Intro: A book you can drink (almost)
Some gins flex juniper like it’s a megaphone. Wilde Irish Gin plays a quieter tune—more lyric than loud—where citrus, flowers, and clean grain do the talking. Distilled in West Cork, it’s a modern Irish gin with old-school craft: copper pot stills, careful infusion, and a texture that feels more like a polished cocktail than a base spirit. If you love Martinis or bright G&Ts, this one practically stages its own garnish.
“Wilde lands like a line of poetry—citrus first, heather in bloom, then a calm, confident finish.”
The story in a glass
Launched in 2021 by co-founders Stuart Hall and Conor Quinn, the brand nods to the wit and elegance of Oscar Wilde while staying laser-focused on flavor in the glass. Production is Irish through and through: 100% local grain for the neutral base, West Cork provenance, and a house style that leans floral-citrus with a soft juniper core.
How Wilde is made (and why it tastes so clean)
Wilde’s production reads like a masterclass in restraint and precision:
- Cold infusion, long and gentle: Botanicals are submerged for 16–18 hours in neutral spirit before distillation. That slow maceration pulls aromatic oils without extracting harshness.
- Copper-pot distillation: The infused spirit is distilled in a single copper pot still, which shapes weight and texture while keeping flavors vivid.
- Spring water charge: The base is blended with local spring water to “charge” the still—one more quiet nod to mouthfeel and purity.
- Non-chill filtered: Wilde doesn’t chill-filter, so you keep the botanical oils that add silkiness and a natural “bloom.” It may pearlesce/cloud over ice—that’s quality, not a flaw.
About the botanicals
The house talks about a proprietary blend of 11 botanicals, but they do name-check two signatures: wild mountain purple heather and bitter orange peel. Several retailers also list supporting players like whole limes, chamomile, juniper, angelica, orris, coriander leaf, licorice, red grapefruit, and sweet orange—a floral-citrus chorus with juniper in harmony rather than shouting lead.
Why we carry it
Because it’s the kind of gin that makes people lean in after the first sip. Wilde shows what careful extraction and copper-pot distillation can do: bright citrus, real flowers, clean grain, and a finish that’s polished but not precious. It’s versatile—martinis, G&Ts, spritzes, sours—and it keeps showing up in staff picks because it’s as delicious neat as it is mixed. When someone says “I want a gin that tastes elegant,” we pull this off the shelf.
What’s on our shelf: Wilde Irish Gin
Profile at a glance: opening floral notes, then whole-fruit citrus (think limes, sweet and bitter orange), and a measured juniper line. The finish is long, subtle, and surprisingly smooth for a 47% base spirit—the texture is part of the charm.
Why it works in cocktails: the cold-infusion oils and non-chill-filtered approach give you weight without heaviness; citrus pops, florals stay lifted, and the grain reads clean. Great in a 50/50 Martini, superb in a tall G&T with a wedge of lime and an orange twist.
Quick FAQs
Where is it made?
West Cork, Ireland. The brand’s production and bottling are rooted there.
What’s the ABV?
47% ABV (94 proof). If you see lower numbers online, that’s likely retailer error or regional variance; the brand positions it at 47%.
Will it cloud over ice?
Yes, and that’s a good sign. Wilde is non-chill filtered to keep botanical oils; a pearlescent haze over ice or with tonic is natural.
What botanicals are in it?
The recipe is proprietary (11 total), but wild mountain heather and bitter orange peel are confirmed; several retailers list complementary citrus, floral, and classic gin roots and seeds.
What does it taste like?
Brand notes: bold citrus & floral nose, chamomile + heather mid-palate, and a long, subtle finish—“imbibed more like a clarified cocktail than a 47% base spirit.”
One easy cocktail: The Wilde 50/50
Keep it minimalist and let the texture sing.
You’ll need
- 1½ oz Wilde Irish Gin
- 1½ oz dry vermouth (quality matters)
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Lemon peel + thin orange twist (expressed)
Build it
- Stir gin, vermouth, and bitters with plenty of ice until very cold.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora.
- Express lemon peel over the top, discard; add a thin orange twist for aroma.
Why it works
Wilde’s floral-citrus profile meshes with vermouth’s herbs; the orange bitters and twist echo the bitter orange peel in the gin. Silky, aromatic, and refreshingly low-effort. (Expect a light opalescent sheen from those preserved botanical oils—chef’s kiss.)
Final thoughts
Wilde Irish Gin is for people who like their spirits to whisper and linger, not bulldoze. It’s floral without being perfumy, citrusy without turning sour, and structured enough to anchor a Martini while still feather-light in a G&T. If you’re curious, come taste it with us. We’ll pour a splash, talk garnish strategy, and send you home with a bottle that turns “just a gin” into a little ritual.
