Ballycotton's Salty Dog. Delicious Bites

Ballycotton's Salty Dog. Delicious Bites

John Dory.

A picture is worth a thousand words. I was reminded of that old phrase on last week’s lunchtime visit to Salty Dog. The night before, the chef had posted a picture of just-landed John Dory and promised he’d have them on the menu the following day. He certainly had, and the dish was a highlight of the meal.

The fish brought me back to a Saturday night in Venice. We were on the fishermen's island of Burano for a multi-course fish special in the Gato Nero Trattoria. The “local” St Peter Fish, the fish of Venice we were told, was a highlight here also.

Burano, Venice: Houses in different colours, so that the fisherman will find the correct one!

It is, though, just another name for John Dory and obviously not especially connected with the city. But St Peter, a fisherman himself I recall, has a minor basilica named after him here.

Back to Ballycotton and to our John Dory, which was caught by a local boatman and landed 100 metres away, and superbly cooked in the kitchen. Our Ballycotton Boat John Dory, baby potatoes, wild mushrooms and sweet chilli and lime beurre blanc was a treat. Better than the one in colourful Burano which came in batter, as did, disappointingly, every single course that evening.

Cod Dog

Our other main dish in Ballycotton was their Cod Dog (brioche roll, breaded cod goujons, lemon coleslaw, crispy capers, Marie Rose sauce, and skinny chips). This is a casual restaurant, and indeed, there is more than one “dog” on offer. One of the specials was the Shredded Ballycotton Dog Steak Sandwich enhanced by Mushrooms, Chips, and a Brandy Pepper Sauce. On the regular menu, we saw Cold Prawns brioche roll, lemon coleslaw, avocado, skinny chips.

I enjoyed a bottle of the superb Stonewell Non-Alcoholic Cider with my fish. Then it was time for dessert. From a short list, we picked two and agreed that the top marks went to the Hot Apple Tarte Tatin with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Salty Dog overlooks the busy Ballycotton harbour.

You might be wondering where the Salty Dog is? You’ll find it easily enough as it is in the harbourside premises, overlooking the harbour and the lighthouse, recently vacated by Cush (who have moved to Midleton). Salty Dog is now the name for the pub, restaurant, and accommodation, all located on the same site.

Tarte Tatin

Executive Head Chef here is Fred Desormeaux (also looking after the nearby, and excellent, Sea Church restaurant). Head Chef in Salty is Marc Lonergan, who many of you will know from his time in Rosie’s in Whitegate. The kitchen is doing its stuff well, and so too are the friendly staff out front.

And where did the name come from? It is the nickname applied to a regular in the bar!

Dozens of current restaurant reviews here https://www.corkbilly.com/p/restaurant-reviews.html

On the craft trail with a smoky porter and a hoppy micro, thanks to Kinnegar and Whiplash.

On the craft trail with a smoky porter and a hoppy micro, thanks to Kinnegar and Whiplash.

Kinnegar Smoked Maple Porter, 4.2% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

Kinnegar had to "poke around" quite a bit before finding the malt combo that gave them the right amount of smokeiness   “to ensure a caracterful yet very easy drinking beer”. 

You’ll come across that smokiness, think of sweet smoked bacon, in the aromas, and it shows too on the palate. They have added “a strand of maple syrup… to round out the flavour and enrich the drinking experience!” The Maple Syrup’s cameo is just that. By the way, the herbaceous Fenugreek (sometimes used to flavour cheese) and Maple are listed in the ingredients.

An easy drinker then that weighs in at 4.2% ABV. Highly Recommended but you’d better like your smoky bacon. I’d be surprised to see this make the jump from the Brewers at Play series to their core beer line-up.

The porter pairs well with glazed ham, bacon, and Belgian waffles and the Full Irish of course, the one with two of everything (especially, and essentially, rashers!)

Whiplash Northern Lights Micro IPA, 2.8% ABV, 440 ml can No 21 Cork

This hazy IPA from Whiplash comes in a light gold colour with a foamy short-lived head. It may well be micro in terms of ABV but nothing shy about the hops, both in the aromas and on the palate. There’s a full-on blast of citrussy fruits thanks to the generous input of Vic Secret and Mosaic hops. Big on flavour, low on alcohol, an excellent beer and ideal for a session. Highly Recommended.

The introduction of  ‘Micro IPA’ was “one of our proudest moments of 2018”, according to the brewery. “When we dropped Northern Lights at Hop City last April we thought we’d be crucified for bringing a knife to a gun fight of 10%+ IPAs. Instead, people came to us and said this stuff is rocking, fun, and accommodating of the sesh. We thought so too. So much was the fun of drinking our 2.8% hop bomb over those weeks that we decided, fuck it, let’s keep this beer on year round. That July we rolled out Northern Lights as a year round offering and man it’s fun to have around.”

REDBREAST CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF REDBREAST 15 YEAR OLD WITH EXCLUSIVE CASK STRENGTH RELEASE

The Whiskey Wire

(other spirits may appear!)

*************************

press release

REDBREAST CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF REDBREAST 15 YEAR OLD WITH EXCLUSIVE CASK STRENGTH RELEASE 

A bold new limited release brings amplified flavour and natural intensity 

to a beloved Redbreast expression

Redbreast, the world’s most awarded Single Pot Still Irish whiskey*, proudly announces the launch of Redbreast 15 Year Old Cask Strength — a powerful, small-batch release crafted to celebrate 20 years since Redbreast 15 Year Old was first introduced.

Redbreast 15 Year Old Cask Strength is bottled at its natural strength of 56.3% ABV and will be available exclusively via MidletonDistilleryCollection.com. Crafted from a marriage of 15 specially selected casks — a deliberate tribute to its 15-year age statement — the release honours both the whiskey’s heritage and the sustained popularity of Redbreast 15 since its launch in 2005. 

First released as a one-off bottling, Redbreast 15 Year Old was so well received that it was soon added permanently to the Redbreast family.  20 years on, this cask strength edition pays tribute to this milestone by intensifying the rich, distillate-driven style that fans have cherished for two decades. 

Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry-seasoned casks, Redbreast 15 Year Old Cask Strength remains true to the signature Redbreast style, showcasing the bright and crisp citrus flavour notes, herbal undertones and a lively spice character alongside the familiar notes of dried fruits and toasted oak.

Speaking about the launch, Master Blender Dave McCabe says: “This release is a celebration of everything Redbreast 15 Year Old represents — heritage, craftsmanship, and character. Bottling it at natural cask strength allows the whiskey to fully showcase its complexity and vibrancy. Selecting 15 casks for this expression was a meaningful choice, connecting the whiskey’s age to its creation story." 

He continued: 

"In Redbreast’s world, each batch tells its own story. This limited edition gives fans the chance to experience the spirit of Redbreast 15 in a new way, while staying true to the style they know and love."

Master Blender Emeritus Billy Leighton adds: "When Redbreast 15 was first created it was intended to be a one-time release. Its overwhelming success led it to become a permanent part of our portfolio. This cask strength edition captures the spirit of that original moment — delivering a whiskey that is both deeply familiar and thrillingly new. It’s a bold tribute to our fans and a reminder that every batch, like every Redbreast, has its own unique personality." 

Each bottle carries a batch stamp, marking its place as part of a single-release, one-off edition. Redbreast fans, who often celebrate the subtle differences between batches, will find much to discover in this rare expression.  

This launch also harnesses Redbreast’s wider global brand campaign "Quite the Find", which celebrates the joy of discovering hidden gems — whether it’s an extraordinary whiskey or a rare story — a theme recently brought to life through Redbreast’s partnership with actor Andrew Scott and the Redbreast Unhidden short film award at the SXSW Film & TV Festival.  

Redbreast 15 Year Old Cask Strength will be available from MidletonDistilleryCollection.com from 12pm on Wednesday 11th June 2025, at RRP €130. 

For more information visit MidletonDistilleryCollection.com or direct link to purchase from 12pm on 11th June. 

**************************

press release via Ballyvolane House

BERTHA FAREWELL 

Ten years on and Bertha is winding down. But will there be a kiss of life?

After 10 years of hard work, triumphs, disasters, giggles and tears Justin and Antony are sad to announce that the Ballyvolane House Spirits Company will be winding down at the end of May. We are hopeful that the Bertha’s Revenge brand will continue under new and energetic stewardship, but it will no longer be produced on site at Ballyvolane House, nor will Justin or Antony be at the helm.

We wish to thank all of our distribution partners at home and abroad, along with friends in the retail and hospitality trade for their support since we launched in 2015. A very special thank you is due to the fine, gin-drinking public from Ireland and abroad who engaged with us, flirted with the brand and fell in love with our gin named after a cow from Co. Kerry. From bar stools to kitchen tables, from intimate picnics in wild places to gleeful wedding celebrations, we could never have hoped that Bertha would resonate with so many people.

We do have limited stock of Bertha’s Revenge Gin and Bertha’s Revenge Sloe Gin. If interested in picking up a case or two please do email us at info@ballyvolanespirits.ie.

Also, if anyone is looking to acquire a much-loved quirky Irish gin brand with massive potential for growth, please do reach out.

************************** 

MIDLETON VERY RARE, THE PINNACLE OF IRISH WHISKEY, LAUNCHES 2025 VINTAGE 

Six distillate styles unite to create a commemorative whiskey that honours Midleton Distillery’s 200-year legacy

Midleton Very Rare, the pinnacle of Irish Whiskey, is proud to unveil Midleton Very Rare 2025, an extraordinary blend of the finest single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys, spanning four decades. This year’s vintage is a testament to both tradition and innovation, expertly crafted to pay homage to Midleton Distillery’s 200th anniversary*.

Drawing on his extensive expertise in distillation and maturation, Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman led an exceptional team in creating Midleton Very Rare 2025. Their journey began with the careful selection of rare single pot still and single grain whiskeys from Midleton’s prestigious A2 Warehouse, an historic stone warehouse dating back to the 1860s, where the best performing whiskeys are set aside to mature.  

In their pursuit of perfection, and for the first time in the collection’s history, the team identified six exquisite distillate styles, each representing generations of artisans who have shaped the Midleton Very Rare legacy. Masterfully blended, these distillates unite to create a whiskey of remarkable depth and complexity. This milestone release stands as testament to Midleton Very Rare unwavering craftsmanship, visionary spirit and commitment to pushing the boundaries of Irish whiskey excellence, an ethos that has stood at the core of the distillery since its very inception.

*Midleton Distillery was founded in 1825

Unique to the 2025 vintage, O’Gorman hand selected three styles of grain whiskey for inclusion. Alongside Midleton’s signature grain whiskey, he included a 22-Year-Old select batch special grain whiskey, crafted from a mash bill of barley and malted barley, which was blended with an equally rare 21 Year-Old grain whiskey. Both matured in refill ex- American whiskey oak barrels, allowing the luscious sweetness and rich butterscotch notes of the distillate to shine through. 

Midleton Very Rare 2025 also features an increased pot still contribution, adding an intricate layer of complexity with deep spice and stone fruit notes, beautifully complementing the notes of sweet toffee, butterscotch, gentle floral and cut grass nuances of the grain whiskey. After meticulous blending, the team created three initial prototypes. Following a series of delicate refinements, enhancing the contribution of pot still whiskey aged in first fill barrels brought the final expression into perfect harmony. The result is an exquisitely complex whiskey with a well-balanced finish, one that stays true to the Midleton Very Rare profile while introducing a subtle yet defining twist for this year’s vintage.  

Celebrating the launch of Midleton Very Rare 2025, Kevin O’Gorman shares:

"As we celebrate 200 years of whiskey making excellence at Midleton Distillery it is a true honour to craft a vintage that commemorates this remarkable legacy. Midleton Very Rare 2025 is a whiskey of depth and balance, meticulously composed from six distinct distillate styles, each representing generations of mastery, innovation, and dedication that have become synonymous with Midleton Very Rare. This milestone release not only pays tribute to the past but also looks to the future. As we honour this historic occasion, my team and I remain committed to laying down more extraordinary whiskeys that will continue to shape and inspire the Midleton Very Rare legacy for the next 200 years and beyond.”

Housed in a beautifully crafted, fully recyclable* gift box, the Midleton Very Rare 2025 bottle is adorned with elegant details, including an illustration of Midleton Distillery, its iconic pot stills, and a commemorative stamp marking the distillery’s historic 200th anniversary.

Midleton Very Rare 2025 was bottled at 40% ABV and will be available from 15th April, initially in Ireland, the USA, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Australia, Irish and global travel retail and Irish Distillers’ brand homes at the RRP of €240, $350, £220, and in additional markets later in 2025. 

press release

************************** 

Kinsale 21 Gin 40% ABV.

Each drop is a sensation! Also a standout in cocktails

Widely available at about €40.00

Kinsale Gin is a prize-winning spirit featuring an impressive blend of 21 botanicals. According to the makers, "We go the extra mile to hand-pick local botanicals to achieve complete perfection. Each of our treasured 21 botanicals has been carefully chosen to contribute something extraordinary to our gin. We gather them seasonally and responsibly, ensuring enough is left for local wildlife and promoting future growth."

I have loved this gin for quite a while. It is fresh and captures the essence of the open countryside, which is not surprising since many of the 21 botanicals are foraged from the local area. When you don't overwhelm the essential spirit with too much tonic or excessive mixers, you'll notice beautiful notes of juniper, alongside the floral hints of meadowsweet, elderflower, and elderberries, complemented by the exotic aromas of lemon verbena and lemon geranium. They describe it as: “The sweetness from the

On the Craft Trail with Third Barrel and Rascals. A Pale Lager and White IPA

On the Craft Trail with Third Barrel and Rascals. A Pale Lager and White IPA

Third Barrel Hello Yes Czech Pale Lager, 4.1% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

clean crisp and refreshing, this lager hits the spot every time.

Third Barrel claims “this lager hits the spot every time”. The recipe was already a winner before the Dublin brewery got their expert hands on it, as it was the winning recipe for their 2024 homebrew competition. Third Barrel were delighted to be asked and even more delighted “when we found out it was a proper order lager!”

The Third Barrel version looks the part, with a dark gold hue, no shortage of carbonation, and a soft white head. It is certainly clean, crisp and refreshing on the palate, and there’s a perfect balance between malts and hops. Very Highly Recommended.

Retailers, Bradleys, say “Third Barrel Hello Yes is lager as it's meant to be. Clean, crisp and ultimately refreshing, low on ABV, but with a big hit of flavour and notes of Golden Syrup.”  

I’ve seen that Golden Syrup mentioned a few times but fail to find that kind of sweetness here. That’s just as well. Back in the day, I would have table-spooned the syrup straight into the mouth. I enjoyed it then, but nowadays, I wouldn’t be too keen on it dominating my lagers! By the way, the lager is proving very popular in Bradleys, lots of repeat orders. Be sure and get your hands on one or two before they’re gone.

Rascals Yankee White IPA, 5.0% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

Belgian Wheat meets American IPA. Orange zest fusion 

This hazy mid-amber ale is very crisp, very refreshing and full of hoppy character, right from the aromas to the very satisfying conclusion. 

Aromas, as you might expect from the hops used and the addition of orange peel, are predominantly citrus, with some pine and herb notes also present in the complex mix. 

And you get much the same on the palate as the soft hop-loaded beer moves gently across. Soft and light but with a refreshing and crisp finish. While the touted contribution of spice from the Belgian yeast is barely noticeable, Witbier does have some presence here; however, the complex hop flavour is centre-stage and I’m happy enough to place this under an IPA heading.

When Yankee won the Bronze at the World Beer Awards, this was the citation: "Hazy golden orange with a pillowy head, and a nose that's all citrus and candy sugar. The taste is dominated by mandarin oranges, lots of orange pith on both aroma and flavour. Biscuit and zesty aromas are also present on the palate, accompanied by a pleasant mouthfeel. " -

Rascals say: Yankee is hopped with two of the finest American hops, Citra and Amarillo, which give the beer big citrus and peach aroma, while the Belgian yeast adds a subtle spice. It’s very crisp, very refreshing and full of character. Very Highly Recommended.

Speaking of characters, Rascals have quite a few. Why not visit and check out the bar, the pizza, the events, and the tours

Frédéric Berne Beaujolais Lantignié Granit Rose ,with "an exuberant red fruit character"

Frédéric Berne Beaujolais Lantignié (AC) Granit Rose 2022, 13% ABV

RRP €29.95: Barnhill Stores; La Touche Wines; The Corkscrew; Ely Wine Store; Wineonline.

"an exuberant red fruit character"

Pink granite is a much-prized soil in Beaujolais because it gives its ultra-compatible grape, the Gamay, a boost that contributes to the highly aromatic and soft quality of the wines. And that is indeed the case with our fresh and vibrant Lantignié. The Gamay is one of my favourite grapes, and I’m happy to give this a Very Highly Recommended. It may not yet be a cru wine of the region, but you can taste why wine-maker Frédéric says that Lantignié (close to the crus of Régnié and Chiroubles) has the potential to become the eleventh cru of Beaujolais. 

It was quite a good year in the region, and the resulting wines showed lovely aromatics and good levels of acidity. In colour, it is a light to medium ruby colour. On the nose are those vivid red berry aromas. The palate is fresh and supple with fine tannins and a lifted acidity. There are flavours of raspberry and cherry with floral notes on the lingering finish. It is medium-bodied with a soft texture, approachable and enjoyable.

Importers Liberty tell us that Frédéric set up his own vineyard in 2013. Inspired by the diversity of the granite soils in Lantignié (close to the crus of Régnié and Chiroubles), Frédéric established himself in the heart of the village on the grounds of Château de Vergers. He is firmly committed to highlighting what he calls “the many faces of Gamay” in his wines..

The 10 Crus of Beaujolais refer to the ten specific wine-growing regions within the Beaujolais Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée. Each cru has its own distinct characteristics, influenced by the terroir, climate, and winemaking techniques. These wines are typically made from the Gamay grape. The ten are: Juliénas,  Saint-Amour, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Côte-de-Brouilly and Brouilly.  M. Berne strongly believes that Lantignié has the potential to become the eleventh cru of Beaujolais. 

Scenic Bend-of-the- River Location for Boathouse Dripsey

 Scenic Bend-of-the-River Location for Boathouse Dripsey

The Boathouse opened in Dripsey recently and is off to a flying start (with over 650 diners there on a recent Saturday). Many of you will know the venue, as it is in the old Griffin's Garden Centre. You use the same entrance (off the Dripsey Coachford road R618) as previously and the same car park. The entrance of the café itself is slightly different. As you walk from the car park, veer right, towards the sign below, and you pass a small sanded area for toddlers and see the River Lee below on your right, and the outside tables ahead (where the parents can keep an eye on the kids). The new entrance is on your left.

No shortage of choice on either the lunch or breakfast menu. A trio of us visited for lunch last week and enjoyed the experience. Both the curry (above) and the pizza (below) came in for compliments as did one of their Jacket Potato offerings. They also offer salads, toasties and sandwiches.

The original Spinning Wheel Café here was well-known for its pastries, and the new tenants are continuing that tradition. Of course, they already have a reputation for the sweet things from their first Boathouse in Coachford (still going strong). Two that we enjoyed were the Raspberry Doughnut (above) and the Lemon Meringue (below). Kids are well catered for with their own menus at breakfast and lunch. If you have a few hungry youngsters in tow, you may well consider getting the Nutella Pizza, which is for sharing!

Dining out, with the river below to the right.

View from outside dining area - water-skier not guaranteed!

As you walk from the large car park, the new entrance door to the café is to your right.