Drumshanbo Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin 750ML

Drumshanbo Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin 750ML is a 43% ABV Irish gin infused with rare Sardinian Sa Pompìa citrus and slow-burned gunpowder tea. Spirits critic Christopher Null of Drinkhacker awarded it 95 points, calling attention to its distinctive citrus-forward profile. This limited botanical expression builds on The Shed Distillery's original Gunpowder Gin recipe by introducing Citrus Monstruosa — a knotty, thick-skinned fruit found almost exclusively on the island of Sardinia.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43% (86 proof)  |  Origin: County Leitrim, Ireland  |  Style: Botanical Gin  |  Distillery: The Shed Distillery

Production & Heritage

The Shed Distillery in the small town of Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, produces this gin on a 2,500-liter medieval-style copper pot still. The eight core botanicals — juniper, angelica root, orris root, caraway seed, coriander seed, meadowsweet, cardamom, and star anise — are distilled directly in the pot, while the gunpowder tea and fresh Sardinian citrus pass through a vapour basket to capture their more volatile aromatic compounds. After distillation, the spirit rests for 21 days before undergoing a very light cold filtration specifically designed to preserve the essential citrus oils in the final liquid, giving the gin its characteristic oily mouthfeel and lasting citrus impression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Orange-like peel opens the nose immediately, followed by black pepper, turned earth, and delicate tea leaf. The Sardinian citrus announces itself with a bright, almost candied intensity that distinguishes this from the original expression.

Taste: The palate enters with zesty lemon candy and grapefruit before transitioning into a weighty green tea character at mid-palate. Hefty juniper arrives alongside herbaceous tea notes, while gentle spice from the caraway and cardamom adds complexity. A spark of orange and grapefruit reasserts itself toward the peak.

Finish: Clean, dry, and lively, with a peppery close and earthy undertone. A lingering citrus oil impression coats the palate and holds for a notably long fade.

How to Drink Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin

Neat or over a single large ice cube, this gin rewards slow sipping — the 21-day rest and retained citrus oils create a textured mouthfeel that opens gradually. For a gin and tonic, pair it with a Mediterranean-style tonic and a thin slice of grapefruit to amplify the Sa Pompìa character. A Negroni benefits from the gin's earthy tea backbone, which stands up to sweet vermouth and Campari without losing its identity. A Bee's Knees works exceptionally well here, as the honey syrup bridges the gin's citrus intensity and peppery spice. A White Lady highlights the lemon candy notes and allows the gunpowder tea to play a supporting aromatic role alongside the Cointreau.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who already owns the standard expressions
• Building a gin tasting flight around citrus-forward profiles
• Cocktail experimentation with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients
• After-dinner sipping alongside citrus-based desserts

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin taste like? The dominant profile is a bold citrus character — grapefruit and candied lemon — layered over earthy gunpowder tea and peppery spice. Juniper remains present but shares the spotlight with the rare Sa Pompìa fruit.

How does Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin compare to The Botanist? The Botanist is similarly complex but leans toward pine, roots, and woody notes with a bigger, warmer finish. The Drumshanbo Sardinian Citrus expression is more citrus-driven with pronounced tea earthiness and a drier, more peppery close.

Is Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin good for cocktails? Its bold citrus oils, firm juniper structure, and 43% ABV give it enough weight to hold its own in stirred and shaken cocktails alike, particularly those calling for a citrus-forward gin.

Where is Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin made? It is distilled at The Shed Distillery in the town of Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, in the northwest midlands of Ireland. The Sardinian citrus fruit (Citrus Monstruosa, known locally as Sa Pompìa) is sourced from the island of Sardinia, Italy.

What foods pair well with Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin? Fresh oysters with a squeeze of lemon echo the gin's briny earthiness and citrus. Grilled prawns with chili and lime complement the peppery spice. Aged pecorino cheese mirrors the Sardinian provenance and pairs with the tea tannins. Lemon tart or grapefruit curd desserts amplify the citrus character. Smoked salmon works well against the juniper and earthy base notes.

What sizes does Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin worth the price? It positions as a premium expression within the Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin range, justified by the use of rare Sa Pompìa citrus, the 21-day resting period, and a 95-point critical score — placing it above many gins in its price tier for both sipping and cocktail use.

Why Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin?

The use of Citrus Monstruosa — a fruit so rare it grows almost nowhere outside Sardinia — separates this expression from the vast majority of citrus gins on the market that rely on common lemon, lime, or orange peel. The Shed Distillery's decision to rest the distillate for 21 days and apply only a very light cold filtration preserves essential citrus oils that most producers strip away, resulting in a noticeably richer texture. Christopher Null's 95-point score at Drinkhacker places it among the top-rated gins in recent years. For drinkers who appreciate the original Gunpowder Gin's gunpowder tea signature but want a bolder citrus dimension, the Sardinian Citrus bottling delivers exactly that shift without abandoning the earthy, spiced foundation that defined the range.