After a sell-out success last week, the highly anticipated second evening of Paula McIntyre x Basalt Distillery has officially been announced for December 7th. Prepare to be captivated by a wonderful culinary experience at the beautiful, boutique Elephant Rock Hotel in Portrush. 
Chef Paula McIntyre will once again prepare a delightful selection of canapés perfectly paired with signature cocktails prepared by Basalt Distillery. This time, Glens of Antrim Distillery will feature to prepare a special cocktail for the evening. This extraordinary collaboration will showcase some of the best spirits that Northern Ireland has to offer, including the newly launched Paula McIntyre Rum, promising a night of pure indulgence.
Guests will have the opportunity to embark on a culinary journey, as they are guided through the tasting experience. 
“We are thrilled to host our second event together at the Elephant Rock Hotel,” said Paula McIntyre. “After a wonderful first event with Basalt Distillery, we can’t wait to create another experience for all the food and drink enthusiasts. We are excited to feature Glens of Antrim Distillery who will be introducing a whiskey cocktail to the evening’s menu.”
The Elephant Rock Hotel, with its boutique charm and breathtaking views, provides the perfect backdrop for this event. Guests will be treated to an evening of culinary delights and sensory pleasures, in this unique north coast experience. 
Immerse yourself in the world of Paula McIntyre x Basalt Distillery on December 7^th. Tickets are now available to purchase on www.eventbrite.co.uk. 

FoodNI members Echlinville Distillery and Two Stacks have been successful in the prestigious Irish Whiskey Awards 2023.

Echlinville, which is based in Kircubbin, gained gold for Best Irish Single Cask Irish Whiskey for its Dunville’s 22 year-old Cortado cask Irish Whiskey in the annual awards in Dublin.

Newry-based Two Stacks, the leading Irish independent blender and bonder, gained gold for its unique Irish Double Cream Whiskey Liqueur, which is recently become available in cans building on the outstanding success of its Dram in a Can Irish whiskey in a can.

The Irish Whiskey Awards started in 2013 and the event has gone on to be one of the biggest celebrations of Irish whiskey in the world. There was also Best Blended Irish Whiskey for McConnell’s in Belfast, which is soon to open its new visitor centre at the distillery in a wing of the historic Crumlin Road Gaol.

Basalt Distillery, a pioneering force in the gin industry, is proud to announce the launch of their innovative Eco-Refills, marking a significant milestone in their ongoing commitment to sustainability. Made to pair with their iconic glass bottle inspired by the Giants Causeway, these stylish aluminium bottles are designed to be delivered straight to your doorstep and used for refilling your glass gin bottle at home.

“At Basalt Distillery, we have taken inspiration from the natural wonder of the Giant’s Causeway which sits on our doorstep, with the very water that goes into our gin being filtered by the same basalt rock which formed the Causeway in the first place.  We are passionate about preserving the unspoilt nature of our homeland, while also celebrating its magnificence. The introduction of our Eco-Refills was a conscious decision to make our luxury gin less impactful on nature by reducing waste generation and carbon output.  

Our refillable bottle preserves every intricate aspect of our award-winning three-dimensional gin, ensuring that each sip is a testament to the artistry of our craft. By offering an eco-friendly alternative, we aim to reduce waste and minimize our carbon footprint, all without compromising on the quality that has made Basalt Distillery a recognised name in the industry.” said James Richardson, Co-Founder of Basalt Distillery. 

The distillery’s dedication to making a positive impact on the planet shines through in this forward-thinking solution. Additionally, the new Eco-Refill option is priced at an attractive £32, in comparison to the original Giants Basalt Rock Gin bottle that retails at £40. Now, customers can savour their favourite Basalt Distillery gin while actively embracing a sustainable lifestyle. 

The choice to utilise aluminium for these eco-refills was a carefully considered decision by Basalt Distillery. Aluminium holds the crown as the most common metal on Earth and is well-known as one of the most extensively recycled packaging materials in use today. This metal marvel boasts an impressive 76.2% recycling rate for aluminium packaging across Europe— one of the highest among all materials. The sustainability of aluminium stems from its infinite recyclability, forming the backbone of its environmental benefits. But that’s not all— the recycling process for aluminium requires significantly less energy compared to the production of new aluminium, resulting in an impressive 95% reduction in energy usage. 

What’s more, these aluminium bottles are a true featherweight, weighing about 87% less than their glass counterparts. This not only enables more fuel-efficient transportation, but also plays a role in reducing the distillery’s carbon footprint. Recycled aluminium can even have a lower CO2 footprint compared to other materials like glass, plastic, and cardboard. By opting for aluminium in their eco-refills, Basalt Distillery is wholeheartedly aligning with their commitment to the environment, showing us that sustainability and enjoyment can go hand in hand. 

“We’re incredibly excited about the launch of our Eco-refills as the next step in our sustainability mission. By providing a reusable option for our customers, we’re collectively taking actions to safeguard our planet for future generations.” said Martha Garbe, Co-Founder of Basalt Distillery. “The launch of our eco-refills has come at the perfect time for our brand as Giants Basalt Rock Gin is showing rapid growth in both local and international markets, partially due to the recognition that we have received in the spirit awards throughout the year.”

This year, Basalt Distillery have achieved Gold in the highly esteemed Blas na hÉireann Awards for the Best White Spirit and Liqueur, as well as two-stars in the Great Taste Awards, Silver in the International Wine and Spirits Awards, and Best Contemporary Gin in the Gin & Tonic Awards Sweden. 

Basalt Distillery Eco-Refills are now available for purchase on their online store (www.basalt-distillery.com), offering gin enthusiasts a chance to make a sustainable choice without compromising on exceptional taste. Together, let’s raise a glass to a greener and brighter future!

About Basalt Distillery 

Basalt Distillery represents a departure from traditional craft distilling with an emphasis on the latest sustainable process, cutting edge technology and an unrivalled focus on precision. The distillery was established in 2020 by James Richardson and Martha Garbe who both have a background in chemical engineering. The dramatic basalt coastline of Northern Ireland inspired their first product, Giants Basalt Rock Gin that launched in July 2022.

Giants Basalt Rock Gin is forged just a stone’s throw from one of the world’s most captivating geological wonders: The Giant’s Causeway. The basalt rock beneath the distillery provides a natural filter for the water in their own 600ft borehole, imparting a unique taste and mineral composition into their products.

Inside the distillery itself, state-of-the-art technology delivers energy efficiency and ultimate precision. Find out more at www.basalt-distillery.com

• The new bottle design, featuring up to 70% recycled glass, will roll out across Two Stacks’ portfolio, beginning with the new Polaris 2.1 release 
• Each bottle features a branded all-natural cork stopper 
• This Christmas, Two Stacks will also launch its award-winning Double Irish Cream Liqueur in the brand’s signature 100ml can format 

Wednesday 29^th November: Two Stacks Irish Whiskey has revealed a new bottle design, featuring up to 70% recycled glass, as part of its commitment to innovation, quality and environmental responsibility. 

As one of Ireland’s only independent bonders and blenders, Two Stacks is breaking boundaries to sustainably produce unique and creative Irish whiskey expressions, and the new embossed bottle design, complete with branded natural cork stoppers, marks the business’ next steps in championing eco-consciousness. 

The new bottles are the result of a two-year research and development process, aiming to further reduce Two Stacks’ carbon footprint and pioneering new sustainable practices within the industry. 

The groundbreaking bottle design will be rolled out across the Two Stacks’ portfolio, debuting as part of the next chapter in the Polaris collection, which launches this week.  

The new release, the Two Stacks 7-Year-Old Pot Still, is a masterclass in balance and innovation, blending the rich heritage and tradition of Irish whiskey with a bold, unique nine-month finish in Dry Red Wine Tokaji Pinot Noir casks. Embracing the art of evolution, this whiskey is a journey through time and technique, paying homage to the impressive craftmanship behind Irish whiskey and fine wine. 

Speaking on the new bottle design, co-founder, Shane McCarthy said, “We’re dedicated to setting new standards of excellence in Irish whiskey, and championing sustainability and accessibility in all that we do. We’ve seen other brands prioritising expensive ultra-clarity glass in their bottling when it has no effect on the quality of the spirit inside, and the reality is that this premium is passed on to customers to pay. 

We’re incredibly proud to unveil our new embossed branded bottle design, made from recycled glass and natural branded cork. It’s important to us that our packaging reflects our core values and ethos, driving our sustainability strategy forward and helping shape the whiskey industry of tomorrow. We’re also introducing a reusable bottle bag with this release, to encourage people to reduce waste and overpackaging, but still provide a premium gift bag, perfect for carrying your whiskey bottles or cans.” 

This Christmas, Two Stacks is also launching its award-winning Double Irish Cream Liqueur in the brand’s signature 100ml can format. As the world’s first Irish cream liqueur to blend four different styles of whiskey and use eight times more Irish whiskey than the market standard, Two Stacks Double Irish Cream Liqueur has acquired a cult following, securing a listing in Tesco stores across Northern Ireland in September this year. Offering drinkers a new way to enjoy their favourite festive tipple, the 100ml Double Irish Cream Liqueur will mean whiskey lovers can enjoy a festive favourite on-the-go. 

Double Irish Cream In A Can will be available to buy exclusively on twostackswhiskey.com, with limited numbers released as part of a Polaris 2.1 bundle on Friday 1^st December. Each bundle will also include limited edition Two Stacks x NearyNógs chocolate truffles and Two Stacks’ new reusable bottle bag. General release of Double irish Cream In A Can will begin on Sunday 10^th December online and in select stores. Double Irish Cream In A Can is 17.5% ABV and priced at £3.50 per 100ml can. Two Stacks 7-Year-Old Pot Still Irish Whiskey is 56.5 ABV and priced at £89.99, available to buy exclusively at twostackswhiskey.com. To find out more, and for more stockist information, visit twostackswhiskey.com.  

A limited release of Old Comber Irish Whiskey has been announced by Food NI member Echlinville Distillery in Kircubbin, Co Down.

According to the distillery, which revived the historic Old Comber whiskey brand, the whiskey boasts notes of fresh vanilla pods, toffee apples and battenburg cake.

The small batch release is limited to two bottles per customer and is priced at £55.

One of the original Irish whiskey giants, Old Comber Whiskey was founded in 1825 and produced at the Comber Distilleries, which were located in Comber – just ten miles from where Echlinville now stands.

Comber Distilleries closed in 1953 and Old Comber joined the list of Ireland’s lost whiskeys.

Echlinville acquired the brand and revived the pot still whiskey in 2021 on a limited basis.

Old Comber was one of Ireland’s most celebrated whiskey brands. Famed for more than a century for its quality and bold flavour, its loss was lamented by whiskey enthusiasts around the world.

Echlinville is incredibly proud of its roots. From rolling barley fields to huge malting houses and one of the largest distilleries in Ireland, County Down and the area around Strangford Lough, in particular, has a strong whiskey heritage. Comber and its distilleries was widely regarded as the home of double distilled pot still whiskey.

The Errigal in Belfast, is home to the latest Exclusive Single Cask Release from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, produced by Food NI member Echlinville Distillery in Kircubbin.

Dunville’s has collaborated with the iconic bar on the city’s Ormeau Road to release cask 1541 – a single cask bottling of 13 year old Irish Single Malt Whiskey with an exceptional Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask finish.

275 bottles at cask strength 55.7% abv were available exclusively from The Errigle Inn on Saturday 25 November 2023 at a special introductory price of £150 per bottle. 

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey and TheEchlinville Distillery, said: “The Errigle Inn is one of Belfast’s oldest and best-known bars and is full of history, tradition and character. It is a proud part of city’s heritage and has stood the test of time, just like Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. It makes perfect sense for us to collaborate with Philip and his team this exclusive single cask from The Spirit of Belfast.

“With notes of ripe orchard fruits, stewed pears, dark stone fruits, spiced apple strudel and candied orange peel, cask 1541 boasts the big hitting PX sherry cask flavours that Dunville’s fans know and love, and the quality that they expect.

“The Single Cask Series is all about exceptional whiskey without compromise, with each cask selected from among the finest in our warehouses. Cask 1541 is aworthy addition to the series and will be right at home at The Errigle Inn.”

Phil McGurran, from The Errigle Inn, said:  “We have been really excited to work with the team at The Echlinville Distillery and Dunville’s Irish Whiskey to produce this fine whiskey. My father Philip G McGurran was approaching his 80th Birthday and we wanted to mark the occasion with a fitting tribute to his many years running The Errigle Inn, and his dedication to the licensed industry.   “I know he is fond of a good whiskey and when asked what he would like for any special occasion he confirmed this.  He was really pleased and impressed with the whiskey when we presented it on the day of his 80th birthday. I know that our customers will love this quality whiskey. We will take great pride to work with Dunville’s here at The Errigle Inn with this exceptional single cask release.”