Special Report
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‘There is a sense of theatre in a glass. You garnish it with half your garden’

Gary McLoughlin, Glendalough Distillery

Gary McLoughlin, marketing director, Glendalough Distillery.
Gary McLoughlin, marketing director, Glendalough Distillery.

“We have seen craft culture emerge in recent years. It started with beer and now we are seeing it in spirits. People like supporting local products. It’s also a highly social drink. Even when you’re drinking solo, it’s very much a social drink and there are lots of WhatsApp gin groups and people are taking part in online tastings. During Covid, cocktailing at home became a trend. And with gin it’s easy to replicate what you get in a bar. There is a sense of theatre in a glass. It’s not just a gin with some tonic and a slice of lemon in a tall glass. You garnish it with half your garden in a goblet.”

Barry McCall

Barry McCall is a contributor to The Irish Times