TalkTV: Ireland vs Wales

This week on TalkTV with Mike Graham, Helena redeems herself for a poor show of Welsh drinks for St David’s Day while showcasing some of Ireland’s finest for St Patrick’s Day. It’s an Irish-Welsh mash up!

Killowen Pangur Irish Poitin

Poitin is the classic, Irish spirit that has a reputation for being utterly lethal. There certainly was truth in this as it wasn’t until 1997 that Poitin production became legal and regulated. Before that, it was essentially home made moonshine. This premium spirit from Killowen Distillery in the Mournes, County Down, was inspired by the famous white cat in the 9th century poem 'Pangur Bán' and is a 50-50 marriage of two Poitin’s, one from tiny Killowen and one, a much bigger distillery across the way. Try it neat or in cocktails.

Find it for £41.77 at KWM Wine and at the Killowen Distillery

Killowen Gloria Coffee Liqueur

Micro distillery Killowen have aced it with this gorgeous coffee liqueur, made with cask aged Poitín vatted together with rich, natural ground coffee before being left to rest for six months in an ex-bourbon cask. The result is a smooth, complex drinking liqueur. Lovely on its own with ice or as part of a cream liqueur-based cocktail.

Find it for £35.50 from Irish Malts

Killowen Distillery features in Episode one of The Three Drinkers in Ireland, streaming live on Amazon Prime! If you have not watched it yet, let us know what you think! Watch Now!

Ancre Hills Blanc de Noirs

Fine wine from Wales, claxon! This serious sparkler hails from 12 hectares of organic and biodynamic vineyards close to the border town of Monmouth and the Wye Valley in Monmouthshire. 100% Pinot Noir, barrel fermented and aged on the lees for 2-3 years, this classy sparkler is creamy and brioche-scented with tonnes of red fruit notes.

Find it for £39.99 from Grape Britannia

Merlyn Welsh Cream Liqueur

I never thought I’d say this, but Merlyn gives Baileys a proper run for its money. Wow. So rich and creamy, not confected, a bit of chocolate and spice… it has it ALL! I could bath in this. Wonderful Welsh cream. Buy it.

Find it for £17.35 from The Whiskey Exchange

talk RADIO: Irish Drinks for St Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick’s Day! And what an important one it is for us at 3DHQ as we launch our second global TV series on Amazon Prime: The Three Drinkers in Ireland! Whoop Whoop!

To celebrate the launch, Aidy and I are raising a few glasses with Mike Graham at talkRADIO taking in some fabulous Irish tipples:

The Irish Mule

This super simple highball cocktail is a take on the famous version made with vodka and features just three ingredients. Simply fill a highball glass with ice, pour over the whisky and lime, then stir. Top up with ginger beer and garnish with mint.

50ml Irish Whiskey (We’re tasting Slane triple Casked Irish Whiskey)
25ml Fresh lime juice
Ginger beer to taste
A sprig of mint to garnish.

Find Slane Irish Whiskey at Master of Malt for £20.95 in a flash sale, or Waitrose, Amazon, Ocado and more for circa £30

Irish Gin & Tonic

Where there is whiskey produced, you will often also find gin or vodka and there are some stunning gins coming out of Ireland these days. Try this unique Donegal gin, aged in Spanish red wine cakes, which give it a red berry burst of flavour and a pink tint.

25ml Irish Gin (We’re tasting An Dúlamán, Santa Ana, Navy strength gin from Slaibh League Distillers)
Indian Tonic to taste.
Garnish with freeze dried red berries.

Find Santa Ana Gin at Amazon, Master of Malt for circa £45

Chocolate Baileys

This Irish Cream needs no introduction and their chocolate version is even more indulgent than the original! If you’re a fan of double chocolate magnums, think of that melted in a glass - with booze. 

Find it at Tesco for £18

Poìtin

This is literally ’the mother of all whiskeys’ a spirit that used to be distilled from just about anything - sugar beet, potato.. Made illicitly all over Ireland and akin to an Irish Moonshine. It was lethal! Since 1997, production has been regulated and here’s one that is actually rather lovely. It’s made by Killowen Distillery in Northern Ireland and is peachy and aromatic with spicy notes.

Find it at Killowendistillery.com for £34.50

To watch The Three Drinkers in Ireland head over to Amazon Prime Video in your country now!