Glendalough Rose Gin 750ML

Glendalough Rose Gin 750ML is a vapor-distilled Irish gin made with three varieties of rose, bottled at 41% ABV (82 proof) in a 750ml format. A consistent award winner, it earned Gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold at the 2023 World Gin Awards in the Flavoured Gin category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 41%  |  Origin: County Wicklow, Ireland  |  Flavoured Gin  |  Distillery: Glendalough Distillery

Production & Heritage

Glendalough Distillery, recognized as Ireland's first new craft distillery, operates in County Wicklow in the heart of Ireland's Garden County. The Rose Gin begins with a slower, more gentle vapor distillation than the distillery's Wild Botanical Gin — a deliberate choice given the fragile nature of rose petals as a botanical ingredient. Three distinct rose varieties are used: wild roses foraged from the Wicklow mountains, heritage roses lovingly cultivated in the garden of head distiller's mother Rose, and ancient Damask roses prized for their intense fragrance. After distillation, the spirit is further infused with additional rose petals to deepen the floral character and produce its naturally pink hue.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright lemon zest and blood orange open the nose, followed by soft juniper and a deeply perfumed, aromatic rose character. Underneath the florals sits an unexpected spiciness, with hints of peppercorn adding complexity.

Taste: The palate enters with distinct rose petal and Turkish Delight sweetness, giving way to bright berry notes at the mid-palate. Citrus and a nectar-like sweetness build toward the peak, while traditional gin botanicals — juniper, coriander — provide a grounding backbone that keeps the expression balanced rather than cloying.

Finish: The finish is long and lingering, with floral rose notes persisting alongside pink peppercorn and a touch of earthy spice. It fades gracefully, leaving a dry, aromatic impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Glendalough Rose Gin

Neat or over ice allows the full aromatic complexity of the triple-rose infusion to emerge, though a quality tonic and a twist of grapefruit makes an excellent starting point. Three cocktails that showcase this gin particularly well: a Rose Gin & Tonic with elderflower tonic and fresh lemon, where the floral layers amplify each other beautifully; a Clover Club, where the natural berry and rose notes reinforce the cocktail's raspberry syrup; and a French 75, where the citrus brightness and delicate florals integrate seamlessly with champagne's effervescence.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who appreciates floral, botanical-forward expressions
• Hosting a spring or summer garden party with gin-based cocktails
• Introducing someone to flavoured gin through a well-balanced, award-winning example
• Building a curated home bar collection of internationally recognized craft gins

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Glendalough Rose Gin taste like? The dominant profile is fresh rose petal with Turkish Delight sweetness, balanced by bright citrus, juniper, and a surprising hint of pink peppercorn spice. It is floral without being overly sweet, with traditional gin botanicals keeping it well-structured.

How does Glendalough Rose Gin compare to Hendrick's Gin? Both use rose as a key botanical, but Hendrick's is a London Dry style where rose and cucumber play supporting roles alongside a broader botanical bill, while Glendalough Rose Gin places three rose varieties front and center via vapor distillation and post-distillation infusion. The result is a more overtly floral and aromatic expression at 41% ABV compared to Hendrick's 44% ABV.

Is Glendalough Rose Gin good for cocktails? Absolutely — the pronounced floral and citrus character holds up well in mixed drinks, particularly gin and tonics, Clover Clubs, and spritz-style serves. Its 41% ABV provides enough structure to carry through ice dilution without losing its distinctive rose personality.

Where is Glendalough Rose Gin made? It is produced by Glendalough Distillery in County Wicklow, Ireland, a region known as the Garden of Ireland. The wild roses used in production are foraged from the surrounding Wicklow mountains, while heritage roses come from gardens tended by the distillery team's own family.

What foods pair well with Glendalough Rose Gin? Soft goat cheese and honeycomb complement its floral sweetness; smoked salmon highlights the citrus and juniper backbone; berry-topped pavlova echoes its natural fruit character; charcuterie with mild salami balances the peppercorn spice; and light Middle Eastern dishes like fattoush or hummus mirror the Turkish Delight and rose water notes.

What sizes does Glendalough Rose Gin come in? The standard bottle size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Glendalough Rose Gin worth the price? It positions as a premium craft gin, and its multiple Gold medals — including the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold and a Super Premium Master at The Gin Masters 2019 — place it among the most critically recognized flavoured gins in its price tier. For drinkers seeking a distinctive, well-executed floral gin, it represents strong value relative to its accolades.

Why Glendalough Rose Gin?

What separates this expression from the crowded field of pink and floral gins is the specificity of its sourcing and the deliberateness of its process. Using three distinct rose varieties — wild, heritage, and ancient Damask — and employing both vapor distillation and post-distillation infusion creates a layered complexity that single-botanical gins rarely achieve. The accolades confirm it: Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, World Gin Awards, and New York International Spirits Competition across multiple consecutive years speak to remarkable consistency. This is a flavoured gin built by a distillery with genuine foraging credentials and a production approach tailored specifically to the fragility of its star ingredient.