Last week we ran out our very first whiskey tasting train, and we’re pleased to say that it was a raving success. We’re looking forward to hosting a similar event in the not-too-distant future, especially since so many of our volunteers are keen to try it out for themselves.
Combining County Down’s distilling and railway heritage, our passengers were treated to four whiskeys sourced from distilleries located along the route of the former Belfast & County Down Railway, which closed in 1950. We offered a diverse range of distillation styles and ingredients, providing an overview of the variety of whiskies produced in our local area. Our journey to Inch and back started with McConnell’s 5-year-old (from Belfast), followed by a dram of The Copeland Distillery’s Single Grain (from Donaghadee); we then stopped for something sweet with Hinch Distillery’s Madeira Cask Double Wood edition (from Ballynahinch), and finished on a high note with Shortcross’s Malt and Rye (from Crossgar). We’re already looking into expanding our selection for next time.
Armed with unique railway/whiskey maps, crackers, customised coasters, pipettes, and plenty of tasting glasses, the amazing Craig Fyfe of Fyfe’s Spirit expertly guided our passengers on a “spiritual” journey along the old BCDR. Craig has worked in the drinks industry for almost two decades, leading tastings across Europe from Cologne to Crossgar. As someone with a passion for Irish whiskey, storytelling, and local heritage, we couldn’t have asked for a better host than Craig – and our passengers certainly agreed.
We’re extremely proud to #SupportLocal and showcase a craft which has been celebrated in County Down for hundreds of years.
For details about our next tasting event, keep an eye on our social media or sign up to our mailing list.