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.
Old Creamery Irish Whiskey Cheese, 0.5%
Tag Archives: Lidl
Lidl De Luxe Beer Battered Onion Rings
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
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.
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.
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
What Price Whiskey Flavour? – 2 Dundalgans & a Teeling, Beer Barrel Aged Whiskey, 42% to 46%.
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
Dundalgan Irish Whiskey, Blend, 40%
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
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!
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.
Next up – the ubiquitous Jameson in Original, Black Barrel & Caskmates varieties.
Irishman Single Malt made an appearance.
Kinahan’s popped up with their tasty Kasc Project.
Kilbeggan followed.
With Paddy being the last whiskey.
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!
Sláinte
Header image c/oextra.ie
Dundalgan Single Malt, IPA Edition, 42%
A few years ago I walked into a Scottish supermarket & noted the variety & depth of whisky choices far exceeded that provided in similar Irish stores.
Well not any longer!
Lidl have just released 5 different styles of whiskey under their own exclusive Dundalgan brand – made for them by West Cork Distillers.
Comprising of a blend, charred cask blend & 3 single malts finished in Stout, IPA or Sherry casks – there’s a bottle to suit every palate!
Having recently enjoyed West Cork’s own Stout Cask – I thought I’d diversify into the Dundalgan IPA.
I wasn’t disappointed!
A fresh, light, bright & gently fruity note greeted me with a bit of depth.
Quite rich on the palate, the IPA cask brought some interesting & complex notes to this malt.
A touch of welcoming spice & gentle prickliness on the finish gave character to this engaging edition.
Ironically I’m not an IPA fan when it comes to beer – I find them too bitter – but this Dundalgan whiskey works a treat!
Makes me want to try out the whole range!
Sláinte
3 White Rums for Under €20
There’s some tasty bargains to be had for under €20 – if you’re prepared to explore.
Contrary to popular myths these supermarket offerings certainly don’t all taste the same – and nor are they short on flavour either!
Today’s comparison are 3 White Rums currently available from 3 large multiples across Ireland.
All are presented at 37.5% ABV with minimal information as regards distillery of origin or processes used.
Old Hopking from Aldi, ‘Bottled In Germany’, failed to excite me.
A floral nose – reminiscent of gin – put me off & the taste was rather bland too.
JG Kinsey from Dunnes, ‘Bottled In The UK’ with ‘Imported Caribbean Rum’ impressed.
A soft funky aroma followed through on the palate with a pleasing peppery finish.
Liberté from Lidl & ‘The Réunion’ proved enticing.
An impressive fruity funk flowed through both the nose & palate finishing of with a joyful prickliness.
For elegantly displaying the essence of rum, Liberté is my winner – with JG Kinsey a close 2nd.
I’d happily buy both again.
You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a tasty rum!
Sláinte
Ron Baraguá,Oak Aged Dark Rum, 37.5%
Well this is unusual!
A tamper proof cap on an Irish released rum. Not encountered that before.
But then this is a Dominican Republic Rum, bottled in Spain by Teichenné & purchased at my local Lidl.
Having said that – it wasn’t around for long. I’ve not seen it gracing the shelves since.
A soft caramelly nose.
Mild & easy on the palate.
Vanilla & caramels develop – along with a touch of dry tannic woodiness.
There’s an attractive prickly spice on the long finish which adds to the character of this very easy going rum.
Another bargain basement beauty!
Sláinte
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 