Celebrating 'World Whisky Day' with a Belfast walking tour
There was lots of Irish whiskey, but thankfully not too much walking on a special event to celebrate one of Ireland's fastest growing exports.
Last updated 19th May 2017
As the type of person who always picks the glass of whiskey in online personality quizzes, I didn't have to think twice before accepting a place on a special walking tour in Belfast to celebrate World Whisky Day (Saturday May 20th).
Organised by Dillon Bass (owners of the largest Irish whiskey portfolio in Northern Ireland, including brands like Jameson, Powers and Redbreast) and hosted by Taste and Tour it was a very laid-back meander through Belfast city centre on a sunny Thursday evening.
Our lively group of 13 was guided through a three hour Powers Whiskey odyssey by Taste and Tour's Phil Ervine and Powers Whiskey Ambassador Joe Magowan.
Phil provided the bars and the historical backdrop, while Joe expertly informed us on the Powers production process and each of the different types we tried on the evening.
Phil's knowledge of the Cathedral Quarter and its drinking establishments was extensive and quirky. Anyone familiar with the slightly odd looking wooden frame outside the Dirty Onion might be intrigued to know that building was a whiskey warehouse from 1921 to 1991 distributing Jameson. It is also one of only three still-standing wooden framed listed buildings in Ireland and is Belfast’s oldest building.
He told us about Taste and Tour's inspiration for the Whiskey Walks.
"We've got the Belfast Food Tour which has been very successful and we decided to dabble in whiskey. We have Joe on board as our Irish whiskey ambassador and we just want to show off the bars of Belfast and try to teach people about Irish whiskey as a category.
"We've been fully booked every tour - I can't ask for anything more. We've held quite a few private tours as well and the feedback has been fantastic and I really enjoy taking them as well."
We started our walk at the Jaffe Fountain outside Victoria Square where Joe explained how Irish whiskey is different from others (it's triple distilled) and also gave us a taste of the pot still which forms the basis of Powers (84% proof and surprisingly tasty!). From there we made our way to Bittles Bar which according to Phil is the smallest pub in the city and is also the last remaining with the distinctive "steaming iron" shape.
As well as our first Powers of the evening (Gold Label - served neat, or with soda water) we were treated to a history of the bar through bombs in the troubles, to the art work on the walls and the heart-breaking tale of how a very (very very very) expensive bottle of Middleton whiskey had recently met a horrible end on the bar floor while builders were carrying out work.
These type of stories were peppered throughout the evening and left us with the sense being educated while getting merry. Phil says storytelling is very important part of the tour: "I want everyone to leave with a little anecdote, a little bit of knowledge of Belfast they didn't know that they can share over the dinner table."
Our next stop was The National where we were shown how to make an Old Fashioned and were give a history lesson on what makes a cocktail and cocktail. (Originally only a drink containing whisky could call itself a cocktail.)
From there it was a short walk across the road to the bar in the Bullitt Hotel and this time it was a lesson on how to make an Irish coffee. Powers Gold Label, good espresso, brown sugar, and double cream are apparently the secret to the perfect after-dinner treat.
After everyone was suitably perked up we moved on to one of the Cathedral Quarter's newest ventures - The Friend At Hand. If you, or anyone you know has a love of Irish whiskey then this has to be on your list of places to visit. A specialist shop stocking practically every variety of the drink you can even imagine and beyond that again. Unsurprisingly more whiskey was had and goodness only knows what the group photo which was taken looks like!
Our night was brought to a suitably refined end with a whiskey 'flight' in the Merchant Hotel.
This was when Joe's knowledge and expertise really came to the fore. He talked us through tasting three of the more high-end brands which Powers makes. The Signature, Three Swallows and John's Lane. I can truly say that even after a night of whiskey drinking the John's Lane was the best I've ever tasted. Smooth, creamy and full of flavour. It was the perfect end to a very enjoyable evening.
Irish whiskey is the fastest growing spirit in the world with exports growing over 300% in the last decade.
Joe says in Northern Ireland in particular, brands like Jameson are in double-digit growth:
"Powers is in growth as well. There's a real surge in interest and I think it's well overdue.
"Overall people seem to be more invested in quality now. They are prepared to spend a little bit extra I think because money is tighter people think well if I am going to buy something I might as well buy something nice."
And he says more growth is inevitable.
"For us tourism is a big thing. There are now a lot of people coming here to drink Whiskey. It's a slow burner, so I think we are going to see a lot more of it over the next few years. So building tours like this is definitely us getting ready for it."
Joe had this advice for inexperienced Irish whiskey drinkers who want to learn more: "Come on one of our Whiskey Walks - we'll take you through the whole journey of whiskey, from mixed drinks to neat serves. Just keep trying it - I got into it through mixed drinks - whether it's through whiskey and ginger ale or through something like an Old Fashioned cocktail. I don't think people realise it is a very versatile drink - so just try it!"
And Phil agrees that whiskey seems to have hit a note with younger drinkers:
"Mixed drinks have helped considerably. I think cocktails have brought whiskey to life for some people. It doesn't have that reputation any more of being that old man beside the fire."
He's encouraging anyone who's interested in the Whiskey Walking Tours to come along.
"They will enjoy lots of whiskey - not that much walking! And lots of craic, so it's just a very casual night and everybody leaves in very good form."
And he says there's more to come from Taste and Tour in the future - "We've got about another three or four tours in the pipeline. Some drink related, some food related. But we are keeping it top secret!"