Dundalgan Irish Whiskey Ginger Ale & Lime RTD, 5%

Dundalgan is an exclusive brand for Lidl made by West Cork Distillers.

They’ve branched out into the Ready To Drink – RTD – cocktail market with this Irish Whiskey Ginger & Lime.

Despite RTDs not being my ‘drink-of-choice’ – I’m happy to try them out.

I was pleasantly surprised by a pronounced & clear ginger aroma on the nose.

Lime came through on the palate too.

But I still find it a trifle difficult to detect the Irish Whiskey element.

Dundalgan Ginger & Lime does make for a very easy going & highly refreshing drink however.

A pleasing little offering.

Sláinte

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Whiskey Nut’s Readers Favourite Blogs Of 2021

It’s nearly the end of 2021 – and what a year it’s been!

A little reflection of the previous 12 months is in order.

The blogs below are my readers favourites for 2021.

1) Proper Twelve V’s Jameson, Dec 18.

Proper 12 must be the most divisive Irish Whiskey ever – yet it’s already outselling Bushmills 400 years of heritage in the American market after only 4 years. Go figure!

2) Kyasuku World Whisky, Oct 21.

Rising to 2nd spot in only a couple of months is a remarkable achievement for this Aldi brand from Japan.

3) Dundalgan Single Malt IPA Cask, Nov 20.

This popular range of whiskey continues to be an attractive & affordable purchase.

4) Irish Whiskey Distilleries, Dec 21.

The only page to make the list! My constantly updating list of Irish Whiskey Distilleries!

5) Púca Blend, Nov 20.

These mischievous spirits make a welcome return to the Top 10 – as well as Aldi shelves!

6) Ron Rumbero Miniature Pack, Dec 19.

The 1st of a number of rum entries into the list – and a great introduction to the category.

7) Liberté Rum, May 20.

This affordable white rum charmed me with it’s attractive range of flavours.

8) Black & Blue Whisky, Jan 19.

This Nigerian Whisky brand made in India with UK connections demonstrates the global reach of whisky.

9) El Bandido Beer, July 20.

While I can’t say I love this beer – there’s clearly a lotta love for it out there!

10) Ardfallen Whiskey, Jun 19.

A no nonsense Irish Whiskey blend at an affordable price.

A big thanks to all my readers – without you I’d be drinking on my own!

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By pressing on the links you’ll be directed to the original blogs.

Dundalgan Single Malt, Sherry Edition, 42%

I’d put off trying out the last of the attractively priced Dundalgan Whiskey range mainly as sherry cask finishes are not my top pick.

Sherry Edition Dundalgan c/othewhiskeynut

I found all the others; Blend, Charred Cask, IPA & Stout Edition Single Malts to be highly enjoyable & flavourful.

The Sherry Edition followed suit with a lovely depth of warmth.

An engaging bite to enliven the experience.

All wrapped up with a lovely long lasting succulent finish.

Recently available for the bargain price of €20 – I was pleasantly surprised by how engaging this whiskey is.

A cracker of a malt.

Sláinte

A Charred Cask & 3 Stout Cask Whiskey, 40% to 46%

Continuing my exploration of the fantastically affordable Dundalgan range from Lidl is their Charred Cask Blend.

Lidl Ireland whiskey choices 2020 c/othewhiskeynut

I also happened to have Jameson’s Stout Cask Blend – so thought a comparison with Dundalgan’s Stout & what was left of Teeling’s Stout would make a lovely quartet to compare & contrast.

Not being a blind tasting does somewhat colour the experience – but this is what I found.

Dundalgan Charred Cask c/othewhiskeynut

Dundalgan Charred Cask, Blend, 40%

Such an expressive nose!

Those rich vanillas & caramels I expect from a decent bourbon cask matured whiskey were clearly evident.

Fairly mild & mellow on the palate – the vanillas giving a touch of grainy sweetness – before a hearty prickliness is experienced on the rear.

This charred cask is better than I remember it!

New vs Old c/othewhiskeynut

Perhaps it’s not only the label that’s had an update?

Jameson Stout c/othewhiskeynut

Jameson Caskmates, Stout Edition, Blend, 40%

You could say this is the original beer barrel aged whiskey – and it’s certainly been a big success – as well as spawning many others.

The colour was noticeably darker than the other 2 stouts & on par with the Charred Cask – a deep golden brown.

A honeyed rich caramel nose.

Well rounded mouthfeel – definitely smooth – with entertaining notes from the stout influence coming through towards the finish.

No sharp edges here – nice easy drinking with added flavour.

Dundalgan Stout c/othewhiskeynut

Dundalgan Stout Edition, Single Malt, 42%

As well as being lighter in colour – I found the nose cleaner & fresher.

The palate is single malt mellow – with a touch of sharpness leaving lip smacking flavours dancing off the tongue.

I believe this offering benefits from non chill filtering, natural colouring & a slightly higher ABV.

Teeling Stout c/othewhiskeynut

Teeling Galway Bay Stout Cask, Blend, 46%

The extra ABV kicks in with a spirity nose.

A lovely interaction of coffee like stout notes interplay with fresh sweet grain on the palate.

There’s a bit of a punch on the finish – but the flavours still delight.

Conclusions?

So how to pick a winner?

Tricky!

I’m gonna discount the Teeling as it’s twice the price & the extra ABV could be challenging.

‘Tis enjoyable though!

Jameson is dropped too – the richness & smoothness appeals to many – but I’m looking for a tad more oomph.

So it’s down to the Dundalgans.

For sheer affordability, simplicity of flavour & entertaining delivery – I think the Dundalgan Charred Cask wins the day!

Sláinte

Exploring The Penetration Of Irish Whiskey In The German Supermarket Sector.

A random tweet got me thinking.

Obviously I checked on the link & was blown away by Lidl offering a cask of new make whisky to it’s customers!

Lidl whisky cask c/oLidl.de

My inquisitive mind led me to checking out what else they had.

Let’s put it like this – the depth & spread of whiskies on offer would qualify the shop as being a specialist whiskey outlet in Ireland!

The bare figures are pretty outstanding;

Total bottle selection…………………………..127.

Comprising of;

Scotland…………………………………………………….84

America……………………………………………………..19

Ireland……………………………………………………….10

Japan & Taiwan………………………………………….4 each

Wales & Austria…………………………………………2 each

Canada & South Africa………………………………1 each

At only 8% of the market – Irish Whiskey clearly has a long way to go!

But who was flying the Irish flag?

First off – in order of appearance here – Lidl own brand Dundalgan.

Dundalgan Blend c/oLidl.de

Next up – the ubiquitous Jameson in Original, Black Barrel & Caskmates varieties.

Jameson Original c/oLidl.de

Irishman Single Malt made an appearance.

Irishman c/oLidl.de

Kinahan’s popped up with their tasty Kasc Project.

Kinahan Kasc c/oLidl.de

Kilbeggan followed.

Kilbeggan Blend c/oLidl.de

With Paddy being the last whiskey.

Paddy c/oLidl.de

A couple of liqueurs wrapped up the Irish contingent.

I’d definitely be like a kid in a sweet shop drooling over the extensive choice!

Aldi Sud meanwhile had only 8 whisky on offer – 5 Scotch & 1 each from Japan, Canada & Germany. Ireland didn’t even feature!

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Header image c/oextra.ie

Glen Marnoch Speyside Single Malt, 40%.

As part of their Father’s Day promotions Aldi have brought to the Irish market the award winning Glen Marnoch range of Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

I’ve tried the Islay expression before here. The peat just managed to break through the caramelly sludge to make it a worthwhile bargain purchase – and the Highland bottle interested me next – but all that was on the shelves of my local Athlone store happened to be the Speyside Single Malt.

Now Speyside whiskies are among the biggest selling single malts in the world. They have universal appeal. They are approachable easy drinking & relatively mild. That equates to a lack of any bold flavours in my book and I wouldn’t be a fan.

With that caveat in mind – what did I find?

Caramel. Lots of it. The dominant note I got reminded me of a corn based blend – yet this is a 100% barley malt. Added caramel – or e150 if you like – is often made with dehydrated corn – so maybe that’s what I’m picking up.

It certainly is soft & approachable – no rough edges here – with a smidgen of fruity notes appearing towards the end.  A pleasing warm burn gently caresses the palate on the finish.

For the price – added caramel & chill filtration are the norm – the name of the distillery is also not stated either – you get what you pay for.

Supermarket whiskeys c/othewhiskeynut

Having said that – over in rivals Lidl – the Dundalgan Charred Cask Irish Whiskey sells for the same price.

It’s also soft & approachable. It has a far more warming – even inviting – bourbon vanilla & caramel nose  – and packs more flavour too. All this from a blend.

For a fiver more you get the Dundalgan 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey.

All you need to know. c/othewhiskeynut

Compared to the Speyside this is in a different league.

It’s cleaner, crisper, packs more flavour, more fruit & has a far more balanced appeal about it altogether.

Even in the bargain basement range there are enjoyable drinking experiences.

Not something I can say about the Glen Marnoch Speyside.

Slàinte.