new to the world of gin or want to explore some new taste horizons here are three top options; one from Japan and two from a little closer to home – all at great prices in the O’Briens Gin Sale. Now all you need is some tonic and lots of ice!
Dingle Gin makes the most of local Kerry botanicals
Dingle Original Gin
Dingle, Co KerryWAS €36 NOW €30 (until Bank Holiday Monday 1 May 2023)
This top Irish gin is made in Dingle, Co Kerry. It has a clean, juniper-forward finish but also features a whole host of local botanicals including rowan berry, fuchsia, bog myrtle, hawthorn and heather. The unique blend results in a fresh, floral character that balances well with the traditional juniper note in this smooth and fragrant gin.
Roku combines Japanese botanicals with more traditional gin botanicals
Roku Japanese Gin
Japan
WAS €48.95 NOW €30 (until Bank Holiday Monday 1 May 2023)
The award-winning Roku gin hails from Japan and features six (‘roku’) Japanese botanicals, namely Sakura flower, Sakura leaf, Yuzu peel, Sencha tea (green tea), Gyokuro tea (refined green tea) and Sanshō pepper. They’re blended with eight traditional botanicals to create a beautifully balanced gin with a truly distinctive flavour.
Minke Gin is made in Clonakilty, Co Cork
Minke Irish Gin
Clonakilty, Co CorkWAS €39.95 NOW €35 (Part of our Gin Sale. Price valid until 29 May 2023.)
From the Clonakilty distillery, Minke Irish gin makes the most of its Atlantic-adjacent home, and not just because it takes its name from the minke whale which swims off the coast. The gin contains native rock samphire which is sustainably hand harvested from the cliffs along the shoreline and gives this crisp, dry gin a unique fennel-like note.
You can check out our full range of Irish and international gins here.
All prices are correct at time published and are part of the O'Briens Gin Sale. Please check our website or stores for the most up-to-date pricing and offers.