Spirits raised as Armagh marks Bramley apples

Symphonia Gin, created by Dr Ulrich Dyer three years ago, has just moved into a new purpose-built distillery in Moy in nearby Tyrone.

Since winning the 2019 Irish Gin ‘Champion of Champions’ sales of the company’s two handcrafted gins have been on a steady upwards trajectory, according to Ulrich,

a chemist and former Harvard academic who spent most of his career in pharmaceuticals.

“It’s now feels like the right time for us to move on to the new facility from the converted garage where I first launched the business,” he explains.

“We have already started moving into our new state-of-the-art facility and the team is excited about the possibilities this new location offers us,” he adds.

Ulrich created a novel Apple Gin from Bramley apples, which have EU protection, sourced locally in neighbouring Co Armagh and blended the juice with the traditional juniper and different floral and herbal ingredients to create what he describes as “a refreshing fruit gin”. Both varieties of gin are handmade in small batches to recipes created by Ulrich.

The Bramley is high in malic acid and low in sugar, its unique flavour assures its position as the king of culinary apples. Ulrich founded Woodlab Distillery in Benburb, literally Laboratory in the Woods because of its rural location and use science to get the best from nature. All his gins showcase local ingredients and a unique distillation process that preserves delicate flavours. 

“I just had to produce an apple gin because of where I live, here on the border of Tyrone and Armagh,” he continues. “I wanted to capture the crisp tart taste of a green apple not the sweet taste of a dessert apple. I achieved this by using the juice of Bramley apples which have a perfect balance of sugar and acid. Juniper and crisp apple don’t sound as if they should work on paper but in the glass they combine beautifully.”

Launched in 2018 Symphonia Apple gin has been awarded three internationally recognised awards including two stars in the Great Taste Awards.  The innovative tipple was also finalist in the Irish Gin Awards for flavoured gin, picking up a bronze medal, and most recently receiving another bronze medal at the prestigious World Gin Awards 2020.

The Bramley will be celebrated with other apples at Armagh’s Food and Cider weekend later in the month. The festival features an exciting programme of events including cider tastings, orchard tours and farm-to-fork treats. The focus will be on apples, top class cider and local quality cuisine and will take place from Thursday, September 24 until Sunday 27.

Already six years old, this annual weekend in one of this Island’s top foodie destinations and provides a perfect pairing of gastronomic delights and cidery experiences.

A gourmet weekend, the event is led by some of the area’s best known local chefs, including Ireland’s Hotel Head Chef of the Year, John Whyte, from Armagh City Hotel, and Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars Catering, Simon Dougan, Yellow Door Deli, Joyce Brownless, Blackwell House and Fiona and Rory Chapman from On the Hoof as well as a legion of local food producers who have worked creatively together to produce a unique menu of food events that combine tradition and contemporary taste.

Tours of Armagh’s famed apple orchards accompanied by exclusive tastings and talks with global cider expert and author Gabe Cook and a scrumptious five-course feast curated by Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars’ Catering at the stunning Crannagael House.

Among cider producers taking part in the tours is Long Meadow in Loughgall, a multi-award winner. Long Meadow will be hosting a series of events including an orchard tour with an opportunity to learn how to pick apples and see them being used to produce the family company’s multi-award winning cider and the apple cider vinegar preferred by leading chefs.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Kevin Savage, says: “Enriched by a beautiful landscape and a welcome that will warm your heart, Armagh is the perfect location to celebrate this year’s harvest and the quality, heritage and experience we have producing the best food and drink available anywhere in the world.” 

Supported by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the weekend includes many of the area’s leading visitor venues.

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