Punters pour into the third annual Cork Whiskey Fest

Punters pour into the third annual Cork Whiskey Fest

Cork people are not renowned for punctuality, arriving late to restaurants, doctors, and dentists, not to mention traffic lights.  Perhaps the run of "Cork time” is going to peter out. Last Friday, MacCurtain Street was a lesson in punctuality. At 7:30 PM, it was buzzing with activity and anticipation. 

If you weren't aware of what was happening, you might have wondered about the long, good-humoured queue stretching from the western end of the Metropole to the door of the Wine Cellar. It was for the opening of the Cork Whiskey Fest. And what time did it start? At 7:30, of course! Not only were people on time, but quite a few arrived slightly early! Turns out, whiskey waits for no one. Or should that be the other way around?

Conor Ryan of Pearse Lyons

And then we were in, with hard-working organisers Laurie and Sonya scanning the tickets. The organisers were well prepared, and so too were the exhibitors, some forty of them from all over Ireland, including Croithlí from the Donegal Gaeltacht.

But the first focal I noticed was in Latin: Quercus. I knew that one! Quercus Suber is an oak from which the corks for wine bottles are produced. Croithlí (Crollys) had one of their Gaelic spirits finished in three different oaks: Quercus Petrea, Alba and Robur. Alba is the American white oak, while Robur is the European version. The Irish tree Petrea is also known as Sessile Oak, and that sweet woody oak was prominent on the palate.

Crollys are in northwest Donegal, and nearby towns include Dunfanaghy and Dungloe, while the impressive Errigal Mountain is also a neighbour. If you are in the area, which is a rather beautiful part of the country, why not visit the distillery? Information on tours here.  Indeed, many of Ireland’s distilleries are in picturesque regions.

Kinsale was well represented by Blacks and Kinsale Mead, along with Conor Ryan, the Kinsale-based Conor Ryan, who is production manager at the beautiful Pearse Lyons distillery in Dublin's Liberties. I enjoyed the chat with Conor, who was busy showing their whiskeys. You’ll find the Lyons distillery in a renovated old church, with stained glass windows showing the distilling process. I visited myself a few years back, and you can see some details and pics here.

Blacks are producing both spirits and beers these days, having started out as a brewery. Highlight here was a taste of their First Flight Single Malt, the inaugural and impressive release. They have a fantastic new building on the waterfront where, in a first for Ireland, the brewery and distillery are colocated. They have a range of tours to offer, and you may get details here…. Must do that myself soon!

You might be wondering why Kinsale Mead was here. Well, their new Wildflower Irish Mead is aged in Irish Oak Whiskey Casks from Midleton Distillery, and it is a beauty! Hard-working founders Kate and Denis are very excited about this one and the contribution of the oak: “Wildflower Mead, aged in the Midleton casks, has taken on a lovely extra bright flavour, the floral notes from the Irish honey are really accentuated.”

Portmagee's John Murphy

"It finishes beautifully with balanced hawthorn, apple, and delicate whiskey notes. ..The taste of Ireland." Kinsale Mead also offers guided tours, very interesting ones indeed. Info here.

West Kerry, another beautiful area of the country, was doubly represented by neighbours Portmagee and Skellig Six 18. John Murphy was showing Portmagee's three rum-finished whiskeys, the blended bottle, the single pot still, and the limited edition aged 9 years, all under the general title of Spioraid na Mara (Spirit of the Sea). They have an unusual 360-degree Immersive tour in their unusual venue, a trio of three-storey tall geodesic domes. Info at www.portmageewhiskey.com 

Skellig Six 18 Commercialisation Manager Cathal O’Connor had a range of spirits “from the edge of the world,” and very good they were also, especially the Triple Cask Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Matured in ex-Bourbon barrels and finished in PX Sherry and ex-peated Scotch casks, this was voted the best Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey at the 2024 Berlin International Spirits Competition. More info here.

Kate and Denis of Kinsale Mead

It was lovely to meet with the folks from Longford’s Lough Ree distillery and Bart’s Irish Whiskey, their first blended release. There are three versions: Bart’s (sweet, fruity and spicy), Bart’s XS (sweet and fruity) and Bart’s XP (smoky and fruity).

The West Cork Pot Still is a beauty from Bourbon casks. I knew that anyhow. They also had a cask strength version, and it carried the much higher alcohol very well indeed, but I’d still go for the regular strength one. I also enjoyed the Single Malt Irishman, which is produced by Walsh Whiskey, who also does the popular Writer’s Tears series.

So what was my top whiskey overall? Oh, by the way, I didn’t taste every single one! My vote goes to the Glendalough Irish Single Malt Mizunara Finish. Mizunara is a rare and exotic Japanese oak and is also expensive. The seven-year-old retails for about €90. 

Quite an evening in the Metropole, where the 3rd annual festival kicked off its booked-out whiskey weekend. A superb event now firmly in the Cork calendar, and well done again to Laurie and Sonya.

Look at the stars. Look how they shine for you. Introducing Coldplay by Candlelight at Limerick Strand Hotel.

 Look at the stars. Look how they shine for you. Introducing Coldplay by Candlelight at The Limerick Strand Hotel.

Enjoy Coldplay by Candlelight at the Limerick Strand Hotel on Saturday, April 5^th.

Pic via Pixabay

One of Candlelight Classics’ most popular shows, Coldplay by Candlelight, features the captivating sounds of Frank McNamara on piano with the Bridgerton String Quartet.  The Limerick Strand Hotel promises an extraordinary night of music and elegance on Saturday, April 5th, at 9 pm (till approximately 10:15 pm), with tickets from

On the craft trail with Tom Crean and Dungarvan Brewing Company.

On the craft trail with Tom Crean and Dungarvan Brewing Company

Tom Crean’s Family Six Magpies Stout, 4.2% ABV, 500 ml bottle, O’Donovan’s Off Licence

“We want to produce beer that doesn’t cost the earth” - Bill Sheppard co-founder

Six Mapgpies Stout from the Tom Crean Family brewhouse is a multi-grain cracker, also a multi-award winner.

It pours black as a bog hole with an inviting tanned Lacey head. You don't have to wait to fill your glass for those traditional caramel coffee aromas as they waft straight up once you flip the cap. And all the early promises are fulfilled in the mouth with a perfect feel. Note also the subtle hops and malts getting together in a smooth dance that ends in the most refreshing way.

A terrific stout which is “all-natural, no additives, chemicals and vegan. The healthy option, drink in moderation…. a traditional Irish stout, triple hopped and reminiscent of stouts before the addition of nitrogen.”

It has been a while since I enjoyed one, and I'm glad that the local O’Donovans have stocked this and other beers from the Kenmare brewery, founded and owned by the dynamic duo Aileen Crean O'Brien and her husband, Bill Sheppard.

The stout combines 6 grain types, but that’s not where the name comes from! So where did the name come from? Brewer Bill was trying to settle on a name when he heard an almighty racket overhead. Looking up to the trees, he saw a bunch of pesky noisy magpies, six in all. He was aware of the old saying about the noisy bird: one for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, And, of course, it just went and won gold, twice, at Blas! Very Highly Recommended. The beer, that is, not counting magpies!

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Dungarvan Helvick Head Irish Blonde Ale, 4.9% ABV

refreshingly easy to drink

Our Irish Blonde has a deep golden colour and a soft white head. It’s a well balanced beer with fruit and hops to the fore, the fruitiness in the aromas, the hoppiness more on the palate. “Our blonde ale is not a bland ale,” they rightly declare. It’s a flavour-packed ride all the way to a refreshing dry finish.

They say: Helvick is a great summer’s day drink, perfect for cracking out at the barbeque. Enjoy at cellar temperature (8—14°C) or cooler for a great warm-weather thirst quencher. It’s an excellent beer to pair with food.

And that food? Good with spicy foods, or try it with seafood — the citrus of the cascade hops provides the perfect accompaniment to fish and shellfish without overpowering the flavours. Goes well with a variety of cheese also. Check it all out here.

The craft beer beginner will find some other beers better to start off with but this complex ale, with its firm and bold flavours, will keep the more experienced very much onside. It is much touted as a summer beer but I’ve found it quite the perfect companion in the other seasons. Highly Recommended.

Enjoy at cellar temperature (8-14°C) or cooler. As with all our beers, Helvick Gold contains a vitamin-rich yeast sediment in the bottle which is a by-product of the natural carbonation. To pour a clear pint, pour out in one go and leave the last drop in the bottle. However, this is purely for aesthetic reasons and the sediment is absolutely fine to drink.   

Geek Bits -

Style: Blonde Ale

ABV: 4.9%

Hops: Cascade, East Kent Goldings, Northern Brewer

IBUs: 41

Time you met the big, bold seducer. Pasquale Petrera ‘Fatalone’ Gioia del Colle Primitivo .

Pasquale Petrera ‘Fatalone’ Gioia del Colle (DOC) Primitivo Riserva 2020, 16% ABV

€23.95 64 Wine Dublin, Bradley’s of Cork, Greenman Dublin, Le Caveau Kilkenny

Time you met Fatalone, the big, bold seducer.

The colour, emblematic of the grape, is an intense ruby. As expected, the aromatics feature ripe dark fruit (black cherry, plum). The flavours, dark fruits again, are forward, and the smooth and velvety palate experience also includes spice notes. It is full-bodied, rich in minerality and freshness, and has an extended finish with an almond aftertaste (typical of the Primitivo grape in this area).

The winemaker suggests pairings such as strongly flavoured dishes like pasta with gravy, roasted beef, game, and grilled meat, as well as fish and aged cheese. The Riserva is also particularly pleasant with dark chocolate sweets. Best served at 18°- 20°C.

Importers Le Caveau: ‘Fatalone’ means seducer in the local dialect and well-named as it is a perfect balance of smoothness, freshness and minerality. It spends 12 months in wine stainless steel tanks, 12 months in Slavonic oak 750-litre-casks with the application of music therapy to optimise the spontaneous micro oxygenation process and improve the fining of the wine, then finished by 6 months in bottle.”

According to Wine-Searcher.com, Primitivo probably arrived in Puglia (where you’ll find Fatalone) from the coastal vineyards of Croatia (just across the Adriatic Sea). “It is still grown there today, under various tongue-twisting names including Tribidrag and Crljenak Kasteljanski. In the early 19th century, the variety was introduced to the United States, under the name Zinfandel.”

The Mains are tried and tested and the Specials at Isaac's are well worth checking

The Mains are tried and tested, and the Specials at Isaac's are well worth checking

Isaac’s Restaurant on McCurtain Street has been a sterling staple of the Cork City dining scene for 32 years. Since its inception by Michael and Catherine Ryan and Canice Sharkey, it has consistently provided quality dining experiences. No wonder the punters keep flocking in for more. Open every day, except on Bank Holidays, Isaac’s is a well-run restaurant where you can dine with confidence, as confirmed once again during a recent visit. 

Even though they have little left to prove, they keep manifesting they're top class every night of the week. Here, attention to detail ensures customers consistently receive well-sourced, well-cooked meals presented with a smile. The friendly staff are courteous and provide helpful advice when needed. 

 Mild Madras Lamb Curry with basmati rice, poppadum & side dishes.

The curry (above) has been on the menu for decades and remains as enjoyable as ever, with a superb vegetarian version also available. Other enduring favourites include Skeaghanore Duck Confit served with champ, caramelized onions, and a duck thyme jus, as well as a Crispy Fried Brie starter. And of course, steak is always on. Besides, they are excellent with fish (as that cod dish below illustrates). 

In addition to the popular main menu items, Isaac's also offers a dynamic list of specials that keep things interesting. On last week's visit, there were seven specials available, including:

- Seared Scallop Salad with Clonakilty black pudding, crispy pancetta, and pea puree

- Smoked Cod Croquettes with romesco sauce and mixed Horizon leaf salad

- Pan-fried fillets of Seabass with chorizo potato, tender stem broccoli, and chive sauce

- Casserole of Lamb Shank with chive champ

- Oven-baked fillet of Cod with a crab crust, potato rosti cake, savoy cabbage, and beurre blanc

The variety on offer is impressive!

An excellent Sauvignon Blanc from a family-owned sustainable vineyard in New Zealand
enhanced last week's dinner at Isaac's.

The wine list is thoughtfully curated, featuring all the main grape varieties. Among the whites, you'll find Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Albarino, while the reds include Tempranillo, Malbec, and Valpolicella. Sauvignon Blanc is notably popular, with three options available. The Rhône region is well represented in the reds. House wines, both red and white, are priced at €31.00 per bottle or €9.50 per glass. Rosé, Champagne, and dessert wines are also offered.

When you add in the comfort, attentive service, and central location, Isaac’s truly stands out as a winning choice for dining.

Opening hours here from their Facebook page.

Duck confit

Chestnut Meets Rare for One Night Only

press release 

For One Night Only

Chestnut Meets Rare

A West Cork Collaboration as Rob Krawczyk of Restaurant Chestnut joins Meeran Manzoor at Rare at Blue Haven in Kinsale

Rob (left) and Meeran

For one night only, on April 13th, two of West Cork’s finest chefs will collaborate to create a special tasting menu.

The evening promises a unique dining experience that celebrates the best of local, seasonal ingredients with the combined creativity of both chefs. Meeran and Rob are committed to local, seasonal food, using the rich abundance of West Cork’s larder to bring their menus to

Maneki Japanese Cuisine & Karaoke Box Where Dublin Comes to Sing, Dine, and Celebrate. Sushi will never be the same!

  Sushi will never be the same!

Thanks to Pixabay!

Maneki Japanese Cuisine & Karaoke Box
Where Dublin Comes to Sing, Dine, and Celebrate

 

Bringing the flavours and electric energy of Tokyo’s nightlife to the heart of Dublin city centre, Maneki Japanese Cuisine & Karaoke Box is the ultimate destination for those who love great food, fun and music. Located at 43 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, Maneki offers a unique blend of modern Japanese cuisine, high-tech karaoke, and a lively

On the craft trail with Dungarvan Brewery and Elbow Lane

On the craft trail with Dungarvan Brewery

Russel Garet
Elbow Lane brewer

and Elbow Lane

Elbow Lane Angel Stout 4.4% ABV, on draught in Goldie

Available in Market Lane restaurants in bottles (all), in draught (some)

A stout made for the restaurants' food!

Great to renew my acquaintance with Angel Stout at a recent dinner in Goldie Restaurant (Cork). 

Elbow Lane’s Angel Stout is one of the best, a superb combination of hops and malt, made with the Market Lane restaurant's food in mind. Both Goldie and Elbow, along with ORSO, Castle Café and Market Lane itself make up the five in the group.

My very first sip the other evening confirmed previous impressions as the roasted malt showed well in the flavour. The hops - Hercules Germany, Pilgrim UK and Willamette USA - go in early in the process, and their bittering qualities make for a lovely balance, a delicious pint and even better with the dishes that follow.

It has a distinct malt character and pronounced hop bitterness, typical of the style. Dark roasted malts contribute to the bittersweet chocolate notes, while a generous hop addition lends to a dry but smooth finish. This stout will suit robust dishes like steak, stews and curries. And I found it went very well with their Oyster Paté, a relatively new dish from renowned Head Chef Aiushling Moore.

Elbow Lane is one of the few Irish breweries that strictly adheres to the principles of the ancient German Purity Law, “Reinheitsgebot”, which means that only four ingredients are used: malted barley, hops, yeast and water. There are no additives and the fermentation of the beer is not artificially accelerated, nor is it filtered – so it is all totally natural. 

Dungarvan Mine Head American PA, 5.5% ABV

 one for your short list

The brewery had a plan as they developed Mine Head. It would be dry-hopped, a process of adding whole leaf hops into the fermenter. This gives more of a hop aroma to the beer and a fresh initial hit of the hop flavours. 

And, with the Cascade hop the only one used, that is exactly what happened.

Cascade, of course, goes hand in hand with the American Pale Ale. Here, you notice it straightaway with that initial hoppy hit in the aromas, rising from an amber body topped by a soft white head. That hoppy hit is easily confirmed by the old finger-in-the-head test - stick it in and suck it!

Then, it is citrus all the balanced way, with a teeny touch of marmalade sweetness later on and that bitter at the end but nothing over the top. A pleasant and harmonious beer indeed. Another one for your shortlist.

Food pairings suggested by Dungarvan are spicy Thai or Vietnamese food, or “keep it American with a burger! Works great with lighter fish or with earthy meats such as lamb or beef. Great with a creamy camembert-style cheese or a tart sheeps cheese. Best served lightly chilled, from 8-12°C”.

The name: Mine Head is a high headland west of Dungarvan; it and its lighthouse form a dramatic landmark on the Atlantic Coast.

Geek Bits - 

Style: American Pale Ale

ABV: 5.5%

Hops: Cascade

IBUs: 38

Féile Tom Crean in Kenmare 11th-13th April 2025