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Gin and Whiskey in the catch.
And his amazing tour!
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| Enjoying Gallagher's event with John and Valerie Power (on the left) |
If you want to talk to John Power about his favourite whiskey then just mention Beara Black Cask Blend Whiskey.
John selected the casks at the Great Northern Distillery. ”Our Black Cask Blend Whiskey is finished in Beara with the infusion of clear spring waters from the Caha Mountains that divide the peninsula and separate Cork and Kerry, before being carefully bottled.
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| Spirits of Beara |
Beara Irish Whiskey is a unique blend of single malt and extra char cask-finished single-grain Irish Whiskeys. Hearty pot still notes with some spice and a hint of melon & ginger. Full-bodied with soft delicate sherry undertones, and toasted wood, perfectly balanced with fruit, spice and some chocolate notes.
It can best be enjoyed neat, with ice or with just a splash of water to open up the rich malt and toasted oak flavours.”
He didn't mention cocktails but they were all the go on the day last August that I first met John and his wife Valerie. We were in Gallagher’s Gastro Pub in Cork’s MacCurtain Street for an event that was part of the highly successful Cork on Fork Food Festival.
The Beara-Ly Standing cocktail (above), made with Beara Black Cask Whiskey, lemon, red berry sherbet, egg white, crushed almond, and meringue, was the perfect sweet ending to a lovely afternoon at the annual Cork on a Fork Festival. It was paired with a Lemon Gin infused polenta, mascarpone honey glaze roasted almonds, and mixed berries, creating a truly decadent and delicious experience.
More recently, I asked John if there was something unique about his spirits?
“In our gins, we use Sugar kelp seaweed from our shores, Fuchsia buds from the hedgerows of Beara and Atlantic Salt water from the Beara Atlantic coastal waters. Our whiskeys are finished at our Distillery where they are cut using spring water from The Caha Mountains.”
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| US visitors enjoying the loft experience |
Black Cask is John's favourite whiskey and his favourite gin is Beara Ocean Gin Original. And that gin featured in another cocktail at the Gallagher’s event. Unusual Abundance was the name: Beara Ocean Gin, sugar kelp, nettle and lime cordial, and honey.
Gallagher’s came up trumps when they matched this with a really amazing and well-named Salmon Sensation, a delicious combo of Lemon & Lime Beara Gin Cured Salmon, poached cherry tomatoes, sesame seeds, garlic basil, apple celeriac remoulade, samphire and nori seaweed foam. Every bit on the plate played a role; the salmon itself was memorable and those tomatoes were something else.
John, as can guess, just loves his home place. “We are inspired by our place, the beautiful Beara Peninsula and we want to portray our area in our spirits. We are Origin Green approved and make every effort to recycle our packaging etc.”
Power and his team really enjoy bringing their spirits to you but now people are coming to Beara to enjoy them in their "native" environment. Tours of the Fisherman’s Loft are turning out to be quite an attraction for visitors from near and far.
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| The welcome from John is a hearty one! |
Fisherman’s Loft? You may well ask. Like many a man from the Beara Peninsula, John has been a fisherman himself but there is a disappointment in his voice when he confesses that some time back, he saw little future in the industry and so, in 2017, set out on the spirits trail.
As part of the visitor attraction, he hit on the idea of a small museum where he has gathered many items associated with the local fishing industry and has presented them in an unfussy way in the loft. So add those artefacts, the whiskey and John’s good humour and wit and you are on the way to a very enjoyable evening indeed.
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| Just one stop on the beautiful Ring of Beara |
Here’s an invite from John: Join us for a tour of our quaint distillery and tasting experience in our Fisherman's Loft. As you taste our award-winning gin and whiskey, complimented by Lorge's luxurious chocolate, let us transport you to a world where tradition, passion and maritime allure converge in every sip.
As you enter our tasting room, you'll be greeted by a captivating ambience, adorned with rustic maritime artifacts that tell the tales of this coastal region. The weathered wood, fishing nets and nautical curiosities create an atmosphere that takes you to a bygone era, where the sea and the land intertwine in harmony.
Currently, tours are available on Friday evenings. The tour is wheelchair accessible and given in English. More details(and bookings) here.
Previous Brewery / Distillery / Meadery posts:
Ballykilcavan The Taste of Laois in your glass.
9 White Deer At Home In Ballyvourney. And On The World Wide Web
Whitefield's Local Connections.
Wicklow Wolf ranges far and wide
Beara Distillery
Any craft drinks or food producer out there interested in a post like this, feel free to get in touch!
