Fermanagh distillery unveils limited-edition gin inspired by Irish folklore
Enniskillen-based Boatyard Distillery has launched its Summer Solstice Gin, blending traditional botanicals with rare Irish apple ice wine to celebrate the longest day of the year
Enniskillen’s Boatyard Distillery, the producer of a multi-award-winning double gin and Irish vodka, has introduced a limited edition gin to
celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year.
Inspired by folklore at a time of year where the human and fairy worlds magically move closer, Boatyard, created by industry veteran Joe McGirr, is an unique creation from a leading producer of gins.
Joe, the chairman of the successful business, says: “In Irish history this solstice would often be celebrated by fires on the highest point of land, with the ashes being scattered on their pastures to wish for a bounty harvest. It is fires and fairies that lead our artistic inspiration in this gin being created.
“Inspired by those midsummer nights, we created Summer Solstice Gin, a limited edition release distilled in Fermanagh and finished with Rare Apple Ice Wine from Killahora in Cork.”
The blending of Killahora Rare Apple Ice Wine marks an important collaboration between two independent Irish producers.
“The gin itself is a refreshing summer styled gin for the traditional gin lover. Notes of juniper and apple are intertwined with background hedgerow flavours. Picture summer hedgerow strolls and berries picked along the way,” he explains.
Overlooking picturesque Lough Erne, Boatyard also distils an award-winning vodka and is finishing its first Irish whiskey in Fermanagh in over a century.
The distillery recently expanded into the vibrant market for spirits in India, focusing on leading bars, restaurants, and hotels in key centres such as Mumbai, Delhi, Goa and Karnataka.
Boatyard Distillery’s products are part of a broader push by UK beverage companies into India, following a new trade agreement between the two countries. Boatyard’s management recognise how important it is to build relationships in export markets like India.
“Growing export sales is something that really takes time, and you’ve got to build up a rapport and relationships. India is very relationship focused,” adds Joe.