Whiskey Live is a great event to get an overview of what’s happening in the world of Irish Whiskey and as a bonus, you can sample many whiskeys to find your favorite one. For those who decide to attend the event, I also recommend attending the masterclasses. There you can try special vintages and unusual varieties of whiskeys as well as meet the actual distillers, whether large or small, new or established.

The Glendalough Distillery Masterclass is on Saturday 23rd November at 7.15-8.15pm. The last time I went to their Masterclass, I not only got a great overview of the Glendalough whiskeys, but I also got to taste their excellent gin. This Masterclass will focus on the great Irish Oak and you‘ll get to taste 5 or 6 samples and see how this majestic tree influenced their whiskey.

Please note that you need to buy a ticket to the main Whiskey Live event in order to participate in the Masterclasses.

Whiskey Live is a great event to get an overview of what’s happening in the world of Irish Whiskey and as a bonus, you can sample many whiskeys to find your favorite one. For those who decide to attend the event, I also recommend attending the masterclasses. There you can try special vintages and unusual varieties of whiskeys as well as meet the actual distillers, whether large or small, new or established.
At the Dingle Masterclass on Saturday, 23rd November (starts at 5:45) you‘ll get an overview of Dingle Single Malt vs Dingle Single Pot Still. This is a must for those who have always wanted to know more about Dingle Whiskey or simply want to experience the difference between Single Malt and Pot Still Whiskey using the excellent example of Dingle Whiskey!
Please note that you need to buy a ticket to the main Whiskey Live event in order to participate in the Masterclasses.

In the past, distilleries produced advertising material with their distillery, brand and drinks names on mirrors, signs, etc. These were given out to pubs who sold their products. Some of these advertisements still adorn the walls of pubs to this day. They have survived the ups and downs of the whiskey industry and are a nostalgic reminder of the old good times and the often forgotten brands and distilleries of old.
Today’s pick is a lovely old sign from Cork Distilleries Company. Paddy is an Irish whiskey made by the Cork Distilleries Company (founded in 1867).  It was initially called "Cork Distillery Company Old Irish Whiskey" – a bit of a mouthful! After the Famine, the smaller distilleries realized that they could not survive alone, so Daly’s, the Green, North Mall, and the Watercourse distilleries came together to form one distillery. In 1882, they hired a young energetic man named Paddy Flaherty to sell their whiskey. He traveled throughout County Cork and Ireland advertising the golden liquid. His sales technique was to offer free rounds in the pubs he visited. This worked so well, that when the whiskey was empty and the publicans changed the barrels, they would remember the generous young man and "Paddy Flaherty's whiskey". Because Paddy was so popular with both punters and publicans alike, the distillery changed its name to the much easier to remember "Paddy Irish Whiskey" in his honor. Even today, Paddys is sold in practically every pub in Ireland and is one of Ireland's most exported whiskey.

Today Cocktails recipes for Rock Farm Bramble recommendation comes from Slane Whiskey Distillery with Wild Irish Blackberries from Rock Farm.
Ingredients:
Slane Irish Whiskey,
Elderflower liqueur,
fresh lemon juice,
Irish Honey Liqueur,
muddled blackberry.
Sláinte

The “Snug Room” is originally an Irish invention, which is now well known in pubs throughout the world. Up to the 1960s, pubs in Ireland were for men only. After Mass on a Sunday, the men would typically meet for a pint in the local pub and so that women were not left outside, a special “waiting area” was set up for them. The women could sit there and exchange news. It was not an enforced law that women weren’t allowed to drink in public, but women were simply not allowed into pubs. That didn’t mean that Irish women did not drink though! Snugs are reminiscent of the Catholic Church's "confession boxes." They were located towards the entrance of the pub and enclosed with extra doors, some even being lockable from the inside, so those uninvited could not come in! The Snugs had extra windows to the bar so that the women could order their drinks without being seen. It was also a private area to meet with the local priest or police officer and couples could even flirt without fear of being seen. Older pubs still have Snug Rooms. Keep your eyes out for them when traveling around Ireland!

 

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