Spots Star At Cork Whiskey Festival.

Spots Star At Cork Whiskey Fest

Taking us to the high Spots at Gallaghers is Midleton Whiskey Ambassador Ger Garland

I met three of the Spots at the inaugural Cork Whiskey Festival, all part of a stellar masterclass in Gallaghers Gastro Pub where Midleton Legend Ger Garland and Brand Ambassador Matthew Smith guided us through the selection along with  some of their finishing wines.

My conclusion? That Green Spot is amiable, ideal for chillout moments if rather innocent and playful (a morning sip said Matthew). Yellow is more grown up, a little edgier (just a tad). Red is smoother, more sophisticated. By the way, if someone said to me "you can have the Green only" I would not be at all disappointed. 

And that 12-year old sherry turned out to be an unexpected favourite! Perhaps not that unexpected as Lustau is my favourite sherry.

The line-up at Gallaghers

The story of the Spots began under the hustle and bustle of cobbled Dublin streets in the early 1900s where a single pot still Irish whiskey brand was quietly making a name for itself. The first of the branded spots didn’t appear until the 1920s.

Mitchell & Son matured their whiskey in casks in a network of underground cellars. When the fortified wine casks were filled (exclusively with new make spirit from Bow St. Distillery) and brought back to Mitchells, they were marked with a daub or ‘spot’ of paint which identified how long they would be matured for. Blue for 7 years, green for 10 years, yellow for 12 years and red for 15 years – hence the name Spot Whiskey.

Matthew

These along with the Green Spot Wine Geese series as well as limited editions such as Gold Spot make up the full selection of Spot Whiskeys. At Gallagher, we enjoyed the Green, the Yellow and the Red.

Back in the days when distillers sold barrels of whiskey direct to customers who finished them in their own way, there was a lot of variation in the market, according to Matthew.

The bonding business thrived for decades but was on the way out in the 1960s when the few remaining distilleries, consolidated in Midleton as Irish Distillers, refused to continue the supply barrels. But, as often happens in Ireland (and presumably elsewhere), someone knew someone and through that insider track, Mitchell had their supply continued.

While sherry and fortified wines are often quoted as being the difference makers in the Spots, credit is not always given to the influence of the Spanish oak in which these wines have been matured. This oak (from Galicia), Matthew told us, is spicier, drier and with more astringency, than other oaks.

And there are also different influences as we move from Spot to Spot though all are Pot Still. The first difference is ABV: 40% for Green, 46% for Yellow and Red. The second is age, 10 years for Green, 12 for Yellow and 15 for Red. All are matured in Bourbon and Sherry casks but there is a third cask used in the case of Yellow (Malaga wine) and Red (Marsala wine from Sicily). All these factors add to the variety in Irish whiskey even if Spot, though well-loved, is not a large share of the overall market here. Prices too go up as you move from Green to Red!

Ger 

Green Spot with its light and delicate nose and flavours and silky mouthfeel is, like all the Spots, produced in Midleton. It weighs in at 40% ABV but the Cask Strength version, that we also tasted, has a hefty 59.1%. Ger said it is quite potent and hinted that you may need to add a drop of water!

Ger was very much taken with the 12-year old sherry and so was I. “Amazing with Gubbeen smoked cheese or their smoked sausage,” he advised. “With its nutty nose and rich flavours, it is a nice interlude on our whiskey journey today.”

Now we were on to Yellow Spot. Matthew: “Moving to a sweeter basis. The 12-year statement on the bottle means that the youngest whiskey in the product is 12 years old, it will also contain older.” He indicated that those with a sweet tooth will prefer the Yellow over the Green. And Ger confirmed that the Malaga wine is very sweet and syrupy, a dessert wine.

Matthew enthused over the Red saying it was fantastic,  with that dessert wine influence now from the Marsala "..darker.. more complex…sweeter..” For me though, it was also smoother than the Yellow. 

While Ger was enthusiastic about the Marsala, I didn’t really fancy it on its own - it was also part of the tasting. But it certainly seemed to do the trick with the Red Spot.

Time now to leave the packed room and head out into the city rain and prepare for another day on the whiskey trail tomorrow. And the good news, after a hugely successful opening night and a string of well attended events on the first day, that insiders are already forecasting that the Festival will be back again next year.

Like to know more about the Spot Series? Then please click here.  

And Single Pot Still? Single Pot Still whiskey is unique to Ireland in general and is regarded as the quintessential style of Irish whiskey. Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills, Pot Still whiskeys are characterised by full, complex flavours and a wonderful, creamy mouthfeel. In order words, your Spots are very good to begin with.

Dingle Drive. Slea Head, Clogher Head, Ceann Sibeál. Sunny. Windy.

Heading for the great outdoors? Why not take this Dingle drive? 

Including Slea Head, Clogher Head, and Ceann Sibeál.

By all means, visit and linger at Slea Head. You may even take time out to climb the hill alongside and that will open out even more splendid views. Don't worry too much about the weather. It was very windy when we visited. Do wrap up well and don't do anything silly near the water.

After Slea, head for Clogher and climb to the top for a magnificent 360 degree view. It is not the easiest of walks but not that tough either. But good footwear is essential, as there are quite a lot of muddy patches and standing water around and you'll need all the support you can carry, including a walking stick.

Slea Head.

On Clogher, looking inland

Slea Head, from the roadway.

Sybil, from Clogher

The Three Sisters From Clogher.

Sybil, from Clogher

Heading towards the top of Clogher

Slea Head

Taken from Clogher

Looking inland from Clogher

The dead man or the sleeping giant. Inis Tuaisceart taken from Clogher. 

While shooting the waves at Slea Head last week, I happened to get this shot. The bird was walking quickly up and down the rocks near the wall of the road down to the sand. Not very well up on seabirds but, thanks to @RichardTMills, I now know it is a Ruddy Turnstone. The Turnstone is a highly migratory bird, travels the world, flying thousands of miles.

Two Highly Recommended Wines for you, a Barbera from Italy and a Vermentino from Languedoc-Roussillon.

Two Highly Recommended Wines for you, a Barbera from Italy and a Vermentino from Languedoc-Roussillon.

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Valle Unite Montale Barbera Colli Tortonesi (DO) 2013, 14% 

RRP & stockists: €23.95, Le Caveau Kilkenny, 64 Wine, Greenman Wines, Bradleys Cork

While Nebbiolo may be the star (think Barolo!),  Barbera  is the popular everyday red wine grape in Piedmont; those wines from Asti and Alba are probably the best-known of the varietal. With high acidity and alcohol, low tannin and sweetness, Barbera is approachable and affordable. This particular Barbera has the advantage of being organic. 

Colour is a mid ruby, somewhat lighter around the edge. This may be of the 2013 vintage but the nose is fresh and complex, its ripe cherries hinting at youth rather than age. And that complexity is striking on the palate as is the typical acidity. Smooth and well balanced right to the end, some grip still there though as it lingers long. Dry in the end and very satisfactory indeed.

Pasta, veal, pork, and game are the regularly suggested pairings. Wine Folly say roasted and vegetable-driven dishes while Wine-Searcher goes for Seared rabbit livers, Thai duck noodle soup, and Roasted, herb-crusted lamb rack. I think the lamb would be my first port of call!

They also produce an excellent white. Recent review here.

Highly Recommended.

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Click here for growing list of top wines for 2023

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Domaine Bassac Le Vermentino du Grand Mur Nos Parcelles Côtes de Thongue 2021, 14% ABV 

A wine new to Mary Pawle list, expect to pay €20 to 21. Contact: Mary Pawle Wines 

Vermentino is mostly a grape of the Mediterranean coast, grown mostly in Italy (all over the country but most notably in Sardinia and Tuscany) and France (widely in the Languedoc-Roussillon and also in Provence). Expect citrus (lemon, lime), apples and a lively acidity. Best drunk when young.

Our wine here, part of which has been barrel fermented, comes from Languedoc-Roussillon, from the Côtes de Thongue. The vineyard is situated at Puisalicon, a small medieval village in the heart of the Languedoc not too far from Beziers, a town that rugby fans will be familiar with. Domaine Bassac is a family estate of several generations standing and much of its wine is exported. Pioneers in organic farming, current operators François Delhon (family member) and Jean-Philippe Léca have been doing it organically since 1987.

The colour is quite a light straw, shimmering bright in the glass. Light fruity and herbal notes in the aromatics. Good firm fruit flavours follow, citrus mostly with hints of tropical, and also the expected (but certainly not over the top) acidity that ensures balance.

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This dry and fruity wine should pair well with pasta, vegetarian dishes, poultry, lean fish, and also as an aperitif. 

Highly Recommended

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Click here for Good Value Wine List 2023

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Spring down the Rabbit Hole this Easter on a Mad Hatter themed stay at Cork’s Imperial Hotel

press release

Spring down the Rabbit Hole this Easter on a

Mad Hatter themed stay at Cork’s Imperial Hotel

Jamie-Leigh Fallon from the Imperial in the role of Mad Hatter Pic by Louis Tang

~Treat some bunny special to a fantasy inspired break inspired by the Mad Hatter available to book now until 16^th April~

Cork’s Imperial Hotel is transporting guests to Wonderland this Easter with their latest innovative offering inspired by the beloved and zany Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s novel ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Affectionately known as Cork’s Grande Dame, the Imperial is Cork’s most historic hotel, located on Cork’s South Mall, right in the heart of the city. While steeped in over 200 years of history the Imperial is synonymous with creative flair and exudes a fun-loving personality which not only makes every stay unique but keeps guests anticipating what sensational offering could be coming next! This Easter guests are invited to ‘spring’ down the rabbit hole and journey into Wonderland.

Following on from the recent ‘Queen of Hearts’ inspired décor the hotel team has devised a brand new ‘Mad Hatter’ inspired display in the hotel’s iconic lobby which features top hats and wonderland flourishes tumbling in topsy turvy fashion from the high vaulted ceiling overhead. The hotel has also collaborated with talented milliner Tina Coyne from Elizabeth Christina Design in Kinsale to curate a hat and head wear showcase in true ‘Mad Hatter’ fashion!

Search for the white rabbit and his signature pocket watch which may be hiding amongst the impressive floral displays festooned throughout the hotel’s ground floor. Take pause to puzzle out a riddle or two at the impressive photo-wall which is designed for any would be ‘Mad Hatters’ to strike a pose at during their stay.

Little bottles labelled ‘Eat me’ and ‘Drink me’ playfully invite you to sample delicious food and drinks with a mad hatter twist! Join in the slightly bonkers fun of a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with a themed afternoon tea prepared by the hotel’s talented pastry team.  Savoury treats to look forward to include; a hot cross chocolate bun, buttermilk scone with cream and jam, cream cheese and cucumber finger sandwiches, egg mayonnaise on a brioche bun, mushroom pâté on brown bread, bacon jam and cheddar on brown bread. Sweet confections will include: ‘Grow me Shrink me Shroom’ choux bun filled with vanilla ganache, blackberry gel on a pistachio sablé biscuit, ‘Always Time for Tea’ spiced biscuit and a ‘White Rabbit’ carrot cake.

You’ll smile like a Cheshire cat upon sampling the ‘Mad Hatter’ signature cocktail which has been devised using local ingredients and Irish spirits for your delectation at No. 76, the trendy bar within the hotel and available to accentuate your meal at the elegant ‘Sketch’ dining space.

The hotel was recently awarded supreme winner at the Hotel and Catering Gold Awards in recognition of their superb standard of hospitality, heartfelt commitment to sustainable business and constant  strive towards innovation.

Don’t be late for this important date! The Mad Hatter themed package at the Imperial Hotel is available for bookings now until 16^th April and includes an overnight stay for 2 people with afternoon tea, cocktails and a birdcage sharing platter to share plus breakfast included starts from €160 per person or you can also add a couples spa treatment from Escape Spa at the Imperial for extra indulgence.

See www.imperialhotelcork.com/madhatter.html for more. To make a booking email reservations@imperialhotelcork.ie or call 021 4274040. 

Paradiso Cork Celebrates Spring With New Six-Course Seasonal Menu

press release

Paradiso Cork Celebrates Spring 

With New Six-Course Seasonal Menu

Artichokes, from the spring menu at Paradiso 

When Denis Cotter opened Paradiso in Cork City in 1993, his mission was to create an exciting, modern, vegetable-based cuisine. Thirty years later, that vision lives on in the innovative seasonal menus created by Denis and his team.

Having recently transitioned to a six-course seasonal menu, the emphasis for spring is, as always at Paradiso, on rich, complex flavours with a focus on seasonal ingredients, delivering an exciting and pleasurable dining experience while putting vegetables front and centre.

Manager Dave O'Mahony

Manager Dave O’Mahony welcomes the launch of the spring menu saying, “Coming into spring, we are putting away the roots and tubers that have served us well over the long winter. The spring menu will focus on the early crop of asparagus from Gort-Na-Nain Vegetable Farm as well as nettles, wild garlic, artichokes and rhubarb. This is always an exciting time of year, but even more so this year as our new six-course menu format is the perfect way to showcase seasonal produce.”

Diners can expect dishes like asparagus, black garlic, preserved lemon and rosemary puree with viola and pan-roasted artichokes, nettle broth, lemon arancini, pine nut crumb and smoked tomato purée. Sample desserts include rhubarb semifreddo with ginger crumb and aged Coolea with stout toast and beetroot relish. 

The six-course spring costs €65 per person with optional wine pairing available for an additional €30 (€35 including an aperitif).

Paradiso is located at 16 Lancaster Quay, Cork City and is open 5pm — 10pm, Tues­day to Saturday. For more information and reservations, see www.paradiso.ie or call o21 4277 939.

Keep up to date with the latest news by following Paradiso on social @paradisocork

The splendid Ivy Restaurant at Killarney's Victoria Hotel

 The Ivy Restaurant at 

Killarney's Victoria Hotel

Goat cheese starter

The Ivy Restaurant at Killarney’s Victoria Hotel is a splendid place to dine. There’s a high degree of comfort and space, a friendly and courteous team, and the food (not to mention the drink) doesn’t disappoint either. We had dinner there recently and can give it a big thumbs up!

The Ivy by the way is the main restaurant of the lovely hotel on the Muckross Road but has its own entrance and exit to the car park. There was a very warm welcome and soon we were studying the menu while sipping one of the impressive ales from the Killarney Brewing Company as the fire glowed nearby. They have two fires in this ultra comfortable and rather elegant room.

Cod

They have quite a list of starters and “small bites”. I rarely turn down a dish when St Tola is listed and so I gave the nod to the Baked Goat Cheese Crostini (Warm St-Tola Goats Cheese, Toasted Garlic Croutes, Black Cherry Compote, Almonds, Balsamic Reduction) at 13 euro.

A terrific mix of flavoursome textures and colours and I was up and running. CL probably got one of the most colourful dishes in the place with the Melange of Melon, Strawberry & Orange Duo of Raspberry & Champagne Sorbet, Yogurt, Honey & Mint Dressing (€12). Something different, something delicious.

Colourful Starter

She followed up with the Pan-seared Kerry Coast Cod, Leek Fondue, Maple Glazed Beetroot, Chorizo Crumble Limoncello & Saffron Crēme (€25). Hard to beat that oozing freshness and flavour.

And no let down with my mains either, straight from the grill. It was the The Ivy Steak Sandwich, 6oz Sirloin Steak, Garlic Ciabatta, Dijon Mayo, Rocket Leaves, Crispy Dried Onions, Pepper Sauce & Fries (€ 20). A superb piece of meat enhanced by very appropriate accompaniments, all well cooked and so a well satisfied customer.

Steak sandwich

Could we manage dessert after all that? Well we’d share one, becoming the usual at this stage! They also have a list of desserts wines and drinks. With a full bar, you won’t go short and they offer wines from all over, cocktails galore, and the best of whiskeys and other spirits along with beers and non alcoholic options. The hotel itself is also spacious, comfortable an excellent as we found out over a two night stay. Hope to get a blog post on that up soon.

Rhubarb & Strawberry Crumble

Check out the full menus here.

Blarney Castle Gardens March 2023

Blarney Castle Gardens 

March 2023

Pics taken 22.03.23

Pics Taken 07.03.23

Bare arch in the Poison Garden

Budding

Ester Barrett's "Catch" looking well after a clean-up

Stone dead in the Poison Garden

One of the earliest tulips

That is a sculpture under the bridge!

View of the large walled garden. Glasshouses on the right, with orchards, mostly, to the left

MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2023 presents 20 new Bib Gourmand awards

MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2023  presents 20 new Bib Gourmand awards to restaurants offering great quality, great value cuisine.   Kinsale's St Francis Provisions is one of them!  Prior to the announcement of its MICHELIN Stars at the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony on Monday 27th March, the MICHELIN Guide is pleased to present the 20 restaurants which have been newly awarded a Bib Gourmand in its 2023 selection. Created in 1997, the Bib Gourmand award highlights restaurants within the MICHELIN Guide selection that stand out for their good quality, good value cooking. Bib Gourmand restaurants are much followed by those readers of the Guide who are seeking affordable meals out but don’t want to compromise on quality. The 20 new awards are spread throughout Great Britain & Ireland, with the South West leading the way when it comes to the number of new awards. Several pubs and brasseries feature in the selection, and there’s great representation when it comes to Mediterranean, European and Asian cuisines. Small plates and the concept of shared dining is also a particularly common theme. Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides commented: “With 20 new Bib Gourmand restaurants joining the 2023 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland, our inspectors have spotlighted establishments that stand out for their fine and generous cooking across a diverse range of styles; places that really deserve to be known by gourmets looking for their good quality, good value cooking. As chefs in Great Britain & Ireland face rising day-to-day costs – from the raw ingredients they purchase to the energy they use to keep their kitchens and restaurants running – it is heartening to see many of them also finding inventive ways to create affordable menus and keep costs down for their guests, while still offering creative and exciting culinary experiences.” In the South West, Bristol stands out for having three new Bib Gourmand awarded restaurants. Marmo is promoted to a Bib Gourmand, while the Blaise Inn and COR join the selection. Mediterranean vibes come courtesy of Marmo – an on-trend osteria-cum-wine-bar offering Italian dishes, accompanied by organic and biodynamic wines – and COR, which positions itself somewhere between a tapas bar and a buzzy restaurant. The Blaise Inn, meanwhile, is a traditional village pub, serving British classics with a modern twist. Somerset sees three new awards, with all three restaurants featuring in the Guide for the first time: The Chequers in Bath, the Queen of Cups in Glastonbury and Root Wells in Wells. Set amid smart Georgian terraces, The Chequers offers a choice of traditional pub dishes or more elaborate plates with international flavours, while former pub the Queen of Cups now houses a deliciously different restaurant serving colourful Mediterranean and Middle Eastern small plates. Root Wells also offers small plates – but this time vegetarian-led – as well as lovely views over the Cathedral. Still in the South West, this time in Devon, are two more new additions: Emilia in Ashburton and The Galley in Topsham. The name ‘Emilia’ refers to the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, which provides the influences at this classic osteria set within a former bank. The Galley provides a similarly cheery, welcoming feel – and it's cosy, rustic interior and appealing menu are the perfect fit for this delightful town. Further along the coast in the South East, Flint House in Brighton is promoted to become East Sussex’s newest Bib Gourmand restaurant. Appealing small plates with a European accent are served in a buzzy brasserie atmosphere, and the cocktail bar even comes with a terrace. London sees one promotion – Hām – and three new additions: Evernight, Plaza Khao Gaeng and The Pelican; all of which bring great diversity to the selection. Welcoming neighbourhood restaurant Hām serves assured yet unfussy Mediterranean dishes, as well as brunch until the early afternoon, while Evernight is a trendy take on an izakaya, where British produce is married with Japanese refinement. Plaza Khao Gaeng is set within the Arcade Food Hall and comes with a buzzy, vintage vibe; here the chef grows many of the Southeast Asian ingredients in a tropical greenhouse in Dorset, then turns them into punchy Southern Thai curries. The Pelican, meanwhile, keeps things more traditional: this big Victorian former boozer serves up satisfying pub food with a British heart. Moving up to the East Midlands, two new Bib Gourmands have been awarded. The Six Bells in Witham on the Hill in Lincolnshire has been promoted, while Kushi-Ya in Nottingham, joins the selection. Continuing further up the country to the North West, The Spärrows in Manchester has also been added to the Guide. The Six Bells is a bright, characterful spot which offers sophisticated dishes on its main menu, along with freshly cooked rotisserie chicken and pizzas from the wood-burning oven. Moving further afield, Kushi-Ya specialises in Japanese kushiyaki skewers cooked over a charcoal grill, while Eastern Europe is the focus at The Spärrows, with Poland and Russia leading the way. Wales’ new Bib Gourmand comes in the form of Yr Hen Printworks in Cardigan – another new addition to the Guide. A stone-built chapel and later, a printworks, it’s been lovingly restored and now houses this modern restaurant. Small plates are the order of the day and some of the meats come from their family farm; smoking and pickling are also a feature. Ireland also sees three new awards. In Belfast, Northern Ireland, EDŌ has been promoted, while Waterman features for the first time. In the Republic of Ireland Saint Francis Provisions also joins the Guide. A modish bistro in the heart of the city, EDŌ comes with a faux-industrial look and an international sharing menu, with many dishes cooked over wood. A bistro vibe is also found at Waterman, where unfussy modern dishes feature European flavours and Italy takes the lead. At the opposite end of the scale, the diminutive Saint Francis Provisions seats just 13; this endearing restaurant serves punchy, daily changing Mediterranean small plates, accompanied by all-natural wines. The list of new restaurants awarded a Bib Gourmand is available in the attached PDF and can also be found in the magazine section of the MICHELIN Guide website and mobile app. The full online listings for the 2023 Bib Gourmand awarded restaurants will be updated in the evening of 27th March, following the Great Britain & Ireland 2023 MICHELIN Guide Ceremony, when all of the new MICHELIN Stars, Green Stars and Special Awards will be announced.