Whiskey can come in a number of growing ‘finishies‘ these days.
So can beer.
This one is a first for me – cognac barrel finished stout.
Pours a bit lively – but settles down into a rich & sweet style.
Fairly light on the palate, hints of coffee, slight burnt notes & suggestions of sweet fruity cognac.
An entertaining brew!
Sláinte
All images authors own.
Tequila is booming – at least according to a Spirits Business article here – and I’m enjoying the rise of this tasty distilled Mexican beverage.
Especially when it appears in my local Lidl.
Lidl keeps abreast of drinks trends & their own label spirits range is worth exploring – so much so they won Icons Of Whisky Own Brand Supermarket of the year at the 2022 World Whiskies Awards!
Impressive!
So how does their Azteca Tequila Blanco fare?
A welcome earthy agave nose.
Smooth & oily mouthfeel.
The rich agave notes return on the rear with a soft dry peppery spice livening up this very well balanced tequila.
Azteca satisfies my tequila tendencies!
Sláinte
All images authors own.
I’ve been taking an interest into how the lower price range of spirits have reacted to the Minimum Unit Pricing Of Alcohol – MUP.
Previously having featured blogs of both whiskey & rum for sub €20 – and really enjoying a few of them too – MUP wiped all that out to a standard €22.09 for 700ml at 40%.
Now there’s been stories of beer being brewed to a lower ABV to keep to a certain price point. This isn’t an option for spirits with legally enforced alcohol strengths.
Which leaves bottle sizes.
Lidl were ahead of the pack offering their tasty Liberté Rum, Captain Cook Spiced Rum & Rachmaninoff Vodka in 500ml versions to keep prices low.
Buying & consuming less alcohol is one of the stated aims of MUP. Lidl appear to be facilitating this.
Personally I’m all in favour of smaller bottles.
As a blogger I enjoy tasting far & wide. Smaller pack sizes allows a bigger variety for a smaller outlay.
Environmentally it’s a bit of a no no.
Smaller containers means more of them, more packaging, increased costs & ultimately – more waste.
Having said that – when Queen Margot 3yo Scotch appeared in 350ml for just over €11 – I thought I’d give it another spin!
I admire the no nonsense, utilitarian approach & unpretentiousness of this whisky.
There’s a caramel rich nose with a spirity sensation.
Smooth palate, quite rich with hints of warm woodiness.
Suggestions of tannic prickly spice on the rear slowly fading away.
Queen Margot is a perfectly presentable easy drinking dram of a whisky. No rough edges, the usual whisky flavours with an alcoholic warmth too.
If only more brands offered 350ml alternatives I’d probably be inclined to purchase them.
Would you agree?
Sláinte
All photos authors own.
MUP – Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol became a ‘thing’ in Ireland on 4th January 2022.
Pegged at 10 cent per gram of alcohol it has effectively wiped out the sub €20 bottle of spirits I enjoyed reviewing.
Photographing the shelves of Lidl & Aldi beforehand – all stores have to comply – displays a range going from €14.49 for Samuel Joe’s & Western Gold Bourbon to €20 for Bushmills & Jameson Original.
Afterwards all these offerings are at the new minimum price of €22.09.
How the market for those previously sub €20 brands will fare out is hard to predict – I did however purchase a few before the price increase – as is the impact of MUP pricing in reducing the harmful effects of excess alcohol on Irish society.
One thing’s for certain though – The Time’s They Are A Changin’ 🎶
Sláinte
All images authors own.
I do love a whiskey & food pairing
.
This creamy & rich cheddar cheese has a dash of Irish Whiskey in the mix.
Livens up the auld cheese sandwich!
Sláinte
All images authors own.
Maybe it was the pubs being closed?
Spotting these Beer Battered Onion Rings in my local Lidl reminded me of pre-pandemic carefree days.
They made my basket.
They made my oven.
They made my plate.
They brought back memories of the good days,
And yearnings of days yet to come.
Sláinte
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.
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
Continuing my exploration of the fantastically affordable Dundalgan range from Lidl is their Charred Cask Blend.
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, 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!
Perhaps it’s not only the label that’s had an update?
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 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 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
There’s been a sprinkling of articles questioning the price of whiskey.
Rant And Whisky, – Whisky And Wisdom – DairiesOfADramMerchant.
If cost is an issue – look around!
There are an increasing amount of attractively affordable alternatives available.
The Dundalgan range from Lidl is one example.
Comprising of 5 bottles – none above €26 – displaying a broad array of styles & finishes, I’d suggest there’s something to suit all palates.
Having tried the entry level blend – & the entertaining IPA finished single malt – I grabbed the opportunity to sample more in a trio of beer barrel aged whiskey tasting.
Dundalgan IPA Cask Single Malt, 42%
A light, fruity & summery style of malt full of attractive flavours & a touch of character too.
Nice easy drinking.
Dundalgan Stout Cask Single Malt, 42%
A more solid, rich & heavy malt feel about this one. Very engaging – very moreish.
Lovely.
Teeling Galway Bay Stout Cask, Blend, 46%
The delightful bouquet of aromas from nosing were slightly diminished on drinking by the sweet grainy influence. A lighter offering with contrasting deeper notes & a prickly finish.
Very refreshing.
Thoughts
Overall – Dundalgan Stout Cask won the day.
Considering one Teeling costs around two Dundalgans – what price are you prepared to pay for flavour?
Sláinte
The recently released diverse range from Dundalgan Whiskey have benefited from a fresh restyle – especially their standard blend.
Sporting a classic red topped green bottle livery – the labelling proudly displays it’s West Cork Distillers origins & establishes an attractive uniformity to the series.
After being impressed by the IPA cask finished Dundalgan Single Malt – I thought I’d get back to basics with this ex-bourbon matured blend. Well – over 95% of Irish Whiskeys are blends – so says the Irish Whiskey 2010-2020 report.
Golden brown in colour – a soft light honeyed nose greeted me.
Very easy on the palate – gentle vanillas & richer darker caramels gradually made their presence felt.
A frisson of tingly spice on the finish gave a lift to this elegantly simple sipper.
Punches beyond it’s pleasing price point!
Sláinte
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