My wife and I were delighted to have a visit from a family member from Donaghadee in Co Down Northern Ireland just prior to Christmas. We were even more delighted when she presented us with a gift of some of the expressions made by her local distillery – The Copeland Distillery.
For those who have not had the pleasure of visiting the Ards Peninsula I can highly recommend the area, as a holiday destination with wonderful seascapes. The area is also well known for the fabulous seafood in the area – Strangford Lough prawns being my wife’s favourite. My wife has visited the area since she was a child as her family were born and bred in Donaghadee and would regularly spend summer holidays playing on the beach, climbing up to the Moat and generally having real old fashioned fun. Donaghadee has a very picturesque harbour with a lovely lighthouse which she insists on walking around every time we visits.
The Copeland Distillery is based in Manor Street in Donaghadee and has been established since 2019 and produces Irish and Navy Gin, a Rum range, Irish Vodka, Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur and a new range of Single Malt and post-still Whiskey. Local fruits and botanicals from County Down are used in the production of the spirits. My understanding is that concept/idea for a distillery started as part of a college module for owner and founder Gareth Irvine.
In case anyone wonders where the Copeland Islands are, they are the islands that you see from the harbour and Donaghadee seafront. Apparently in the day, they were used as a Viking trading post and have been utilised over the years by smugglers sneaking alcohol into Northern Ireland, but what is less attractive is that they have been the cause of many shipwrecks.
So now I have given you a wee background to my association with this lovely part of the world. We will taste a Rum, Gin and a Blended Whiskey from this relatively new distillery.
Let’s have a couple of drams from this Irish Distillery.
Up first, is the Copeland Irish Gin.
Copeland Irish Gin – 45% Alc/vol 70cl.
Colour… Crystal clear
Nose… Aromatic, forrest/fresh pine notes walking passed a florist’s open door
Taste…Loads of juniper, a puff of white pepper, mild spices with a kick of a citrus burst at the end
Finish…Medium to long, elegant and well balanced
This would make a delightful long gin and tonic on a hot summer’s day. My perfect way to savour this award winning gin would be looking out from the Ards Peninsula to the Irish Sea, sun beating down and nibbling on perfect Strangford Lough prawns. Heaven. The RRP is £30.99.
Second dram is the Smugglers Reserve Rum.
Smugglers Reserve Rum – 40% Alc/vol 70cl
Colour…Oaked chardonnay.
Nose… Elegant, mild sweet spices with a hint of gingerbread.
Taste… On the palate, quite luxurious, banana and coconut with rum & raisin ice cream. Rich and complex, vanilla and caramel.
Finish…A medium velvety finish, sweet spices lingering.
This rum is a blend of rum from Barbados and rum distilled at the Copeland Distillery. Maturation was a combination of Kentucky Bourbon barrels and a mixture of French Pinot Noir and Bourbon quarter casks. This drink reminds me of windy nights when you are in need of a familiar comforting drink to sip. It has all those familiar flavours from old fashioned home baking involving ginger, cinnamon and pineapples. I really like the coating it leaves on your lips, which you keep licking.
And we finish this tasting with the Irish Blended Whiskey
Copeland Merchants Quay Blended Irish Whiskey – Aged for a minimum of 5 Years, 40% Alc/vol 70cl
Colour… Straw, muted yellow
Nose…Peeled nectarines, raspberries, toffee, hint of oak like pencil shavings.
Taste…Full of orchard fruits, mild spices, cinnamon, vanilla, coconut and the sweetness of demerara sugar.
Finish…Medium finish where the wood and mild spices are in charge.
This fine dram only requires a eardrop of water which helps opening it up.
This dram would be ideal for a cocktail, especially an old fashioned. When wonderful aperitif. This surprisingly grand dram is non chilled-filtered with a natural colour and retails at £30.99.
Now that was a really enjoyable tasting, especially as it was a surprise. Please check out Copeland Distillery for their full range of award winning spirits which are available online and with many online specialists,
We will certainly visit this Distillery on our next trip to Donaghadee. Look out for reviews of this Irish Distillery.
