October 2006 was the month Ulster Tatler celebrated its 40th birthday with a striking redesign. Here are some of the highlights from an iconic edition.
Category: featured-3
CELEBRATED BELFAST CHEF LAUNCHES DEBUT COOKBOOK
Award-winning chef and restauranteur Niall McKenna unveiled his debut cookbook at a launch party at Waterman House in Belfast’s bustling Cathedral Quarter.Featuring 140 recipes served over the last 20 years across Niall’s five restaurants, including iconic customer favourites from James Street, Hadskis and Waterman, the book – in its tongue-in-cheek title and throughout its 300 pages – asks one question:What’s it all About? A love letter to Belfast, the book heroes local produce from the best local suppliers and producers. Alongside mouth-watering photography of the much-loved dishes, the book features striking captures of iconic Belfast landmarks and showcases some of Niall and his wife Joanne’s amazing art collections that have been displayed in their restaurants over the last two decades.A testament to the admiration and respect Niall has gained throughout his career can be read in the foreword at the front of the new cookbook. Friend and chef Paul Rankin, whom Niall credits as being hugely influential in his career, describes Niall as ‘a shining light, always there, always cheery, always the hardest worker,heralding the cookbook as a ‘gift to all of us who love food and hospitality’. The high regard with which the Belfast chef is held was evident in the large numbers of peers, colleagues, friends and family that turned out to support the launch, including chefs Paul Rankin, Andy Rea, Paula McIntyre, Danny Millarand Chris McGowan.In an emotive Q&A with friend and food critic, Joris Minne, Niall spoke passionately about his love of Belfast, and that explained what the book is ‘all about’:“Hospitality, Belfast, restaurants, people I’ve worked with, chefs, front of house, suppliers, the whole picture – that’s what it’s all about.”Amongst the mouth-watering recipes featured are fan-favourites including dulse and clam chowder (James St), chili crab linguine (served inThe Bar & Grill at James Street SouthandWaterman for the last 12 years),honey madeleines (Waterman), and the hugely moreish Guinness Wheaten (James St & Waterman).This Saturday (12 October),Niall will host a special What’s it all about? cookery demo as part of Belfast Restaurant Week, when he will show guests how to make a selection of recipes from the book, including Guinness wheaten, Gin cured salmon, Ham hock, Mustard & Cabbage, followed by Madeleines, Chantilly cream and caramel sauce. Tickets cost £50 per person, and include a tasting plate and a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival. Limited tickets are available, fromWaterman.HouseIn the coming months, Niall will also host a series of immersive What’s it All About Cookery experiences, where people will join him to cook a selection of dishes from the book. What’s it all About Cookery Classes will also be available for individuals, businesses, and groups to book, or as gifts, with packages starting from £130 per person, including a copy of the book.What’s it All About? by Niall McKenna is out now. Priced £25, the cookbook is available to purchase at James Street and Waterman, and via the Waterman House website atwww.waterman.houseThe book will also be available from selected local stockists including the Belfast Welcome Centre, Born & Bred, Maven and JN Wines.
EZ Living Open New Store in Ballymena
Paulo and the Cool Crew were at the brand new EZ Living Interiors Store in Ballymena recently, to celebrate the grand opening, with exclusive offers, goodie bags and giveaways.
Visit your new local furniture shopping destination in Ballymena, located in Braidwater Retail Park. Get directions at ezlivinginteriors.co.uk/stores/braidwater-retail-park
MND Heroes and Lady Mary’s Trust Raise the Bar with Joint Fundraiser
The Motor Neurone Disease Association NI and Lady Mary Peters Trust are set to host a spectacular Gala Dinner, drawing inspiration from former British indoor high-jumper Debbie Marrs and World Police and Fire Games volunteer Raymond Hill. This charitable event, designed to raise essential funds for both organisations, will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at the elegant Magheramorne Estate near Larne.
Debbie Marrs, a former Mary Peters Trust athlete and the 1988 British Indoor High Jump Champion, was diagnosed with MDN in recent years. Last December, she raised £8,500 through an indoor triathlon event at Holywood’s Bannatyne Health Club. Excited about the upcoming Gala, Debbie said, “This event will significantly raise the profile of motor neurone disease in Northern Ireland and support people like myself and our families. My daughter Megan and I have benefited from Mary Peters Trust funding and I’m thrilled that the funds raised will be equally divided between those wonderful charities.”
Raymond Hill, a Larne local with a lifelong involvement in sports, was diagnosed with MND in May 2021. He has played a crucial role in organising the World Police and Fire Games and now serves as a committee member for the NI branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Raymond emphasised the importance of raising MDN awareness, stating “Our Magheramorne Estate event will support critical research and provide necessary assistance to those affected by MDN.”
The Gala Dinner will feature a reception, dinner, auction, guest speakers, and musical performances. Funds raised for MND will support specialist nurses, research bursaries, and various NI programs, including regional roadshows and support events for those impacted by MND. Similarly, funds for the Mary Peters Trust will aid young athletes in Northern Ireland, helping them access top facilities and coaching.
Lady Mary Peters expressed her enthusiasm for the event saying, “There is a natural synergy between our two charities, and I’m pleased that we’re coming together for this standout gala in the beautiful Magheramorne Estate. Raymond and Debbie are true inspirations, and we are grateful to Jane Allen and her team for their support.”
Tickets for the Gala Dinner are priced at £65 each or £600 for a table of ten. To book, contact Gillian Hetherington at gillian@marypeterstrust.org
Get Ready to Vote For Your High Street Hero
The Northern Ireland public is being encouraged to vote for their favourite local independent retailer and high street in the High Street Hero Awards which have been launched for 2024 at Parliament Buildings for Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald MLA.
Voting for High Street Heroes 2024 will run from Monday 1st July to Wednesday 31st July 2024. It is the perfect opportunity to recognise those independent retailers who are going above and beyond to serve the community and ensure that the local high street is still a thriving place to shop and socialise.
Whether your High Street Hero is your favourite butcher, baker or barista, they will all be celebrated in this showcase of the brilliant work of independent retailers.
Votes can be cast across 13 different categories with shoppers and customers asked to name their favourite convenience store, deli, butcher, off licence, among others.
A record 12,000 votes were cast last year to determine who was crowned Northern Ireland’s retail elite last year. The Co. Antrim town of Ballymoney was named High Street of the Year for 2023 in a tight race with Belfast’s Shankill Road and Newtownards.
Launching the awards for 2024, Paddy Doody, Vice Chair Retail NI, said: “Independent retail is the lifeblood of communities right across Northern Ireland and our annul High Street Heroes NI campaign represents the biggest celebration of our thriving local retail sector. Our awards are different – they are a public vote, with no judges and it is local consumers deciding who wins.
“We’re gearing up for another huge showcase event and a massive celebration of the individual businesses who are the beating heart of our many villages, towns and cities.
“The awards are open to local retailers right across Northern Ireland – Portaferry to Pomeroy, Newry to Newtownabbey and Strabane to Scarva and will identify this local independent retailers who are taking a lead. Whether it’s a local butcher that’s a cut above the restoration fashion retailer with exceptional style, it’s time to vote for your favourite now.”
Speaking at the launch of the awards, Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald MLA, said: “Independent retailers play a crucial role in their communities, supporting jobs and boosting the local economy and keeping high streets in their towns, villages and cities vibrant. I congratulate Retail NI on this excellent initiative to promote traders who are the heart of their communities and I encourage members of the public to nominate and vote for their local high street heroes.”
The hugely successful High Street Hero NI Awards is a joint initiative powered by Retail NI and supported National Lottery operator Allwyn, SSE Airtricity and Roam Local NI.
Allwyn’s Chief Executive Officer, Andria Vidler, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting High Street Heroes NI – highlighting, recognising and celebrating the huge contribution that independent retailers make to local high streets across Northern Ireland. Independent retail is, quite simply, the lifeblood of our local communities. And our 40,000+ retail partners who sell The National Lottery in their stores make a vital difference in helping raise an average of £4 million every day for National Lottery-funded projects.
“So, it means a great deal to me and everyone at Allwyn to be able to acknowledge all the hard work, passion and perseverance shown by every store. We wish every retailer the very best of luck and look forward to celebrating both the winners and nominees.”
Andrew Greer, General Manager of SSE Airtricity Northern Ireland, said: “For us a SSE Airtricity, supporting local communities is cornerstone to our mission. Retail NI’s annual High Street Hero Awards set a benchmark of excellence, celebrating the businesses and individuals who go above and beyond to serve their communities. We are delighted to be involved in this initiative.
“With over 300,000 domestic and business customers across Northern Ireland, our commitment to supporting local is important. Recently, SSE Airtricity launched a €5 million all-island Generation Green Community Fund with the aim of delivering meaningful community benefits. We encourage everyone to get nominating and look forward to showcasing the best that Northern Ireland has to offer on the high street.”
Andrew Bartlett, Founder of Roam Local NI, said: “Roam Local NI is delighted to support the High Street Heroes campaign for 2024. Celebrating local business is what we are all about, as showcasing the finest in independent retail means that everyone can avail of the best that Northern Ireland has to offer, the local high streets are kept thriving with footfall and people can make the most of the unique offerings and best deals on their doorstep.”
The 13 High Street Hero Award categories are:
- Best Butcher
- Best Coffee Shop
- Best Convenience Store
- Best Deli/Bakery
- Best Fashion Retailer
- Best Forecourt
- Best Generalist Retailer
- Best Healthcare Retailer
- High Street of the Year
- Best Homeware Retailer
- Best Off Licence
- Best Independent Retailer Employee
- Overall Independent Retailer
For more information, visit retailni.com.
Echlinville Distillery Launches Inaugural Single Estate Whiskey
The Echlinville Distillery (Northern Ireland) is launching Echlinville – The Beginning, the inaugural whiskey release from Ireland’s first Single Estate distillery.
Echlinville – The Beginning features two field-to-glass whiskeys distilled exclusively from barley grown, harvested and floor malted on the distillery farm. Every step of the production process – from mashing and fermenting the grains, to casking and maturing the spirit, to filling and labelling the bottles – has been completed on-site at the County Down distillery.
This complete Single Estate story makes Echlinvile – The Beginning unique among Irish whiskeys.
Single Pot Still and Single Malt
Echlinville – The Beginning featured a pair of exceptional seven-year-old double distilled Pot Still and Single Malt whiskeys. The two bottle release is limited to 750 sets in a stunning presentation box. It will be available from The Echlinville Distillery and selected retailers from 11am on Saturday 1st June priced £350 / €395. Purchases are limited to two per person.
Echlinville became the first Single Estate farm distillery in Ireland when it began production in 2013. It was one of the first in a new wave of distilleries that led the beginning of the Irish whiskey renaissance.
Speaking about the launch of Echlinville – The Beginning, The Echlinville Distillery owner, Shane Braniff, said: “This is a momentous day for everyone at Echlinville as we unveil our inaugural Echlinville Single Estate Whiskey release. A whiskey that is inherent to our land. A whisker’s that values provenance, community, tradition and authenticity.
“For more than a decade we have been on this journey to create whiskey that is rooted in this place we call home – the beautiful Ards Peninsula on the shores of Strangford Lough.
“Echlinville – The Beginning is a reflection of everything that is great about this small corner of Ireland – the fertile soil, temperate micro-climate, saline air and the people who crafted these whiskeys from the ground up.”
People, Place and Provenance
He continued: “The Ards Peninsula has long been regarded as one of the finest barley growing regions in Ireland. Local farmers would have historically supplied barley to Ards Maltings, which provided premium malt to some of the country’s biggest distilleries and breweries.
“The are has a proud, but sometimes forgotten, whiskey heritage. We are delighted to have revived lost traditions, restoring malting and distilling in the Ards Peninsula to create a whiskey that once again has a true sensitivity to the place where it is made.
“Echlinville Whiskey has provenance, character and flavour that can be found nowhere else. This is a unique place with unique people and unique spirit, and that is at the very heart of our Single Malt and Pot Still whiskeys.
“This release is in culmination of a decade of hard work, passion and perseverance by a dedicated team of people, unwavering in their commitment to conceive a spirit from the ground up, rooted in locality and crafted with patience and authenticity.
“We believe in doing things the right way, not the easy way. We floor malt our barley by hand, as our whiskey forefathers would have done. We distil slowly, maximising copper contact to achieve a balance between complex character and delicate flavour. We dunnage mature our whiskey the traditional way on an earthen floor. This approach earned us a reputation for excellence and the respect of our friends and colleagues within the Irish whiskey family. We look forward to sharing this milestone with them.”
Echlinville – The Beginning
Patiently curated from a batting of carefully selected seven to nine year old whiskeys distilled from barley grown, harvested and floor melted on the distillery farm.
Single Malt Still Whiskey – 7 Years Old – Double Distilled – Bourbon Cask
With classic Pot Still body and spice, Echlinville’s inaugural Pot Still release showcases the distillery character. Sweet vanilla cream soda, fresh kiwi, papaya fruits and fragrant pine notes with menthol, leading to toasted almonds, ginger and warming white pepper spice, perfectly balanced and enveloped in luxurious, mouth-coating Pot Still creaminess.
Single Malt Whiskey – 7 Years Old – Double Distilled – Bourbon Cask & Virgin American Oak Cask
Full-bodied and bold, the first Single Malt release speaks of Echlinville’s distillate and its origin. Soft orchard fruits, fresh citrus, herbal notes and wild meadow honey. Then citrus fruits, peach, blood orange, red berry, latter coffee, chocolate and salted almonds, giving way to a finish of cedar, clove, tobacco, ginger and cinnamon spice.
Echlinville – The Beginning will be available to purchase from The Echlinville Distillery and selected retailers including Celtic Whiskey Shop, James J. Fox Dublin, Carry Out Killarney, Green Acres of Wexford, Irish Malts and Weisshaus Shop.
For more information, visit: www.echlinville.com or follow @echlinville on social media.
Cinemagic Los Angeles Set to Inspire and Celebrate Young Talent
The award-winning Cinemagic Film and Television Festival for Young People announce Belfast City Airport, NI Connections and NI Bureau as sponsors of the annual Cinemagic Los Angeles Showcase being held on Friday 28th June at The Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows, Santa Monica.
500 invited guests from the world of film, TV, entertainment and business will watch the premier screening of Cinemagic’s latest short film production made in Los Angeles and Northern Ireland, empowering young people to unlock their creativity and build industry connections.
Cinemagic Los Angeles, now in its 15th year, profiles Cinemagic as a global player in the creative industries, nurtures young talent and highlights the organisation’s success stories internationally.
Cinemagic’s Los Angeles Showcase marks the culmination of a week-long programme for teenagers from Northern Ireland and Los Angeles who will benefit from exclusive talks taking place at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, as well as tours and masterclasses with top talent from major film and TV studios in the heart of American film industry.
The teenagers from 12 schools and colleges in Northern Ireland and Los Angeles will visit the iconic global media and entertainment company, Warner Bros. Discovery, Imagine Entertainment and hear from industry guest speakers who will share insights and experiences with them. Guests include Emmy-winning TV Producer Jillian King (Rachael, Red Table Talk) and James Longman, Executive Producer of the Late Late Show with James Corden.
Representing Belfast at Cinemagic Los Angeles will be 16 teenagers who are participants of IGNITE, an innovative youth leadership initiative established by Belfast City Airport, in partnership with Cinemagic, which aims to provide young people from all backgrounds with life-changing opportunities. To date, the programme has supported over 100 young people, developing their leadership skills and setting them up for future success. The young people will collaborate with participants from recent Cinemagic Los Angeles projects including the short film productions ‘Dream Notes’ made in partnership with Hawthorne School District and ‘Heaven and Earth’ made in partnership with Jordan High School, Watts. Participants had never engaged with film and the arts in this way before and all of their achievements will be celebrated during the week’s special events.
Cinemagic Los Angeles in partnership with Belfast City Airport is supported by NI Connections, Northern Ireland Bureau, The Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows, Santa Monica, The Maybourne Beverly Hills, BritWeek, ELMA, CIACLA, LMU.
Cinemagic CEO, Joan Burney Keatings MBE, commented: “We are incredibly proud to collaborate with so many incredible organisations from both Northern Ireland and Los Angeles. The shared ethos among everyone involved is a catalyst for Cinemagic to offer the highest quality opportunities for young people in the creative industries.”
Belfast City Airport, Chief People and Marketing Officer, Michele Hatfield, said: “At Belfast City Airport, we are passionate about building the workforce of tomorrow and championing young people to become future leaders. Through our IGNITE programme, the young people have already achieved great things and shown incredible potential. The Cinemagic Los Angeles Showcase is the perfect opportunity to reward their hard work and dedication and celebrate their successes.”
Head of NI Connections, Moira Loughran, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Cinemagic as sponsor of the Los Angeles Showcase as we see it as a fantastic opportunity to be able to both help and highlight the immense talent of our young people from Northern Ireland. It is an opportunity to make and build industry connections in the USA and for us at NI Connections, that is what we are passionate bout – making those connections and providing our diaspora with an opportunity to demonstrate the full potential of their talent and influence.”
Northern Ireland Bureau, Director Andrew Elliot, commented: “It’s such a pleasure to partner with Cinemagic Los Angeles, which is helping shape our future leaders; and providing them with the inspiration to be part of Northern Ireland’s flourishing Creative Industries.”
Photo Press Eye/Darren Kidd.
Two Belfast-based CIYMS Mini Rugby U11 Teams Win Top Standings
Young athletes from East Belfast’s CIYMS (Church of Ireland Young Men’s Society) Rugby Club’s mini section recently showcased their prowess at the renowned Tiger’s Challenge Rugby Festival, held in Minehead, West Somerset, taking home top honours in the U11 competition.
The tournament, which hosted 44 under 11 teams from across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, saw CIYMS emerge victorious with not one, but both of their teams, the CIYMS Sharks and CIYMS Bulls, winning top spot in their ‘winner’s groups’.
The journey to victory was marked by outstanding teamwork, determination and the support of the players’ families. A total of 25 boys, accompanied by their fathers, many of whom serves as coaches throughout their rugby journey, were part of the memorable final P7 rugby club tour.
Among the 44 teams vying for the top spots were four other mini sections in clubs from Northern Ireland: Ballyclare, Coleraine, Ballymena and Rainey (Magherafelt) Rugby Clubs.
Remarkably, Rainey and Coleraine shared top spot in the third winners group alongside the two CIYMS teams, a huge statement as to the quality of mini rugby in the province.
The tournament unfolded with both CIYMS teams navigating separate group stages, each facing three intense matches on the first day. Playing teams from South Weals, Warwickshire, Oxford, West Midlands and Gloucester, both squads advanced to the group made up of only first places, on the final day. Unfazed, they each then secured victories in all three of their final games.
On the final evening, a celebrity presentation ceremony was one of the highlights for the boys, who were cheered on by their NI peers with a resounding chorus of “Stand Up for the Ulster Men”.
Renowned rugby figure Martin Johnson CBE, a legend in the sport with a distinguished career representing England and Leicester, present the medals to the triumphant CIYMS teams.
Reflecting on the historic win, CIYMS U11 coach, Andrew Campbell, expressed immense pride. He said: “This is a phenomenal accomplishment for the boys in their primary seven year. Many of the players began their rugby journey at CIYMS in P1, turning up week in and week out to training and showing true dedication to reach this pinnacle.”
Andrew added: “The invaluable support from parents and sponsors, must be recognised in this victory. Their contributions played a vital role in the teams’ success.”
Among the sponsors are DCS, Lonsdale Capital Partners, ASAP, PDK Partners, Lowe Refrigeration, Hutchison White Ltd and Bywater Properties.
The Tiger’s Challenge Rugby Festival, hailed as the ultimate UK rugby tour, provides a platform for young athletes to showcase their talent and sportsmanship. Staged exclusively at Butlin’s Bognor Regis (West Sussex) and Butlin’s Minehead (Somerset), over 5000 future stars of the game participated in the 2024 edition.
Fellow coach Gareth Rea, added: “CIYMS Rugby Club extends its gratitude to the tournament organisers, sponsors and supporters for their unwavering encouragement and commitment to mini rugby development. The triumph at the Tiger’s Challenge Rugby Festival is the conclusion of a lot of hard work and support from many parties. Congratulations to our teams for putting the hard work in.”
Musgrave Park Hospital Prize Distribution Ceremony
Pictured in our September 1972 issue of Ulster Tatler, at the Musgrave Park Hospital Prize Distribution Ceremony, are some of the nurses who received their certificates at the presentation.
Total Bull at Balmoral Show 2024
Enjoy this sneak peek into some of the photos from the 155th Balmoral Show!
To see more photos from the event, check out the June issue of Ulster Tatler.
Little Amal’s Visit to Belfast (18th – 19th May)
On Saturday 18th May, the May Queen procession will take place in Belfast city centre, from 12.30pm, followed by Lord Mayor’s Day celebrations at City Hall.
Little Amal will lead a colourful parade of wildlife, flowers and nature, leaving from Writer’s Square and making her way via Donegall and Bridge Street, towards Donegall Place and City Hall.
At the front of City Hall, she will be greeted by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, for an afternoon of free family activities as part of our Lord Mayor’s Day celebrations.
At City Hall, Little Amal will take part in a special performance piece at 2.30pm, based on Gulliver’s Travels, and featuring magic, circus and music.
Then, later that evening, Little Amal will step through the wardrobe with Lucy and Mr Tumnus for Amal in Narnia, a family-friendly outdoor show based on the classic C.S Lewis novel.
This show will run from 7pm to 8pm at C.S. Lewis Square, near Holywood Arches, with doors opening at 6.30pm.
On Sunday 19th May, tree planting will take place at Colin Glen Forest Park at 11am, followed by a finale event at Belfast Castle/Cave Hill between 7pm and 9pm.
Little Amal will begin her final day in Belfast with Do Not Disturb, a tree planting event at Colin Glen Forest Park between 11am and 12pm, with doors opening at 10.30am.
Her last stop will be at Belfast Castle gardens where she will explore the city’s mythological roots at a finale event – Amal at Beann Mhadagáin, between 7pm and 9pm.
Expect drumming, music, dance and a fire ceremony as the people of goddess Danu come together to offer Little Amal gifts of earth, air, water and fire to protect her on her onward journey to Newry, Mourne, Down and Dublin.
All of these events are open to the public but they do require free tickets to be booked in advance. For more details, visit: www.belfastcity.gov.uk.
Shortcross Launches a Pair of Truly Unique Irish Whiskeys
The distillers of Shortcross Irish Whiskey and Gin have revealed the latest expressions of Shortcross Irish Whiskey. These new Irish Whiskey’s were distilled, matured and bottled at Rademon Estate Distillery, which was founded by husband and wife team David and Fiona Boyd-Armstrong, and was the first new distillery in Northern Ireland in over 100 years to release their own whiskey.
The first new expression is the Shortcross 7-year-old Cognac and range Liqueur Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey. A whiskey whose journey began in early 2016 when the distillery secured its first batch of peated malted barley. This malted barley was then mashed, brewed and double-distilled on the distilleries copper pot stills.
Rademon are the first distillery in Northern Ireland to produce plated Irish whiskey in over two generations, Director of Distilling and Blending David Boyd-Armstrong describes the journey to get to that point as quite an adventure.
David said: “When we first approached our malt suppliers with a request for peated malt they each in turn told us that we were crazy, that’s not what you want to be doing, and that no one wants peated or smoky Irish whiskey. Of course, the irony now is that peated or smoky Irish whiskey is one of the hottest areas of the category.”
Distilling the peated malted barley was one thing, but then David wanted to use a cask no one had used before in the Irish Whiskey industry. “Speaking to several of the cooperages that we use we told them that we were seeking a cask type that would be distinctive and unique, and while they suggested several different types, I noticed something that they hadn’t suggested which was an ex-Cognac and Orange Liqueur Cask. Instinctively, I knew this could work really well and, in my mind, I had this concept of a smoky chocolate orange style whiskey,” added David.
As an industry and category first, this truly unique expression is described as: ‘On the nose there are notes of orange blossom, fresh mint and tropical fruits while walking through a summer garden. The palate leads with orange notes, as the malt makes an appearance. Milk chocolate combines with orange and mint, as the smoke shines. Sweet smoke and chocolate orange combine, giving a long, rich and oily finish with hints of leather coming through.’
Limited to less than 1,000 bottles annually this expression is bottled at 70cl/46%abv. RRP £65.00GBP/€75.00.
Launching alongside the above whiskey is a second new expression. The second new Shortcross 5-year-old Distiller’s Duo Irish Whiskey, blends Shortcross Single Malt and Shortcross Single Pot Still Irish whiskey’s together to create a blend that showcases the distillery’s character. The new whiskey has been aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and virgin American Oak (Quercus Alba) casks.
David Boyd-Armstrong, Director of Distilling and Blending describes the journey to create this expression: “Crafting the Distiller’s Duo has been a real testament to the quality of the Irish Whiskey we produce here at Rademon Esatate Distillery. We always look to see how we can take our Irish Whiskey and create something truly unique, and by combining our Single Malt and Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey together we are able to amplify the flavours and aromas of the malt and combine them with the spice and lush mouthfeel of the pot still to create a whiskey that we believe showcases our distillery’s character in the finest way possible. Uniquely, this is also the first time that this blend has been created where both whiskey’s have been distilled and matured at the same distillery.”
The Shortcross 5-year-old Distiller’s Duo Irish Whiskey tasting notes are described as: ‘A rich and fruit nose that is reminiscent of caramelised toffee apples, the palate leads with milk chocolate and sweet cereal notes from the malt. Over time these open up to reveal fresh hints of green apple and cola cubes, with a decadent and mouth-coating finish with chewy pot still spices and lingering note of red fruits, linseed and tobacco leaf.
This is a core expression and bottled at 70cl/46%abv. RRP £55.00GBP/€55.00.
“Our Irish whiskey journey is one that is truly obsessive in the creation of flavour,” said David. “We obsess to create those yet to be found and to recreate those flavours lost in time. With the launch of this new expression of Shortcross Irish Whiskey we believe we are showcasing this obsession and the quality of our whiskeys.”
Managing Director, Fiona Boyd-Armstrong, added: “These new Shortcross Irish Whiskeys are the first of a new range of releases and they are already on route to our key export markets for launch in Spring 2024 and are available now across the island of Ireland.”
To learn more about Shortcross Irish Whiskey, visit: www.shortcrosswhiskey.com.
Alternatively, follow their social media on Facebook: Short Cross Gin and Whiskey / Instagram: @shortcrosswhiskey / Twitter/X: @shortcrossgin.
