As gin drinkers become much more knowledgeable about the category they continue to seek innovation therein and vintners should therefore regard having a wide variety of gins available as key to successful gin sales this Summer.

The 30 ,0000 sq ft Hinch Distillery , located between Belfast and Ballynahinch , will produce the Hinch Irish whiskey and Ninth Wave Irish Gin brands. Taste wise, let’s head in neat first. The nose has the soft citrus from the coriander and orange, a little sweetness from the pot still, and the warm spiciness from the cassia, grains of paradise and the well handled cardamom (not too much, not too little) sits right at the tip.The distillery is more than a functional part of the business. It was created to play a role in NI’s hospitality and tourism sector by offering tours, a new space for private events including weddings, as well as serving food at its brasserie restaurant. Mr Flaherty says: “Ninth Wave Gin is inspired by our fascination with Irish mythology, the mystical ‘Otherworld’ and its links to the sea which surrounds us. Our Irish gin has a bottle design, in ocean blue glass, incorporating the symbolism of the Celtic Triskellion (triple spiral) which adorns many ancient monuments throughout the island. Foraging wild plants sustainably from the mountains to come up with gorgeous flavours and aromas, Glendalough Gin offers up truly Irish flavours using Irish botanicals. The recipe for Ninth Wave Irish Gin was conceived by Hinch Distillery Chairman Dr Terry Cross OBE and his team.

But looking to the present, good weather tends to lift sales of those drinks well-suited to outdoor consumption so gin should benefit from these Summer months when many spirits drinkers tend to favour lighter choices like Gin & Tonics.Named after the Gaelic meaning for the local village of Crossgar, husband and wife team Fiona and David Boyd-Armstrong have created a spirit to be proud of, firmly placing Ireland on the gin world stage. Taking its name from the nearby town of Ballynahinch, the Hinch Distilleryis based on the Killaney Estate in County Down. It has only recently opened but already boasts an extensive range of whisky, as well as Ninth Wave Gin. The business, which is the brainchild of Dr Terry Cross OBE, has a 10-strong portfolio of whiskeys, including one variety that marries with local craft beer breweries to produce an exclusive limited edition Hinch Craft & Casks selection. The distillery also produces Wild Atlantic Irish Vodka, a small batch, premium vodka hand-crafted with real Amalfi Lemons, and is continuing the tradition of craft whiskey distilling in Ireland with a limited number of 188 casks of exceptional spirit.