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Food and Drink

30th Oct 2018

GINFLUENCED: Ha’Penny Gin Captures The Essence Of Dublin In One Sip

Éadaoin Fitzmaurice

GINgle Bells, GINgle Bells, GINgle all the way!

Christmas is fast approaching and because it’s the season of giving and all that we want share with you the best thing you can give your Christmas party guests – A whopper G&T.

No, you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen trying to mix up some fancy cocktails. When you’ve got a premium gin the spirit does all the hard work for you because it’s already delish!

If it’s not broke don’t fix it and so on…

Nothing beats a fresh and full gin goblet. It’s easy to drink (a little too easy perhaps) and as a spirit it mixes well with Christmassy botanicals and flavours.

Hurrah!

This week for Ginfluenced, we’re heading over to Dublin’s fair city and one of it’s most iconic landmarks.

Say hello to Ha’Penny Gin!

Ha’Penny Gin was created to capture the flavours, the stories and the charm of Dublin.

It’s original and unforgettable.

The company stocks gin, rhubarb gin and Irish whiskey.

If you’ve been keeping up with this series you’ll know I’m usually a fan of the OG when it comes to gin, rather than a pink gin. However, rhubarb is one of my favourite flavours so I had to give this pink gin a go.

The Bottle:

The pink bottle has the exact same design as the original with much softer tones and colours.

A stunning light pink label covers the front of the bottle with an illustration of the iconic Ha’Penny Bridge to boarder the branding.

It’s a pretty simple looking bottle, nothing OTT, which I like.

It has a screw top which I do fear would be leaky, but only time will tell with that one.

Background:

Ha’Penny Gin was created by a team of craft enthusiasts from the Pearse Lyons Distillery, who were inspired by the iconic Ha’Penny Bridge which is recognised throughout the world as a symbol of the charming and charismatic city of Dublin.

The company aimed to create a spirit that would capture the warm, witty and welcoming essence of Dublin. The Dublin Dry Gin is a small-batch, pot distilled spirit that uses locally inspired botanicals.

Botanicals:

  • Rhubarb
  • Juniper berries
  • Blackberries
  • Dandelion flowers
  • Lavender
  • Geranium
  • Orange peel
  • Lemon peel
  • Cracked black pepper
  • Anise
  • Angelica root
  • Liquorice Bark
  • Coriander
  • Cassia

On the nose:

Ha’penny is a well-rounded Gin with a slightly citrusy floral aroma and a lingering sweetness.

At first you’ll immediately smell the fresh rhubarb bouquet with discernible notes of juniper and citrus followed by subtle hints of botanical spice. Floral aromas with a hint of lavender to awaken the senses, while blackberry, lavender and orange peel leave the palate with a lingering sweetness

Straight:

It can be consumed neat with a drop of water but is best served with a slice of orange with premium tonic water.

Initially, you’ll taste the fresh rhubarb with a bright botanical mix, rounding to a pleasant classic resinous juniper forward Gin.

With Tonic:

With tonic you really can taste the lingering crisp and fresh rhubarb finish.

It’s a lovely sweet flavour but it still carries the usual bitter, botanical flavours we so greatly love in gin.

Signature Christmas Serve:

  • 35.5ml Ha’Penny Rhubarb Gin
  • Schweppes 1783 Tonic Water
  • A Wedge of Orange
  • Star Anise
  • Ice

Where To Find It:

A 70cl bottle of Ha’Penny gin costs €46.50.

You’ll find it in the Celtic Whiskey Shop, Donnybrook Fair, Dunnes Stores, L Mulligan Whiskey Shop, Tesco, Wine Wells and in gin joints and restaurants across the country.

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