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Issue 60 – 24 August 2016
 
Whisky capitals
 

Ireland's gorgeous capital is a whiskey lover's heaven and for the parched visitor there are many options to navigate. To aid us in our quest we spoke to John Cummins, long-time (but now former) bartender and occasional writer of semi-serious articles like this one here. If you want to find him in Dublin, he'll probably be on a high stool.

Where are the best places to have a dram?
You could do a lot worse than heading to The Palace Bar on Fleet Street, which has a fine selection of whiskeys in beautiful surroundings – it's definitely worth a visit earlier in the day when it's a bit quieter as it tends to get extremely busy later in the evening. My personal favourite place in Dublin is Bowe's, also on Fleet Street; the service is great and with bartenders like Shane McDonagh you have a whiskey encyclopedia at your disposal!

Where would you enjoy a whisk(e)y cocktail?
To grab a whiskey cocktail, head to the Vintage Cocktail Club on Crown Alley where the bartenders are happy to provide you with your heart's desire – the cocktails are excellent and the club itself is a very nice place to relax and take it all in. Another establishment that serves a great cocktail is The Fitzwilliam Hotel. I'm not normally a fan of hotel bars but these guys know their stuff when it comes to cocktails.

Where would you go to dram and dine?
If there's one man in Dublin who knows more about whiskey than Shane McDonagh in Bowe's it's Michael Foggarty at L. Mulligan Grocer in Stoneybatter. He'll also provide you with dinner and give you recommendations of where to go in the city. The food is good and if you're with someone who's not necessarily a whiskey fan, they have a great selection of gins and craft beers that will keep all-comers well-lubricated.

The Palace Bar
The Palace Bar. Photo by Phil Reed
The Vintage Cocktail Club
Vintage Cocktail Club offers a speakeasy vibe
“Bartenders are the real front line of the hospitality industry in Ireland”
How about distilleries in Dublin?
Most of the whiskey distilleries in Dublin died out in the 1970s when production was amalgamated and moved out of the city. You can still visit the sites of the old Jameson Distillery but the only working distillery in the city is Teeling, which has a wonderful tour. Be warned though – you should book in advance because they get very busy, especially during summer.

Where would you shop for whisk(e)y?
The Celtic Whiskey Shop on Dawson Street is head and shoulders above the competition. Don't let the name mislead you – they do sell other things besides whiskey but you'll find a treasure trove of rare and unusual whiskey here from all over the world. They have something for every budget, from the more modest among us to some rare whiskey that's going to make your wallet cry! I have a bottle I bought in here just after it first opened ... I still haven't opened it yet though!

Where to find a whisky hidden gem?
The best way to find a hidden gem is to ask your bartender – they're the real front line of the hospitality industry in Ireland and they'll point you in right direction. I could go through lists but there really are too many fine pubs to list in Dublin – go exploring and see where your nose takes you.

And if you’ve only got 24 hours in the city?
24 hours in Dublin? Go for breakfast in the Queen of Tarts on Dame Street, then walk by Trinity College, up Grafton Street to St Stephen's Green. Take one of the many open-top bus tours in the city; they are entertaining and informative and will cover much more ground than you would do by yourself. Head to a hurling or Gaelic Football match in Croke Park if you can get tickets or head out to Howth on the train and get some seafood and take a stroll by the sea. Afterwards return to the city centre and enjoy a whiskey and a toasted sandwich in Bowe's and then round off your night with a nightcap in the Vintage Cocktail Club. Mostly though, just enjoy the place ...
Where to next?
Next in our series of whisky capitals is Seoul, South Korea. Where would you recommend? Let us know your suggestions for bars, restaurants, shops and sights.
 
Do some Seoul searching
 
Whisky wishlist  
Islay whisky map

Know your way around a glass of Islay whisky but haven't got a clue how to navigate the island itself? Then you'll want one of these gorgeous prints made by Finch and Robin. Beautifully illustrated and nautically themed, it details local wildlife, famous landmarks, and of course, each of the island's renowned distilleries. Hang it on your wall and you can make sure you'll never be distant from a dram when visiting.
Islay have one of them
 
My whisky world
 

RBorn in Mile End in East London, Terry Cashman started bartending at 19 and worked in various bars in East London. By the time he was 25 he started working for the Match Group, in particular Sosho and The East Room. He later ran the bar at Hoxton Pony, followed by a stint as Head Bartender at Callooh Callay. He now manages the team at Tony Conigliaro’s bar in Islington, 69 Colebrooke Row, and spends one day a week at their laboratory, Drink Factory, in Hackney. His favourite cocktail is the Sherry Cobbler. When he's not with one of these, though, you might just find him sipping a Caol Ila, reminiscing on childhood barbecues, maybe even accompanied by an X-Man ...

Do you remember your first taste of whisky?
My first taste of whisky would have been when I was around 19. I'd had Jack Daniels and Cokes before but this was the first time I'd had it neat. I was in Tiger Tiger in the West End, trying to impress my new girlfriend and her friends. I ordered a Glenmorangie. I thought it was vile – but then nobody likes whisky the first time.

What is it that you love about whisky?
The richness, the history and the lovely feeling when you find a new one that you like. It rivals anything the wine world has to offer when it comes to tasting notes as there are so many varieties and most of the time you can’t go wrong as the standard is pretty high.

What's your favourite place in the world to enjoy a whisky?
You can't beat your own home, but if I’m out there’s always the bar I manage 69 Colebrooke Row, which offers some great whisky cocktails. I’ll often have the Rye Rye cocktail when I’ve finished my shift: Rittenhouse Rye, rye syrup and rye angostura bitters. If I head into central London, there's nowhere better to have a beer and a whisky than Ain't Nothing But The Blues, a ramshackle live blues bar – very old, very under-appreciated, and so, so good.

What was the most enjoyable dram you ever drank?
My first Caol Ila knocked me for six. I never imagined something could taste like how I remembered barbecues as a kid, that smokey flavour with a touch of grass. It’s great how a drink can take you back so easily, even to a place where you definitely wouldn’t have been drinking it at the time.

If you could prop up the bar and enjoy a whisky with anyone in the world, who would it be?
I’ve always liked the idea of drinking with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. They look like good fun and they would appreciate a fine whisky. It would have to be in full X-Men character though – headgear, wheelchairs, the lot. What a night.
 
 
Aftershots
 
Here's what caught our eyes on the world whisky web this week. Spotted something you think we'd like? Give us a shout!
 
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Save the date
 
World Whisky Day is on 20 May 2017.
Visit www.worldwhiskyday.com for more information.

 
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