Last summer we were touring the Borders Region with a nephew over from the States.
Having taken in the Shannon Pot – much to his amusement – a spot of lunch was in order.
Looking into Brexitland from a European Union Ireland
Dropping down into Blacklion on the Cavan/Fermanagh border we didn’t find a suitable eatery open so a short walk across the peaceful & picturesque Belcoo River took us out of the European Union & into the Brexitland of United Kingdom where the Customs House Hotel welcomed us in.
Being in a different jurisdiction often reveals an alternative array of spirits. Customs House didn’t disappoint in this regard offering a hitherto unknown rum to me in the shape of Thomson’s Old Sailor Demerara Rum.
In no short time a tot was poured to accompany our hearty meal.
The dark brown rum offered up a mix of sweet dark caramels entwined with an oaky element.
A smooth palate continued that woody influence & added up extra character & depth.
A flourish of tannic spice on the rear endeared this rum to me.
An easy & entertaining Demerara Rum that hit the right notes.
Demerara Rums usually hail from Guyana & Thomson’s appears to be made for United Wine Merchants Ltd.
United Wines are a large alcoholic drinks wholesalers operation based in Craigavon who have an eclectic array of drinks to satisfy all tastes.
I was extremely pleased to have encountered their Thomson’s Old Sailor Rum – & also fortunately having my UK bank card handy to purchase the enjoyable lunch in sterling!
Brexit is more of an aspirational idea rather than a clearly thought out plan for Britain to leave the European Union.
No one knows what the future will be like in this new Europe – with or without the UK.
Meanwhile in Austria – Gölles Distillery had a clearly thought out plan.
They grew and harvested 5 types of grain in fields around their distillery. Barley, wheat, rye, corn and spelt.
They double distilled the mash in copper pot stills which they have been using since the 1980’s.
And they matured the spirit in a variety of casks for 4 to 13 years.
They brought their plan to fruition and delivered.
Brexit Whiskey c/othewhiskeynut
I give you Brexit Whiskey.
They make no bones this isn’t a copycat Scottish style of single malt.
They make a big play of the differences. This is a European whiskey. Scottish Whisky Association rules do not apply here.
No Single Malt c/othewhiskeynut
This whiskey has provenance & terroir in abundance. There is no chill filtration and no added caramel. Something sadly lacking in many big brands.
So what does it taste like?
Well – Austria really.
It’s very earthy. There is a complex mix of aromas from the grains used – but for me a soft rye spice rises from the sweet corn & wheat base to entice me in.
A barley smoothness greats you on tasting – where again that dry rye presence makes itself known. Quite what the spelt adds to the mix I don’t know – I’ve never encountered it before in a whiskey – but there is an earthy almost grounded quality to the taste.
A lot of time can be spent musing over the nose, taste & finish of this delightfully complex whiskey trying to figure out which grains adds their own distinctive notes to the final mix.
Kind of sums up what the European Union project was all about. Trying to harmonise together variety & difference in an enjoyable mix.
That’s an admirable idea which certainly has been captured in this bottle of Brexit Whiskey.
Some people might see Britain’s Brexit as a rejection of the European Union – they in turn might also reject Scottish Whisky.
If Brexit Whiskey is anything to go by – I’ll be saying Goodbye Johnny!
As I sit tasting a whiskey, relishing it’s flavours & relaxing in the warmth of the brown spirit – my mind often wanders to the stories contained within the glass.
You could say it’s the ‘Message in a Bottle’ that often excites me.
Coleraine Distillery used to produce first class whiskey. Opened in the early 1800’s – Coleraine made triple distilled malts of distinction before struggling during the two world wars eventually coming under the ownership of nearby neighbour Bushmills. It was converted to a grain distillery in it’s latter years before falling victim to Irish Distillers rationalising plans in the 1970’s when grain production was moved to the New Midleton Distillery & Coleraine closed for good.
This is the Message in a Bottle.
So I took a sip.
Comes with an E & House of Commons logo c/othewhiskeynut
The current incarnation of Coleraine is a budget priced blend trading off it’s past glory. The nose has that e150 caramel characteristic of an entry blend – the taste is rather muted but approachable – the finish is slightly harsh but not unwelcoming – overall no strong flavours, no surprises, but for the price point – it’s grand.
This is the Message in a Bottle.
So I took another sip.
There is no distillery by the name of Coleraine anymore. c/othewhiskeynut
Brexit – for those that don’t know – is the name given to the process by which Britain will leave the European Union after the historic vote in 2016.
Northern Ireland is part of Britain – along with Scotland, England and Wales.
Depending on how the talks go – Northern Ireland will be out of the European Union (EU) by 2019.
As ‘Irish Whiskey’ is an EU definition – Regulation 110/2008 – I’d argue that definition no longer applies post Brexit. I cannot see how a non EU country will be allowed to label itself the same as an EU country.
This is the Message in a Bottle.
So I took another sip.
Neck detail c/othewhiskeynut
Now initially this means whiskey collectors will have a field day. Just think – all the whiskey producers in Northern Ireland will no longer be able to label their produce as ‘Irish Whiskey’.
To the best of my knowledge they are all engaged in making, planning or building a whiskey distillery. After 2019 they will all be out of the EU – and if you click on the names you will be guided to their websites.
Do you think the 27 remaining member states will allow a non-member state to trade under an EU registered label?
I think you will get a resounding non, nein, nie, ne ………… and so on.
This is the Message in a Bottle.
So I continued to sip and ponder.
Post Brexit is Bushmills non-Irish? c/othewhiskeynut
But it gets more complicated.
There is no grain distillery in Northern Ireland.
At one fell swoop all blends produced there will now become whiskey made in an EU country – Ireland – as well as a non EU country – Northern Ireland.
That will go down well with the Brussels bureaucrats!
It was beginning to wreck my head too!
This is the Message in a Bottle.
I needed another sip at this stage.
Ring ring, Brexit calling! c/othewhiskeynut
But wait a minute. Doesn’t Bushmills export some of it’s liquid South for other bottlers & blenders to use?
Won’t that be subject to import taxes & customs control?
Won’t the resultant whiskey become a non EU product or a hybrid whiskey at least?
This is the Message in a Bottle.
And it was all getting a bit too much for me – and another song popped into my head.
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 