Drumshanbo California Orange Citrus Gin 750ML

Drumshanbo California Orange Citrus Gin 750ML is a 43% ABV Irish gin infused with fresh California orange peel, slow-distilled in copper pot stills at The Shed Distillery. This expression earned a Platinum Award at the 2023 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge, affirming its position as a standout citrus-forward gin that layers bright American orange against a distinctly Irish botanical backbone.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43%  |  Origin: County Leitrim, Ireland  |  Style: Citrus-Infused Botanical Gin  |  Distillery: The Shed Distillery

Production & Heritage

The Shed Distillery sits in the small town of Drumshanbo in County Leitrim, one of Ireland's most rural regions. Founded by PJ Rigney, the distillery uses medieval-style copper pot stills to slow-distill each batch, a deliberate choice that allows for greater extraction of aromatic oils from the botanical charge. The California Orange Citrus expression builds on the original Gunpowder Irish Gin recipe — featuring 8 pot-still-distilled and 4 vapour-infused botanicals including gunpowder green tea from China, makrut lime, and coriander seed — then introduces fresh California orange peel as its defining addition. These botanicals trace a journey PJ Rigney made from China back to Ireland, now extended to the American West Coast for that signature citrus burst.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Zesty sweet orange and candied citrus peel lead immediately, followed by subtle juniper and a distinctive green tea note. There is a layered quality to the nose that rewards patience, as the matcha-like character settles beneath the brighter citrus top notes.

Taste: The entry delivers juicy orange slices and vibrant citrus oil, almost like biting into a fresh navel orange. At mid-palate, the gunpowder green tea profile asserts itself with herbal spice and mild bitterness, creating tension with the fruit. Given a moment, the flavors coalesce — classic juniper and matcha transition smoothly into brighter, oily orange peel that dominates the peak.

Finish: Smooth and refreshing, with lingering orange zest, orange candy sweetness, and gentle floral notes. Dried herbs emerge at the tail end, adding complexity and a clean, dry close.

How to Drink Drumshanbo California Orange

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the best way to appreciate the interplay between green tea botanicals and California orange peel — the cold brings the citrus oils forward. A wedge of fresh orange rather than lime in the garnish keeps the flavor profile cohesive. For cocktails, three strong options stand out: a Gin & Tonic with a Mediterranean-style tonic water, where the orange peel and quinine create a layered bittersweet balance; a Bee's Knees, where honey syrup amplifies the gin's candied citrus character while softening its herbal edge; and a White Negroni, where the bright orange profile replaces the need for a heavy sweet vermouth, keeping the drink lighter and more aromatic.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who already owns a classic London Dry
• Warm-weather entertaining where citrus-driven cocktails anchor the menu
• Expanding a home bar with a distinctive botanical gin outside the usual British producers
• Pairing experiments at a dinner party featuring seafood or Asian-inspired dishes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Drumshanbo California Orange taste like? It leads with juicy orange slices and citrus oil, layered over herbal spice from gunpowder green tea and a backbone of classic juniper. The finish is smooth and refreshing, with lingering orange zest and dried herbs.

How does Drumshanbo California Orange compare to Hendrick's Gin? Hendrick's leans on cucumber and rose petal for its signature floral-vegetal character, while Drumshanbo California Orange is citrus-dominant with a green tea undercurrent that gives it a more exotic, spice-driven profile. Both sit at similar ABVs and price tiers but occupy very different flavor lanes within the contemporary gin category.

Is Drumshanbo California Orange good for cocktails? Its pronounced orange peel character and 43% ABV give it enough intensity to hold up in mixed drinks without disappearing behind other ingredients. It works especially well in citrus-forward cocktails like the Bee's Knees or a classic Gin & Tonic.

Where is Drumshanbo California Orange made? It is distilled at The Shed Distillery in the town of Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, in the rural northwest of Ireland. The California orange peel is sourced from the United States and incorporated during the distillation process.

What foods pair well with Drumshanbo California Orange? Grilled prawns or shrimp complement the citrus oils directly; seared duck breast with orange glaze mirrors the gin's dominant fruit note; Thai green curry plays off the makrut lime and green tea botanicals; a fresh goat cheese salad with citrus vinaigrette echoes the brightness; and dark chocolate with candied orange peel draws out the finish's sweet-herbal character.

What sizes does Drumshanbo California Orange come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Drumshanbo California Orange worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium gin, sitting above well-level London Drys but below ultra-premium small-batch releases. Its Platinum Award at the 2023 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge and its distinctive botanical blend — particularly the California orange and gunpowder green tea combination — offer genuine differentiation that justifies its price tier.

Why Drumshanbo California Orange?

What separates this expression from the crowded flavored-gin market is the way it integrates California orange peel into a genuinely complex botanical recipe rather than simply adding citrus flavoring after distillation. The slow distillation in medieval-style copper pot stills at The Shed Distillery extracts depth from the gunpowder green tea and makrut lime, creating a foundation that the orange lifts rather than masks. Its 2023 Platinum Award from the San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge confirms that the execution matches the ambition. For drinkers who find classic London Dry too austere but consider most citrus gins one-dimensional, this Irish-Californian hybrid occupies compelling middle ground.