Bushmills has confirmed the permanent release of Bushmills 12 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey, an expertly crafted Irish malt that celebrates the marriage of two single malts matured for at least 11 years in hand-selected Oloroso sherry and bourbon barrels, then finished in Marsala wine casks.

Bushmills 12 Year Old features in the US market under the care of Bushmills’ recently appointed Master Blender, Alex Thomas, and is the first expression to officially debut the brands’ new, elevated bottle and packaging for their single malts.

Bushmills 12 Year Old is unmistakably Bushmills, yet uniquely individual. Like all Bushmills whiskey, the 12 Year Old is made from 100 percent unpeated malted barley, spring water from the River Bush and is triple distilled in small batches in traditional copper pot stills for smoothness.

The distillate distinguishes itself after the marrying of two whiskeys that have aged minimally 11 years – one in Oloroso sherry butts and the other in bourbon barrels. To complete the process, fortified Marsala barriques from Sicily are used for 6-9 months as a finish to the whiskey, layering on extra flavours of ripe spiced fruit, sweet notes of brown sugar, and a delicate toasted nut character.

As whiskey fans across the US continue to explore everything Irish whiskey has to offer, Bushmills’ premium offerings stand out. The distillery claims to have the widest stock available of malts with unique age statements, rare cask types and finishes.

Having first joined the distillery in 2004, Alex Thomas spent over 17 years honing her craft before assuming the role of Bushmills’ Master Blender. She will be responsible for nurturing the Bushmills Irish Whiskey portfolio of aged single malts, spearheading product development and working alongside long time colleague Master Distiller, Colum Egan. Building on the legacy of generations of Bushmills’ whiskey makers to come before her, Alex intends to make her own mark as Master Blender, while holding true to Bushmills recipe and style that has been passed down for centuries.

“The Old Bushmills Distillery holds a very special place in the history of Irish single malt and the whiskey category as a whole, and it is a true privilege to be appointed as Master Blender,” said Alex Thomas. “Bushmills 12 Year Old is an exceptional malt that speaks to our rich brand history and expertise, and I am thrilled that it will be released to the United States for the first time while under my care as Master Blender.”

Bushmills 12 Year Old also marks the debut of a decanter-style bottle and elevated packaging featuring more liquid details. The new bottle and packaging will draw both new and existing consumer attention to Bushmills’ style of single malt whiskey. The design will be implemented across the brand’s current malt portfolio of Bushmills 10, 12, 16 and 21 Year Old Single Malts and several upcoming releases.

Bushmills 12 Year Old is currently available in select markets and quantities throughout the United States.

Pioneering Broughgammon Farm in Northern Ireland has launched an innovative food product in its longstanding focus on sustainability.

The farm enterprise, based in Ballycastle, county Antrim and known throughout the UK and Ireland, for its award-winning range of goat and veal products, has just introduced a nourishing Rose Veal Bone Stock in collaboration with Carol’s Stock Market in Derry, a successful producer of beef, chicken, turkey and vegetable stock stocks as well as broths.

The new Rose Veal Stock is a traditional handmade product without additives and preserves, according to Charlie Cole who runs the farm with wife Becky and other members of his family. “It’s a really tasty stock for a wide range of applications especially soup and gravy,” he explains.

“The stock has a great flavour, deep and layered, as its made with meaty bones and vegetables. The texture it pretty gelatinous, a sign of a top quality stock. It can be used for anything from sauces to soups. Bone broth is also said to contain minerals and plenty of amazing amino acids that help promote a strong body especially the gut and skin. So we drink it by the cupfull!

“The new stock is another important collaboration with a local artisan business and follows on from our successful collaboration with Corndale Free Range Farm charcuterie producer in Limavady on a unique Rose Veal Salami. 

“We appreciate greatly the advice on the recipe and manufacturing expertise of Carol Banahan of Carol’s Stock Market in helping to create the new stock from bones from our free range calves which we provided in our longstanding and strategic focus on sustainability, central to which is commitment to eliminate waste wherever possible throughout the farm,” he adds.

Carol Banahan describes the Rose Veal Stock as “a wonderfully delicious product that I absolutely love working with”.

The new stock is available in 500ml pouches through the Broughgammon website  (www.broughgammom.com  at farmers’ markets and a number of delis in Northern Ireland.

Charlie said recent EU approval would enable the small farm-based company to expand its operations and increase opportunities for further collaboration with other local artisan producers.

Friday 29^th April to 1^st May 2022, Antrim Castle Gardens

Food Pavilion Expression of Interest.

Food stall holders should be producers of local produce.

We would like to offer you the opportunity to register your interest to take a pitch as a food or drink producer, to sell your products on the day.  As space is limited please do let us know of your interest at your earliest convenience. Alcohol can not be sold at this event.

Company Name –
Contact name –
Position in the company –
Telephone number –
Email address –
Website –

Please provide some information on the products you plan to sell on the day of the event:

______________________________________________________________________________

Please return this completed form to Christine christine@nigoodfood.com by Friday 28^th January 2022. Booking forms will be sent out in February. If you have any queries about this please call me on 07735209299.

Participation fees are as follows –

Producer pitch fees – Food NI member rate – £260 plus VAT

Non member rate – £300 plus VAT

Food to go – Member rates – £550 plus VAT

Non member rates – £600 plus VAT

Tea/Coffee/Ice cream rates – Member rates -£400 plus VAT

Non member – £450 plus VAT.

There will be a fee for electricity (cost tbc closer to the event)

This form notes your interest in the event. It is not a booking form and does not guarantee attendance at the event. As stands are limited we may have to select attendees from each food category to ensure a diverse coverage of produce.

McErlain’s Bakery in Northern Ireland, one of the leading craft bakeries, has launched a new selection of its luxury traybake and cupcake treats.

The new products from the family bakery are a response to customers and suppliers in the company’s ongoing market research into the views of regular customers and from its extensive network of suppliers.

High quality flavours and years of baking expertise have gone into the mix to provide an exciting new offering to join the well-known anchor products of firm family favourites. Feedback and on both products has been extremely positive.  They reflect the latest baking trends and the views of younger consumers in particular.

The traybake flavours include Belgian chocolate tiffin, cookie dough salted millionaire and biscoff rocky road whilst a twist on old classics such as caramel slices, raspberry ruffle and fifteens create the perfect assortment to suit all tastes. Cupcake Treats offer chocolate, vanilla and strawberry sponge with whipped frosting topped with eye catching decorations and come in handy four packs to comprise a range for all ages.

Throughout the generations and accompanying transformations, the McErlain brothers insist that two things remain unchanged: McErlain’s reputation for quality and taste.

Slow Food Causeway and Taste Causeway members scooped five out of 10 prestigious Slow Food Northern Ireland Awards.

The awards were held on Friday December 10th in a night of celebration as local businesses across Northern Ireland were recognised for their dedication to deliver quality and sustainable food products and fulfilling the movement’s vision of a good, clean and fair food society.

Created seven years ago in London, the acclaimed Slow Food awards are best known for being “truly democratic” due to no prior shortlisting and decision only by public vote except for the Person of the Year, which is chosen solely by the regional director for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 

Out of the 10 regional awards, five Slow Food Causeway members (who are also members of Taste Causeway) were successful including Best Butcher which went to Corndale Farm in Limavady, Best Baker for Ursa Minor in Ballycastle, Best Fishmonger went to Native Seafood based in Portstewart, while Best Deli or Grocer was awarded to Warkes Deli, also in Portstewart and Veal Charcuterie at Broughgammon Farm was given the Champion Slow Food Product.

Speaking of the awards, Director for Slow Food Northern Ireland, Paula McIntyre said: “It’s a delight to see the public vote recognise the wonderful Slow Food producers and retailers in the region of Northern Ireland, and, in particular, the Causeway Coast and Glens. Coupled with the launch of Slow Food Causeway and the six month series of Slow Food launch events and experiences, these awards, across five of the 10 categories, are further recognition of the commitment of everyone involved in Slow Food Causeway to the global Slow Food movement”.

Slow Food Causeway also celebrates Northern Ireland’s unique culinary heritage with indigenous breeds, fish from loughs, world class produce and progressive artisans contributing to the agri-food sector in the province.

Shane Holland, executive chairman of Slow Food in the UK said the awards were important for bringing increased trade to the area.

He added: “We know how important these awards are – both to the producers and businesses but also shoppers alike. These awards matter to the winners, many of whom experience a large increase in business, and some previous winners have gained new retail opportunities on their wins”.

Slemish Market Garden are the first NI business to have been awarded a Slow Food UK award this year crowned within the Greengrocer of the Year category.

Belfast Coffee Roasters has moved into larger premises and installed a new state-of-the-art coffee roaster on the back of substantial growth in the business over the past 18 months. The small business almost doubled turnover in the period.

The successful business has moved to larger premises at Belfast’s Townsend Enterprise Park – a charitable organisation whose aim it is to stimulate social and economic regeneration.

Owner, Allen Cox believes the growth of the business is down to more people working from home during the pandemic.

He explains: “It has been a very busy 18 months. We are very fortunate that just a few weeks before the pandemic hit, we created our first e-commerce website, the timing couldn’t have worked out better. So, when the stay at home and ‘work from home’ message went out, that’s when we saw demand sky-rocket. Previously the majority of our business relied on sales of our products to coffee shops, restaurants and shops, but as this market closed overnight, a new one eclipsed it. People were no longer able to nip out to buy their favourite brew at the local coffee shop, so, they started to search for a company offering freshly roasted, ethically sourced, coffee that tasted great and could be delivered to their door. Luckily, we were able to fulfil that demand, and we were extremely busy all throughout the entire 18 months. So much so, that I employed a further full-time member of staff, moved to much larger premises and doubled our turnover. From our unit in Townsend Enterprise Park, we were shipping our products all over the world, to places like Argentina, America and even Hong Kong. I am immensely grateful for the support of our loyal customers for our business throughout this time.”

Image: Allen Cox, director Belfast Coffee Roasters pictured with Margaret Patterson McMahon, chief executive of Townsend Street Business Park