Cape Clear - 3 Sq. Miles - 40%
Cape Clear is an iconic island of the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region) located off the southwest coast of County Cork in Ireland. With its 130 year-round inhabitants and a school hosting seven students, this close-knit community gave birth to an ambitious project: the creation of an artisanal distillery. This project, driven by the islanders themselves, aimed not only to boost the local economy by providing jobs on site but also to showcase the island's natural wealth and offer a promising future to the younger generations. The distillery obtained its building permit in 2016, marking the beginning of an exciting adventure.
As is often the case in the world of whisky, the approach began with the production of a gin to perfect distillation techniques. After nearly a year of intensive development, in collaboration with the inhabitants and experts from the mainland, the recipe was carefully crafted and optimized. The Gin 3 Sq. Miles thus came to life and was first marketed in November 2019. Since then, the distillery has become a place of innovation and active production, strengthening the island's reputation through unique and high-quality spirits.
This exceptional gin is handcrafted in small batches with particular attention to local ingredients: it notably includes Laminaria digitata, a brown seaweed typical of the region, as well as fuchsia and honeysuckle harvested directly on the island. This local sourcing gives Gin 3 Sq. Miles its unique aromatic profile, blending marine freshness with subtle floral notes, a true reflection of the island terroir.
