Time for another round up of things that I’ve recently enjoyed. Welcome to Meascán #2. Regardless of whether I paid for something myself, or was gifted something to try as a press sample or press trip, if I share it here, it’s because I liked it.
Two Stacks Double Irish Cream Liqueur / Dram in a Can
Based out of Newry, Two Stacks is an innovative and modern brand in the world of Irish whiskey. Founded in 2020 by Shane McCarthy, Liam Brogan & Donal McLynn, this business might just be starting to enter their troublesome toddler stage.
These guys don’t distill their own whiskey. Instead they work with distilleries and drinks manufacturers all over Ireland to select spirits which they use to create ‘incredible expressions of whiskey never crafted or tasted before’. That’s a big claim to make.
Why did they catch my eye? Firstly, I’ve really admire their branding and style ever since I first saw the bottles on Instagram. But they really sealed the deal for me with the development of ‘Dram in a Can’. These 100ml servings of whiskey or cream liqueur in a sturdy wee can are super portable, yet classy. This is high quality material for grown-up outdoor or train drinking.
Secondly, their Double Irish Cream Liqueur is simply outstanding. For me, it knocks the competition out of the park. Made in conjunction with Robert A. Merry & Co. in Clonmel, it uses 4 different styles of whiskey, and 8 times more Irish whiskey than the market standard. Just gorgeous.
McConnell’s Distillery Tour
Disclosure: I enjoyed this tour of the McConnell’s Distillery as part of a press trip to Northern Ireland, facilitated by Invest Northern Ireland and Food NI with no expectation of review or comment. All opinions are my own.
The history of McConnell’s whisky (no ‘e’ for McConnell’s thank you) is a common story all over our Ireland. Our once booming and vibrant whiskey industry suffered hugely from the impact of two World Wars and the Great Depression. From a peak of production around the turn of the 20th century, McConnell’s sadly ceased production in the 1930s.
Enter the Belfast Distillery Company, who purchased the rights to the great McConnell’s brand, and set about building a brand new distillery right in the heart of Belfast. Their chosen location could not have been more impactful - the former A Wing of the Crumlin Road Gaol, home to both loyalist and nationalist prisoners.
The end result is a beautifully restored structure, retaining all the elegance of prison design of that period. The three pot stills were inserted into the building during the restoration process, and grain silos are cleverly concealed behind former cell doors. In addition to the distillery tour, it’s also possible to take part in a cocktail making class in their newly finished Long Serve Bar. Tickets start from £25 for adults and £15 for under-18s.
Absolutely recommended when in Belfast.
Rivesci Chili Catsup
I love condiments. Easily one third of my fridge is full of jars of pickles, sauces, relishes and chutneys. Pots of mustard line my kitchen counter top. In my word, life ain’t worth living without a good relish.
The latest relish to earn a place in my superstar line up is the new Chilli Catsup from Clonmel-based Rivesci. Once opened, this gorgeous, sweetish-yet-spicy concoction barely lasted a few days, being used on burgers, sandwiches and cheese.
Available for €5.50 (plus shipping) on Rivesci’s website, or in selected stockists nationwide. Go on, I dare you not to love it.
Trawler Boyz at The Blackbird, Ballycotton
I wish Trawler Boyz was in Dublin. It ticks so many boxes - fresh seafood, perfectly cooked and fun flavour combinations. And for those that care about such things, it’s also super Instagram friendly with huge portions perfect for mukbang action.
Thankfully for my waistline, Trawler Boyz is to be found down south, tucked away at the back of the lovely Blackbird pub in Ballycotton, Co Cork. A traditional pub, the dog-friendly Blackbird is home to a wonderful buzzy beer garden and a regular rotation of live music.
We enjoyed portions of spice bag seafood and crispy satay seafood, both packed with flavour. Some portions are far too big for one human to possibly finish in my opinion, but fear not, the menu also features a selection of smaller dishes.
‘Oyster Isles’ by Bobby Groves
I purchased this book after seeing someone randomly reading it on Instagram. I’m sorry now that I can’t remember who it was as I would like to thank them for bringing this bivalve joy into my life.
Bobby Groves is the Head of Oysters at London restaurant Chiltern Firehouse, and what this man doesn’t know about oysters isn’t probably worth mentioning. In this book, he tours right around the British Isles, visiting a wide variety of oyster producers, imbibing and eating at many fine stops along the way.
In Ireland (let’s be honest, we don’t care about the UK here) he travels on his Norton motorbike from Wexford, through Waterford and Cork, following the Wild Atlantic Way all the way to Donegal, before finishing east over in Carlingford. It’s a veritable, lip smacking, salivating tribute to the humble oyster and the people who love it.
By the end, you’ll be able to identify a native oyster from a rock oyster, and you’ll finally understand that old rule about eating oysters during months containing the letter ‘r’.