Dunnes Simply Better, Barrel Aged Feta Cheese.

Browsing the cheese aisle in my local Dunnes Stores a feta cheese caught my eye.

Barrel Aged Feta c/othewhiskeynut

‘Barrel Aged’ it stated.

What barrels & for how long?

Turns out beechwood for a minimum of 60 days.

Beech Barrels c/othewhiskeynut

I couldn’t discern any wood influence – but enjoying the feta brought me back to lazy beachside days in Greece tucking into a wholesome & fresh feta cheese salad after the previous nights entertainment.

It’s not just whiskey that’s barrel aged!

Sláinte

Hunter’s Glen, 5 Year Old, Premium Scotch Whisky, Blend, 40%

Random town.

I was away for a few days taking advantage of the fine weather.

Random pub.

Entering a bar for the first time always engenders a sense of excitement.

Random whisky.

You never know what to expect.

Spotting the large green label of Hunter’s Glen on the shelf – it immediately stood out as something I’d not had before.

Hunter’s Glen Scotch c/othewhiskeynut

Establishing it was Scotch Whisky and not rum – either would have been acceptable – a glass was ordered.

Mmmmmm.

Standard entry level blend material.

Caramelly nose, sweet, smooth & soft with a hint of smoke enlivening an otherwise easy drinking experience.

But who or what is Hunter’s Glen?

The front label states ‘Clydesdale Scotch Whisky Company’, who are part of the Whyte & Mackay group specialising in supermarket blends for Lidl.

All the way from Greece? c/othewhiskeynut

The back label does mention Lidl, but of Greek origin.

Quite how it ended up in a bar in the West of Ireland is beyond me.

But as a whisky with no pretensions or provenance – I enjoyed it for what it is – a perfectly acceptable everyday sipper with a slightly smoky tingly dryness on the finish.

Sláinte

Header image courtesy of Irish Times article here.