From ‘Gunpowder’ to ‘Sausage Tree’: The Shed Distillery launches super-premium new vodka
On a quest to create 'nature's purest tasting vodka', the latest invention from the 'curious mind of PJ Rigney' led him to wildest Africa where he discovered the Kigelia africana or 'Sausage Tree'
Print20 March 2018
Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka launched over the weekend at the world’s leading international trade fair for wine and spirits, at Prowein in Düsseldorf, Germany.
This is the second big brand from The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, following on from the success of the now iconic Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, launched just under two years ago.
The super-premium vodka will also be distributed in Ireland by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits (which PJ co-owns with managing director John Dillon). According to the brand, the retail price will reflect the vodka’s superior quality and unique 43% strength, at between €44 and €49 in the Irish market.
Nature’s purest
Reflecting its superior quality and unique 43% strength, Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka will retail at between €44 and €49 in the Irish market
This latest development from the ‘Curious Mind of PJ Rigney’ saw him embark on a quest to create ‘nature’s purest tasting vodka’, leading him to wildest Africa where he discovered the Kigelia africana or ‘Sausage Tree’.
Known for its curative and purifying powers, just like the wild Irish nettle in the Drumshanbo woodlands, Rigney brought the two together back in The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim and slow-distilled them by hand with Irish grain.
And so, Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka was born. Every bottle of which will be slow distilled by hand, carefully hand-bottled, sealed and labelled at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim.
The bottle has been designed to invite consumers on “an unforgettable journey of discovery” – the unique deep red glass bears curious markings and the impactful label proclaims that ‘Nature has no place for the weak’.
22 additional jobs
The launch spells further good news for Ireland’s Northwest with the announcement that together with the opening of The Shed’s new Visitor Experience next year, an additional 22 jobs will be created at the Drumshanbo distillery.
From just two employees when The Shed first opened in December 2014, there are now 18 full-time employees (many of whom were previously long-term unemployed, some for as long as eight years). The new jobs will bring the total number of employees to at least 40 in 2019.
The Shed Distillery
Founded in 2014 The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney is the first distillery in Connacht for 101 years. Its first brand, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, was launched to market in April 2016. Slow-distilled by hand with oriental botanicals and gunpowder tea, the super-premium gin is widely available in the United States, the UK, Russia, Israel, Australia, Benelux, France and across leading markets in Europe.
The prestige of the brand was celebrated in Washington last week when it was chosen to feature at The Ambassador’s Patrick’s Day reception, served to 600 dignitaries and special guests including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
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