Minke Irish Gin, Clonakilty Distillery 43.2%

Description

Minke Irish Gin is handcrafted by the Clonakilty Distillery in County Cork, Ireland. It is based on whey spirit, which gives a unique velvety texture and mouthfeel, and is flavoured with various botanicals, including locally foraged samphire. This and Minke Irish Vodka are available at Fareham Wine Cellar.

Minke Irish Gin Production

This coastal-influenced gin features a unique botanical, rock samphire (also known as sea fennel), hand-foraged sustainably from local cliffs when in season. This lends the gin some slightly salty character and fennel nuances. This is a citrus-forward gin with a crisp, dry nose and flavour profile.

The base spirit is derived from whey, sourced from the family’s farm near Galley Head Lighthouse, giving the gin a distinctive, smooth and velvety mouthfeel. The gin is distilled in copper pot stills.

Minke Irish Gin Botanicals

• Juniper Berries
• Cardamon
• Coriander Seed
• Rock Samphire
• Lavender
• Mixed Citrus Peels – Orange, Lemon, Lime and Pink Grapefruit
• Sea Salt
• Red Peppercorn

The fresh citrus peel and Rock Samphire are distilled separately from the other botanicals to harness the freshness in season.

Clonakilty Distillery: The Atlantic Distillery

The Clonakilty Distillery is located in West Cork, on Ireland’s southwest coast, near the Atlantic Ocean. This proximity imparts a unique maritime character to the ageing whiskies.

The distillery was founded by Michael Scully, whose family has farmed the same land for nine consecutive generations. He believed the best Irish whiskey could be improved and set out to produce the finest spirit possible. This process begins with carefully selecting a heritage strain of barley, grown on their farm where the salty air infuses every grain. They also drilled their own well into the local rock to access the purest, cleanest spring water. This is a true “grain-to-glass” Irish distillery.

Whiskies, Vodka & Gin

Clonakilty Distillery produces a wide range of whiskies, including blended, grain, single pot still, and single malt varieties. Renowned for their innovative cask finishing, they utilise ex-Port wine, Ale, Stout, and Bordeaux wine casks to enhance their whiskies. The distillery has collaborated with various breweries in the USA and Ireland to create bespoke limited edition cask-finished whiskies and also produces the acclaimed Minke Irish Vodka and a Sloe Gin.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation

This excellent Irish Gin is inspired by the Minke whales swimming off the rugged Atlantic coast near the distillery, hence the whale tail on the label; Clonakilty Distillery is also a proud sponsor of Whale and Dolphin Conservation.