Innovative Smoky Gin from Killarney's Wayward Irish Spirits. "..new take on an old spirit".

 Innovative Smoky Gin from Killarney's Wayward Spirits

Wayward Smoky Gin 39% ABV, 700ml bottle

You've got to hand it to Killarney's Wayward Irish Spirits. Already recognised and respected for their whiskey, both the Liberator series and their very own Lakeview Estate, they now have a gin to offer. Not just any old gin but a smoky one! The smoke comes from it being finished in a peated whiskey cask!

There's a lot of history behind the O'Connell family, after all the Liberator Daniel O'Connell (who gave the British a hard non-violent time of it) was one of the ancestors. He, and his followers, were called the wayward Irish by British premier Robert Peel. Maurice and wife Francesca, are behind the current Liberator enterprise.

Maurice, a direct ancestor of Daniel's, likes to think that the relationship "gives us a license to do things in a different way,”  One of these "different ways" includes ageing this gin in an ex peated whiskey cask at the O’Connell ancestral home in County Kerry for a subtle but unique smoky character.  

Maurice says: "As far as I can discover, it’s the first time this has been done in Ireland or UK. (There may be a good reason for this that we haven’t yet worked out!). It’s very ‘Marmite’ with people either loving it or refusing to try it..." 

Smoke is there for sure but as a smooth team player rather than a disruptive influence. The essential juniper is the captain of the ensemble, as should always be the case. As they say themselves "Peat, used subtly, can act like salt on your food, elevating the other elements." 

And the outcome, in this very first batch, is really excellent with a deep long finish. Some gins are very upfront at the beginning but lack the staying power of the Wayward Smoky.

Wayward are very happy with this new product: "We don’t do ‘me too’ - this is a genuinely new take on an old spirit and leverages off the cask finishing and blending skills we apply to our whiskey making." 

I'm sipping this one neat from the fridge as Wayward suggest. They also suggest using it with a splash of tonic and an olive - I may get around to that later on!

#waywardgin #pushingtheboundaries.  @waywardirishspirits