I don’t know if Captain Cook’s Original Rum & Cola I previously reviewed here has faced choppy water – because the current Lidl offering has morphed into James Cook Original Spiced Gold & Cola.
There’s been a slight facelift to the front of the can.
Gone is the sailing ship & in is the proud Captain himself.
The rear stays remarkably similar – with the addition of the Re-turn logo.
The taste also remains the same.
Cola dominates initially. Merest hints of rum on the palate. A smidgen of spice on the rear.
Far preferred the German 10% RTD offerings I posted about here!
I’ve started an expedition to visit every pub in my local area – Athlone. It’s not a pub crawl per se – more of a leisurely stroll over a protracted period of time.
Pubs change hands, close down, re-open, have new owners, re-brand or any combination of these & more. My visits only capture what I found on the day – or selected memories of times past. They are my own views – your perspective of the venues will probably differ.
This is what I found.
1 – Granary Bar, Creggan Court Hotel, N6 Centre
This is the closest drinking establishment to my home – a half hour walk away – so I started here.
The bar itself is a rather large space more suitable to dining than drinking – there are no chairs or barstools at the bar.
There’s a limited array of whiskey; Jameson, Paddy’s Powers & Tullamore DEW being prominent, with no craft beer visible. I went with the DEW being a local distillery. A soft, light & easily approachable blend with a little prickly bite on the finish.
Tend to use the bar annually for CPC Courses & avail of the carvery which serves up decent pub-grub. Sports screens around the eatery.
Scribes & Charlies Bar, Dublin Rd
There’s a long walk to the next bar. Along the way you pass TUS – Technological University of Shannon – which in it’s AIT days used to have a bar called Scribes, now long gone.
Also gone is Charlies Bar. It burnt down a while ago. A rebuild is commencing but unsure if the bar is included.
2 – The Tack Room, Dublin Rd
When I enter a bar & find large sports screens dominating the area along with a limited drinks selection – I know it’s not for me!
I’m at the stage I’ve a bigger range of spirits at home than most bars – so went with a Jack Daniel’s. It actually was quite an enjoyable tipple in the afternoon sun!
3 – The Shack, Dublin Rd
At last a pub I feel at home in!
A wider variety of whiskeys, some craft beers on tap & the odd tequila too. Do lovely meals with a homely atmosphere provided by warming fires. Was my nearest bar before I moved so been in a few times. Went with a Kilbeggan Black. A soft, sweet & easy peater from the distillery only a half hour drive down the road.
Sean Og’s, Sean Costello St
Many moons ago I attended a live concert featuring a rock band in this pub. Now being converted into accommodation.
4 – Rob’s Ranch House, Sean Costello St
Yee ha! More of a Wild West themed diner rather than a bar. No stools at the bar yet plenty of tables & an extensive food menu.
Remember this venue as the colourful Biddy Mulligan’s, then a short-lived trendy wine-bar before the current Ranch House.
Had some spicy wedges & Jose Cuervo Reposado Tequila keeping with the Wild West theme. The black peppery spice made a tasty change from the whiskeys!
Potters, Sean Costello St
I remember this pub – it had an unusual facade – although I never entered. Now I can’t – as it too is earmarked for accommodation.
5 – The Dark Horse, Sean Costello St
I was in here on a number of occasions when it was Rayners. Bands played this venue regularly, a rowdy disco & hearty meals were enjoyed too.
As The Dark Horse the meals are still served, there’s a nice selection of whiskeys, some craft beers & you’re able to sit at the bar. Quite a lively & busy spot. I went with Toki Japanese Whisky mainly for it’s rarity. A light easy going whisky with a little prickle of excitement on the rear. Grand!
Staying in America are a series of exceptional speciality bottlings of fine quality with plenty additional information from High N Wicked.
I’ve chosen their No 4 release – Aeneas Coffey – as it celebrates this Irishman’s invention of the continuous still which kick-started the growth of whiskey in today’s world.
Suitably it’s a single grain Irish Whiskey distilled in Cork, finished in madeira casks & presented non chill filtered, natural colour – as all High N Wicked offerings are – at 50% ABV in a cool looking bottle.
These are one-off style of whiskeys not normally available & I’d certainly be tempted to try them!
While most folks might have heard of Tequila & Mezcal, Mexico has a number of other distilled spirits – Sotol is one of them.
Sotol is made using the same methods of it’s more well known stablemates – but differs in the raw ingredients used.
Sotol Onó is hand crafted using 100% Dasylirion Cedrosanum or Desert Spoon plant. Not being agave it cannot be named Tequila or Mezcal and can only be made in specific geographical areas within Mexico – Chihuahua in this instance.
The Desert Spoon plant can typically take up to 15 to 25 years to mature & at present is in plentiful supply.
Sotol Onó has a very pleasing smoky aroma. This probably comes from roasting the piña in a shallow pit oven using willow & oak firewood. It’s more of a BBQ style of smoke rather than peaty embers. There’s an earthiness to it as well – not unlike mezcal.
Oily & smooth on the palate.
Comes alive on the rear with a warming glow, more of those smoked wood notes & agave like minerals with a drying prickliness slowly fading away.
A fabulous drop indeed!
Might have to try the celebrity Sotol Lenny Kravitz has released on the strength of this one!
The bus back from West Brewery dropped us on Hope St.
Being unfamiliar with central Glasgow it took a little while to orientate ourselves in the direction of our hotel. On the way herself spotted the colourful facade & welcoming lights of Mezcal Restaurant.
Inside was themed like a Day Of The Dead celebration. Loads of brightly coloured garlands, highly decorated skulls & for me at least – a veritable wall of tequila & mezcal!
Herself went for a Margarita – Mezcal are big on cocktails – while I went for the visually attractive Gem & Bolt Mezcal.
This mezcal exhibited a gentle soft smokiness, lovely oily mouthfeel & an attractive aftertaste which reminded me of butterscotch.
A nice & easy offering.
We were enjoying the thumping music, cheery atmosphere & warm environs while looking out on passers by on a chilly evening – so another round was ordered.
Herself went for the same. I branched out for the mysterious Pechuga style – described as redistilled mezcal with fruits, grains & chicken breasts on the Mezcal Menu.
Bruxo No 3 made my glass.
I can’t vouch for the chicken breasts – but I was immediately hooked by a cleaner, brighter & fresher earthy agave smokiness. Gorgeously oily & viscous palate offering a smoky after-kiss. More vegetal agave on the rear with an almost umami like style of flavours going on.
My kinda mezcal!
If you’re looking for a bit of agave spirit in your life – Mezcal in Glasgow is the place to go.
Triple Dog Irish Whiskey dares to be different – at least from the information on it’s website here.
The bottle design is certainly catchy – vibrant red & contrasting black with a dog’s head logo.
The distillery of origin is given – Great Northern Distillery in Dundalk – which is not always forthcoming for a sourced brand.
I can’t vouch for the taste as Triple Dog Irish Whiskey is an American brand & not available in Ireland. It does seem to have collected a number of awards since it’s release however.
Triple Dog’s Instagram page does appear to portray a youthful, fun & female focused brand.
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 