In this edition of Five Questions, we caught up with spirits industry veteran Patrick “PJ” Rigney from Gunpowder Irish Gin.

The founder of The Shed Distillery, Rigney also enjoyed a long career working with brands such as Baileys and Irish Mist. In addition, he is the creator of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin for The Shed Distillery. This is a spirit that combines oriental botanicals with Irish ones for a unique flavor profile. 

Let’s get to it:

What was your gateway gin — the one that made you love gin?

For me it’s always been about the different flavours/aromas and what memories they evoke for me. Everywhere I travel, my wife Denise and I want to try the local spirits – and the foods too – and see where they take my mind. Inspiration is everywhere – all the botanicals we use in our Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, and its various editions have come about from the trips I have taken over the last three decades, and then I can bring them back to the Shed Distillery, where Head Distiller Brian Taft and I can experiment with recipes to see what works best to give that same refreshing exotic experience I had on my journeys.

What is your favorite part of the gin making process?

To be honest, to achieve the quality we want for Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, I need to be fully aware of every step of the process. The selection of the botanicals is key, then we need to get that balance just right with the recipe, and even down to the temperature, and cuts of the distillation process itself. We monitor every step personally – nothing is automated – and our team of distillers have all become experts in their craft having been trained by Brian Taft. My daughter Roisin is now part of the team too, so this love for the craft and passion for the quality is going to continue into the next generation.

What trends do you believe are forthcoming in the spirits industry?

I like to take the cues from the world around me as I work and travel. Rather than predicting a trend, I take it more as feeling what works to bring the excitement and curiosity and keeps people looking for what’s next. It’s in this way we were able to create the various editions of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, particularly in the new Italian Fig & Laurel Edition we have collaborated on with Bruno Vanzan in Italy. He works in a very similar way to me and the team at The Shed Distillery. Always moving, asking the right questions, and focus on the end results – with a keen attention to detail!

Other than your own brand, do you currently have a favorite spirit? 

It might be cheeky to say, but as much as Drumshanbo Gunpowder is absolutely flying it in the U.S. and beyond – we are now selling in over 100 markets, by the way – I have a really special place in my heart for Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. We have been distilling whiskey now for over ten years, and it’s a great sense of pride to see it being recognised for the passion & dedication to distilling a quality Irish Whiskey that is so wonderfully creamy and delicious, if I do say so myself. Winning Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition earlier this year was a real moment of achievement and pride for all of us at The Shed Distillery and the Drumshanbo Community.

Neat, rocks, or cocktail?

The beauty of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is that the balance between the exotic layers of fresh citrus, and the spicier oriental botanicals and gunpowder tea give a real versatility when you are making a drink. Regardless if you are a trained mixologist, or just making a few drinks at home to share with friends. Denise and I would be partial to a classic gin and tonic of a Friday evening, but a classic martini or negroni are also some of my favourites too. My new experiences working with world champion mixologist Bruno Vanzan have also opened my eyes to new possibilities of creative and elegant cocktail creations – its already sparking ideas as to what might be coming next from The Shed Distillery. Watch this space, as they say.

Read more: Five Questions with New Era’s Zane Brammell

About Five Questions

Five Questions is a series on Fredminnick.com in which professionals in the whiskey business offer insights into trends, favorite spirits and more.