McCormack’s Irish Whiskey was brought to my attention by a random tweet featuring a photo of a French supermarket spirits shelf.
The discussion mainly revolved around the varying prices brought about by the taxes charged in the respective countries – but what interested me was the fact that sitting beside a well known staple – Bushmills – is a brand unheard of in Ireland – McCormack’s.
A bit of digging reveals it to be a West Cork Distillers brand. For it to be listed in LeClerc stores suggests it’s quite a big seller. A European Supermarket Magazine article from January 2024 has E.Leclerc as the largest retail chain in France – view article here.
Being a blogger I purchased both – with the express intention of doing a back-to-back taste comparison.
Honouring accepted practice I started with the lowest ABV first.
Sainsbury’s Napoleon Brandy VSOP, 36%
Now it doesn’t state Sainsbury’s on the front of the rather plain label – but it’s clearly displayed on the rear.
There’s a confusing trio of terms giving mixed messages.
‘Napoleon’ denotes aged in oak & ‘Aged 3 Years’ is the youngest of the blending components – but ‘VSOP’ suggests 4 years in Cognac terms. Perhaps it doesn’t mean the same for Brandy?
Presented in a plastic bottle at 36% & labelled as Brandy clearly reduces the costs – but does it impact on the flavour?
Golden brown in colour. Soft nose of gentle sweet dark plums follows through into a mild – yet rich & warming – palate. Develops a slightly prickly finish fading slowly away.
An attractive easy going brandy with a touch of flair on the rear.
Courvoisier VSOP Cognac, 40%
Courvoisier pours an identical colour to Napoleon. The nose is rather shy too – but lifted by hints of woodiness. A similar mild palate grows with tannic spiciness on the rear.
The woody oakiness lifts this Cognac’s appeal.
Thoughts
For such a large price difference I was expecting a lot more from Courvoisier.
What I experienced were 2 very similarly tasting brandies with only the extra ageing giving an oaky lift to the cognac.
Given Sainsbury’s lists the 70cl bottles at £11.50 for Napoleon & £38 for Courvoisier – I’d rather spend my money exploring other brandy varieties before choosing the big brand again.
Sláinte
Prices listed March 2023 on Sainsbury’s webpage here.
Usually I stop at the last supermarket before the ferry to top up on haggis & booze that isn’t readily available in Ireland.
Sadly the Asda in Girvan had only 1 haggis left & it was too early in the morning for alcohol sales – so another plan emerged.
Sainsbury’s in Lisburn provided my needs.
There are no Sainsbury’s in Ireland – hence Argos pulling out – but Northern Ireland has them – so I indulged in some supermarket spirits.
I do enjoy trying out this category. There can be some good ones & being only a 35cl serving the outlay is minimal. Pity there’s little choice in this size.
Crag & Glen is Sainsbury’s own bottling. It has a suitably bold name that conjures up romantic notions of rugged Highland scenery, magnificent stags & warm drinks by a roaring fire.
Can tasting the whisky match the imagery?
First thing I notice is the golden brown hue of this 3 year old – very suggestive of added colouring & chill filtering – which you kinda have to expect at this price point.
The nose is mild, caramelly & honeyed sweet.
The label very aptly displays ‘smooth & rounded‘ – an accurate descriptor of the mouthfeel.
The finish is the best bit for me – a warm juiciness topped off with joyful prickliness leaving a dry lip-smacking finale.
As basic supermarket brands go Crag & Glen lives up to it’s imagery – minus the roaring fire!
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.
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 