17 February 2023

Hyde Whiskey Tweet Tasting


Fancy some Irish whiskey fuelled dramfotainment this St Patrick’s Day? Well as ever, allow us to very gladly oblige!
 
We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that on Friday March 17th, we’ll be teaming up again with our friends at the multi-award-winning Hyde Irish Whiskey, to pour and explore their Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.
 
If you would like to take part in another epic evening of all things Irish and celebrate with something sipsational this St Patrick’s Day click here to register by emailing your name, address, mobile phone number, date of birth and Twitter handle. Also, please remember to mark the subject line with the hashtag: #HydeWhiskey
 
The closing date to register is March 3rd, and if you are registering to take part please make sure that you will actually be free on the evening of Friday March 17th to take part!
 
Even if you're not one of the selected tasters, it'd be great to have you following all the evenings dram-craic-spankery. So we look forward to seeing you over on Twitter on March 17th from 19:00 GMT via #HydeWhiskey
 
Registration open to over 21's only!
 
For more info on Hyde Whiskey visit: hydewhiskey.ie
 
@TheWhiskyWire
@HydeWhiskey
#HydeWhiskey
#BePartOfTheDramfotainment
#TheHomeOfTheTweetTasting


9 February 2023

120th Whisky Insiders Interview - Paul Dempsey


Company:
Brave New Spirits
Job:
Sales & Marketing Director
Website:
Socials:
@BNS_Whisky



How long have you been working in the whisky industry?
I originally started working with wine, then moved to spirits with drinks distributor Cellar Trends (now Amber Beverage) in 2002, where the first whisky brand I worked with was Arran. More recently I was Commercial Manager at the Speyside Distillery, and since last year Sales and Marketing Director at the independent Scotch whisky blenders and bottlers Brave New Spirits.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?
No single highlight but I have plenty to choose from. Presenting for the Spirits Selection competition in China. Seeing a whisky go from cask to bottle and winning one of the biggest awards in the industry. Also working with bands like Slipknot & Slayer - endorsees for a spirit brand I was working with at the time.
 
Can you remember your first dram, and indeed what it was?
My first single malt was an Arran, at the distillery in 2002 – it was my first distillery visit too. It’s amazing to see what the Isle of Arran team have achieved after being brave enough to launch a distillery in Scotland in the 1990’s.
 
What does whisky mean to you?
Whisky means opportunity for friendship, fun, adventure and creativity!
 
Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time?
Still working with and enjoying the whisky world, and to seeing more and more people enjoying our bottlings around the world!
 
What was your last dram?
My last dram was a 14 year old Glen Moray single cask, that we bottled late last year under our “Cask Noir” series. 
 
Do you have a favourite whisky and food pairing combination?
I’m always experimenting, but salmon or seared scallops with a lightly peated whisky is definitely up there.
 
What’s your favourite time and place to enjoy a dram?
A cosy room with an open fire, on a cold winters evening is always my favourite. But one of my most memorable times was when having my first Bowmore, whilst standing on the sea wall next to the distillery during a January storm. 
 
What do you think is going to be the next big thing on the whisky horizon?
The large number of new distilleries continuing to show the world that whisky doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive, old or super-rare in order to be excellent!
 
What’s the one dram you couldn’t live without?
I’m still a huge fan of Arran, and always seem to have a bottle of theirs in the house somewhere. So probably one of their cask finishes like their superb Amarone cask, from their pre age-statement days.
 
Many thanks to Paul Dempsey. Who will be our next Whisky Insider? Click back soon to find out!