Gunpowder Gin launches exclusive ‘panda conservation edition’ bottle at Dublin Airport

Cabin crew from Hainan Airlines join Ling-Ling Sun (ARI), Dr YuPeng (Elye Distribution) Pat Rigney (Gunpowder Gin) and Damien Smith (ARI) to ring in the Lunar New Year with new the new Panda Conservation edition of Gunpowder Gin (Photo: Stephen Doyle Vision Media)
To celebrate a decade of distilling Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin has signed an historic agreement with the Sichuan Green Foundation Giant Panda National Park in China, to champion the welfare of the Giant Panda.
The donation will be generated from the sales of the new Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Panda Conservation Bottle, which was exclusively unveiled at Dublin Airport Duty Free during rapturous Chinese New Year celebrations.
The donation from the family-run Shed Distillery will go directly to the Giant Panda National Park Public Welfare Fund to support the local indigenous people who take care of the Pandas. The welfare of these communities is an integral part of China’s Giant Panda Conservation programme, where residents are now identified as ‘Panda Guardians’.
Pat and Denise Rigney, who founded the family-run Shed Distillery travelled to Chengdu to sign the donation agreement at the foundation in person last November.
Located deep in the Sichuan mountains, the Giant Panda National Park ( 大熊猫国家公园 in Chinese) is home to the largest Giant panda population in the world, stretching 27,134 km² across the Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu Provinces and is one of China’s richest ecosystems.
Other globally endangered animals living in the reserve include the red panda, the golden monkey, the snow leopard and the clouded leopard. Established in 2021, the reserve protects and preserves the Giant Panda’s natural habitat and has succeeded in bringing the species back from the verge of extinction.
Pat Rigney, founder, The Shed Distillery, said: “Passengers got a wonderful surprise at the Chinese New Year celebrations at Dublin Airport this morning, especially the Beijing flight. We are particularly happy that all funds we donate will go directly to the team at the nature reserve, all of whom come from the local, rural communities that intersect with the giant panda’s habitat.”
Damien Smith, buyer (ARI), said: “We are delighted to partner with Drumshanbo on this first-to-market launch here at Dublin Airport Duty Free, which also coincides with our fantastic Chinese New Year celebrations in-store. This is testament to our commitment to offering truly unique products combined with joyful customer experiences.”
Zhou Zhigang, secretary general, The Sichuan Green Foundation, Chengdu, said: “In November 2023 Pat and Denise Rigney travelled thousands of miles from Ireland to Chengdu to sign a donation agreement at the foundation in person. We felt true respect & support for the natural environment and the Giant Panda cause in China.
“As a national treasure of China, the Giant Panda is a flagship species for global biodiversity conservation as well as a symbol of the friendship between China & Ireland. The conservation work requires significant funds and manpower. Like a timely rain, the donation from Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin has injected strong motivation into our work. We will employ these funds to help the surrounding community develop green industries and improve the living standards of residents to support the special harmonious existence between human beings and nature.”
Dr YuPeng Liu, chairman, Industry and Commerce Association of Ireland, said: “It was perfectly timed to coincide with the Chinese New Year in 2025. Congratulations to Pat Rigney and the entire team on the launch of this exquisite Panda porcelain bottle, another great creation from Pat, We are proud to support Irish businesses as they transition their brands into the vibrant Chinese market. We are thrilled to represent our member, Pat Rigney of the Shed Distillery, as he embarks on this exciting journey.”
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, the first-ever brand from The Shed Distillery, which celebrates ten years of distilling this year, began its journey in China where PJ Rigney discovered gunpowder tea, the first of 12 botanicals that would make-up the final recipe for the leading Irish gin brand, which is now selling in over 100 countries across the world, and launched in China last year.