We're back with another round up of news from the world of food and drink. This week there's plenty of good news for one Irish distillery and doughnut fans have much to be happy about too.
Plus if you're on the lookout for a new tipple M&S has a new range of hidden gem wines that could introduce you to your new favourite, while Dublin 8's Stillgarden Distillery is hosting an evening of cocktails and creativity. See below for all the info.
Winning ways
Irish whiskeys have been picking up a host of awards on the international stage recently and the latest winner is Dingle Distillery. Its Fourth Single Pot Still bagged both Whiskey of the Year and Best in Show at the London Spirits Competition. The distillery was also awarded gold for its Single Malt Batch No 5 and both Dingle Vodka and Dingle Gin won silver in their respective categories. Speaking about the wins, Elliot Hughes, Managing Director at Dingle Distillery commented, “We are passionate about our customers and our craft and are thrilled this has been reflected in Fourth Single Pot Still winning Whiskey of the Year 2021 along with the recognition of our Single Malt Batch No 5, as well as Dingle Gin and Dingle Vodka.”
Shake it up
Rascals Brewery’s popular Strawberry Vanilla Shake IPA is on sale now – and has summer written all over it. One of the brewery’s most popular beers ever, it’s an IPA brewed with wheat and oats for body, strawberries, vanilla and lactose for sweetness and lots of citra and mosaic hops to boost the fruity milkshake effect. It has an ABV of 5% and comes in 440ml cans - a case of twelve is €54 and mixed cases are available too. You can get it from the Rascals website and from off licenses, including Rascals’ own one in Inchicore Dublin 8, which is open Wdnesday to Sunday from 2pm. Plus for the month of April Rascals is donating €1 from every order to The St James's Hospital Foundation in Dublin.
Sweet thing
This week and next see the arrival of Krispy Kreme doughnuts into a number of Tesco Ireland stores around the country, as well as Circle K’s Kill North store on the N7. The doughnuts are made fresh every day in the Krispy Kreme store in Blanchardstown and are delivered directly to each location. There’s a range of single doughnut favourites including original glazed, lotus biscoff and nutty chocolatta, along with bites and minis. The 20 new locations include Tesco Extra stores in Clarehall, Naas, Maynooth and Balbriggan and Tesco superstores in Tallaght, Navan, Bloomfields, Bray and Ballybrack. For a full list, check the website.
New favourites
If you’re looking for a new wine to try, head to your local M&S store and check out the new Found range. The 12-strong collection is a chance to discover new varieties, regions and styles of wine. Compiled by the winemaking team of Sue Daniels and Belinda Kleinig, the collection champions rare grapes such as the Romanian Feteascã Regalã and highlights familiar grapes from unexpected places like the Argentinian Cabernet Franc. All of the wines in the range are vegan and many of the wineries involved have impressive sustainable credentials such as carbon offsetting schemes, water management programmes or organic and biodynamic farming. Prices start at €10.50 and the Found collection is in M&S stores now.
Cocktails and crafts
Dublin’s Stillgarden Distillery is combining cocktails and art for a special virtual event to mark Earth Day on Thursday 22 April. It’s hosted by artist Sorcha O’Higgins who will talk you through creating your very own collage while you enjoy a cocktail or two. The first option (priced at €50 including your ticket) contains a 200ml community sourced Stillgarden Social Gin, two mixers and ingredients for Tom Collins cocktails. The second (€60) features two 200ml Stillgarden ready-to-pour cocktails from a choice of raspberry soirée, spent-spresso martini or cosmo. Each pack also includes a packet of seeds, two glasses and two garden tour tickets for the Stillgarden distillery in Dublin 8 when government guidelines allow. If you’re outside Dublin book by 12pm on Monday 19 April to guarantee delivery before the workshop. If you’re in Dublin, however, you can book up until 12pm 21 April to ensure next day delivery.
