Cork City newcomer Paladar is Bar of the Year!

 

2023 Bar of the Year Awards Winners Announced!

Paladar in Co. Cork was named Bar of the Year at this year's prestigious Bar of The Year Awards ceremony which took place in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road. Celebration time for Paladar and Cask

Amongst the galaxy of contenders, the most exceptional bars have been recognized and celebrated for their extraordinary contributions to the hospitality industry. These establishments have elevated the art of mixology, ambiance, and service, captivating patrons with unforgettable experiences.

After rigorous evaluation and deliberation by an esteemed panel of industry experts only the best in the industry were crowned winners. Amongst many other winners on the night, Bar No 23. at The Merrion Hotel in Co.Dublin took home Gold for "Five Star Hotel Bar of the Year" Sponsored by London Essence, while BAR 1661 took home Gold for "Innovative Bar of the Year", Sponsored by Istil 38.

The winners were announced on Monday, the 21st of August at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road. Montenotte's Ray Kelleher has an even bigger smile than usual!

Bar of the Year 2023 Winners

5 Star Hotel Bar of the Year Gold Winner - Bar No 23. at The Merrion Hotel, Co.Dublin Silver Winner - The Courtyard Bar at Carton House, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, Co.Kildare Bronze Winner - The Sidecar Bar at The Westbury, Co.Dublin Sponsored by London Essence Bar Food of the Year Gold Winner - Blake's Bar Galway, Co.Galway Silver Winner- The Blue Haven Kinsale, Co.Cork Bronze Winner - The Hideout, Co. Kildare Best Bar To Watch The Match Gold Winner - Woolshed Baa & Grill Cork, Co.Cork Silver Winner - Dignam’s Bar, Co. Monaghan Bronze Winner - Buskers On The Ball, Co. Dublin Sponsored by Sky Business Best Designed Bar / Inside Space Gold Winner - The Montenotte Hotel, Co. Cork Silver Winner - The Gables, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Paladar, Co. Cork Best Live Entertainment Bar Gold Winner - The Porter House, Co. Mayo Silver Winner - The Blue Haven Kinsale, Co. Cork Bronze Winner - O’Donoghue Public House, Co. Kerry Best Newcomer Gold Winner - Paladar, Co. Cork Silver Winner - Kodiak, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - The Gables, Co. Dublin Best Value Pub Gold Winner - Oasis Bar, Co. Donegal Silver Winner - The Black Forge Inn, Co. Dublin City Bar of the Year Gold Winner - Left Bank, Co. Kilkenny Silver Winner - Lemon & Duke, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - The Front Door Pub, Co. Galway Sponsored by Schweppes Cocktail Bar of the Year Gold Winner - BAR 1661, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Paladar, Co. Cork Bronze Winner - 9 Below, Co. Dublin Sponsored by Maker's Mark Craft Bar of the Year Gold Winner - Caribou, Co. Galway Silver Winner - Lock 13 Brewpub, Co. Kildare Bronze Winner - Impala, Co. Cork Gastro Bar of the Year Gold Winner - The Dew Drop Inn & Brewhouse, Co. Kildare Silver Winner - Monks, Co. Clare Bronze Winner - Russells Seafood Bar, Doolin, Co. Clare Sponsored by Classic Drinks Gin Bar of the Year Gold Winner - Andy’s Bar Monaghan, Co. Monaghan Silver Winner - Tigh Nora, Co. Galway Bronze Winner - HYDE Bar & Gin Parlour, Co. Galway Sponsored by Xin Gin Hotel Bar of the Year Gold Winner - HYDE Bar, Co. Galway Silver Winner - The Montenotte Hotel, Co. Cork Bronze Winner - Dunes Bar & Bistro at Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Co. Cork Sponsored by Tia Maria Innovative Bar of the Year Gold Winner - BAR 1661, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Nevins Newfield Inn, Co. Mayo Bronze Winner - Cask, Co. Cork Sponsored by Istil 38 Late Bar / Nightclub of the Year Gold Winner - 37 Dawson Street, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - r.i.o.t. Dublin, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - 1314 at Jerry Flannerys, Co. Limerick Local Bar of the Year Gold Winner - Dignam’s Bar, Co. Monaghan Silver Winner - Peadars Bar Moate, Co. Westmeath Bronze Winner - The Railway Tavern, Fahan, Co. Donegal Sponsored by New Payment Innovation Limited Outside Space of the Year Gold Winner - House Dublin, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Kenny’s of Lucan, Co. Dublin Bronze Winner - Nevins Newfield Inn, Co. Mayo Outstanding Customer Service Award Gold Winner - The Landmark, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Russell’s Saloon Gin Emporium, Co. Louth Bronze Winner - Harrigan’s Bar & Grill, Co. Kildare Sponsored by Cointreau Restaurant Bar of the Year Gold Winner - FIRE Steakhouse & Bar, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - The Club At Goffs, Co. Kildare Bronze Winner - Mama Yo, Co. Dublin Sponsored by Coole Swan Tourist Bar of the Year Gold Winner - The Brazen Head, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - The Locke, Co. Limerick Bronze Winner - Brass Fox Wicklow, Co. Wicklow Sponsored by QuickTips Traditional Bar of the Year Gold Winner - The Stag’s Head, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Gracie’s Bar, Co. Sligo Bronze Winner - The Brazen Head, Co. Dublin Visitor Attraction of the Year Gold Winner - Roe & Co Distillery, Co. Dublin Silver Winner - Lock 13 Brewpub, Co. Kildare Bronze Winner - The Black Forge Inn, Co. Dublin Sponsored by Excel Recruitment Whiskey Bar Of The Year Gold Winner - The Shelbourne Bar Cork, Co. Cork Silver Winner - Sonny Molloy’s Irish Whiskey Bar, Co. Galway Bronze Winner - Costigan’s Pub, Co. Cork Sponsored by Roe & Co Pub Group of the Year Gold Winner - Nola Clan Sponsored by Alliance Ireland Staff Personality of the Year Ian Murray Bar Manager of the Year Conor Moloney People's Choice Award Dublin - The Black Forge, Co.Dublin Leinster - The Hideout, Co.Kildare Munster - The Locke, Co.Limerick Connacht / Ulster - McHughs Bar, Co.Leitrim Overall Winner - The Locke, Co.Limerick Judges Choice Winner - Jimmy Rabbittes Gail Cotter Special Recognition Award Winner - Mary Kerrigan, Clayton Hotel Burlington Road Bar of the Year Winner - Paladar Sponsored by Licensing World

Cork Whiskey Festival Launched At The Shelbourne Bar

Cork Whiskey Festival Launched

 At The Shelbourne Bar

Midleton Whiskey Ambassador Ger Garland at the launch.

“It is going to be the best Whiskey Festival in the country,” declared Laurie O’Dwyer at the launch of the Cork Whiskey Festival in the Shelbourne Bar last Thursday night.

Laurie, co-founder and co-director of the festival with his wife Sonya, has the credentials for running such a festival. His Whiskey Chats Podcast  is now up and around the 180th episode and provided “a really good network” to help get the Festival off the ground.

Laurie: Going to be the best! Pic via CWF.

“Thirty four events over three days will see the cream of the crop in  Cork. Over half the tickets have been sold, a big surprise to us at this stage. Now we’ll be putting a big push on to make it a sellout and make it the best festival in the country.”

Laurie had a big thank you for the evening’s host: “We couldn’t have done it without the Shelbourne Bar and Phillip. And of course Irish Malts and Midleton Distillers. major sponsors. Check it all out on the website".

The Shelbourne Bar is the official Social Hub and info point for Cork Whiskey Fest 2023. "Whenever you want to chill out, meet with new friends or catch up with old friends, The Shelbourne is where you will find your fellow festival attendees and our info desk."

Ger Garland

Ger Garland, Whiskey Ambassador for Midleton,  admitted to being amazed at the growth of the whiskey industry in Ireland. “When I started there were just 3 distillers, now there are 48.” And he had news from Midleton where a new distillery (representing an investment of around a quarter of a billion) will be ready for 2025, "totally carbon neutral". 

He is looking forward to the festival: “The Cork Whiskey Festival will give you a glimpse of both the newcomers to the business along with the more well established….. Tastings will be great whether you are a novice or more experienced!”

Ger of course will be working at the festival as indeed he had some work to do on the launch night, guiding us through a tasting of Jameson Black Barrel and a Redbreast 12,  a couple of Midleton’s well-known spirits. We didn’t really need any guidance for our intro drink, a classic Jameson and Ginger serve in a tall glass with a user friendly grip!

Laurie

Jameson were, of course, based in Dublin but became part of the Irish Distillers in Midleton when the few remaining distilleries came together for survival’s sake in the 1966. 

The Black Barrel is a step up on the basic Jameson and quite an economical one too, an all round whiskey. Ger filled us in on the story of the Black Barrel and  the “alligator”. The barrels in which it is matured get a second char, a deep one that “cracks open the barrel and leaves marks like an alligator skin, very black of course and that led to the name".

Enjoying the craic with Oisin Davis (r) of Great Irish Beverages 

Redbreast too has a long history, going back to 1912 and the Redbreast 12 is the biggest seller of Irish premium whiskey in the world. Ger: "It has been on the market since 1912 and the ruby hue is due to the sherry influence (raised in Oloroso barrels). It smell is wonderfully evocative, like Christmas cake in a glass, full bodied, buttery, spicy, sweet and fruity and with that soft warming effect.”

Lovely on a cold February night! And I left the Shelbourne with a warm glow, hoping that the third weekend in March will be a few degrees warmer!

* In the meantime, get your tickets at the website.

PADDY Irish Whiskey releases new premium blend ‘PADDY’S SHARE’ at The Shelbourne Bar.

 PADDY Irish Whiskey releases new premium blend

 ‘PADDY’S SHARE’ at The Shelbourne Bar

A big welcome for Paddy's Share at The Shelbourne!

PADDY Irish Whiskey has unveiled the latest addition to its award-winning range of whiskeys, PADDY’S SHARE. A triple-distilled premium blend Irish Whiskey, PADDY’S SHARE was created to capture an extraordinary moment in time with its bold charred wood character and nutty distinctiveness that will inspire whiskey enthusiasts and dabblers alike. 

PADDY’S SHARE was officially launched within its county of origin, nestled in the heart of Cork’s famed Victorian Quarter, in The Shelbourne Bar.  The PADDY’S SHARE Trinity Tasting, led by George Roberts, was an immersive experience for guests as they soaked up the history and culture of PADDY Irish Whiskey and sampled a selection of the brand’s award-winning whiskeys including new addition to the family, PADDY’S SHARE.

George Roberts and Siobhan Costello of Hi-Spirits. And Paddy, of course!

Commenting on the launch, George Roberts, Country Manager for Hi-Spirits Ireland said, 

“We are thrilled to introduce PADDY’S SHARE to the Irish market. The premium Irish Whiskey sector has grown by 2.2% from 2019 to 2020 and is expected to continue. PADDY’S SHARE brings a new flavour to the table with its mild and distinctively nutty charred wood character of pot still, grain and malt.”

“We are delighted to have such an esteemed group of Irish Whiskey lovers here with us. Tastings are such a vital part of the Irish Whiskey community, and as we all share a dram here tonight, we can see the inspiration behind this release as we celebrate in the true gregarious fashion of Paddy Flaherty, the man himself.”

PADDY’S SHARE is available now in Ireland and can be purchased through hotels, bars and specialist independent retailers nationwide.

For further information follow PADDY @PaddyWhiskeyIreland on Instagram and @PaddyIrishWhiskeyIreland on Facebook.

(press release above)

****

Rory McGee, the wizard behind the bar at The Shelbourne.

Very enjoyable session in MacCurtain Street on Tuesday night. The Shelbourne was buzzing and greeted us with platefuls of tasty canapés and behind the bar their ace

Rory McGee kept the whiskey, the cocktails and the Beamish flowing. Great to meet Rory. Johnnie, from The Sky and The Ground in Wexford, who knows his whiskey well, was just the man to have at your table.

George Roberts had an enviable task in making himself heard but no better man to explain the Paddy Trinity. Haven't had the original Paddy in quite a while but enjoyed making its acquaintance again, starting with those spicy and honeyed aromas.

Next up was the Paddy Centenary, issued in 2013. This special once-off release was introduced to celebrate 100 years of the famous brand, with the packaging, recipe and even spelling harking back to the time when Paddy Flaherty was selling Cork Distillers' whisky around the country. Quite a treat then on a Tuesday night!

And then came the new one, the Paddy's Share. I found myself making friends straightaway with this easy-drinking blend of pot still, grain and malt. It is triple distilled in Midleton and matured in sherry barrels. ABV is 47%. Perfectly balanced with a smooth slightly sweet palate and a lingering finish.

Sazerac, a privately held American company, has owned the Paddy brand since 2016 when it was purchased from Irish Distillers. It is still produced at the Midleton distillery and is currently the fourth largest selling Irish whiskey in the world.

Pictured at the event are Rory Mcgee and Philip Gillivan, both of The Shelbourne with George Roberts, Country Manager, Hi-Spirits.