My most coveted flavours of winter include the warmth of ginger and seasonal lemons. Reminiscent of my childhood, I carry this classic, aromatic combination with me annually throughout the throes of the Cape Town cold.
Introduction
I was recently gifted a bottle of Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey, the perfect addition to my winter-warming arsenal. Introduced to the South African market in 2021, it’s one of the latest Irish Whiskey offerings for connoisseurs to enjoy. It won silver at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 and at the 2022 London Spirits Competition.
Background
Founded by Samuel Gelston, a prosperous wine and whiskey merchant from Belfast, in 1830, the Irish malted barley (10%) and grain (90%) blend is triple distilled for smoothness and matured in the finest ex-bourbon oak casks to produce a flavour-rich, expressive whiskey that’s smooth and easy to drink with a natural sweetness.
Samuel Gelston’s name is synonymous with quality and innovation. Since the 12th century it’s been thought that Irish whiskey was one of the earliest distilled drinks in Europe. It is believed that Irish monks brought the technique of distilling perfumes back to Ireland from their travels to southern Europe around 1000 AD. The Irish then modified this technique to obtain a drinkable spirit. One thing that the Irish and Scots still disagree on, is who invented whiskey (spelled without the E if referring to Scotch). But nevertheless, Irish whiskey is still delicious and is the perfect accompaniment for any occasion.
Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey
Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey is made from a blend of locally sourced Irish malted barley and grain that is triple distilled for smoothness then matured in the finest quality ex-bourbon oak casks. This combination of triple distillation plus the finest ingredients and cask aging creates an elegantly smooth yet expressive whiskey with rich flavours that can be savoured neat, over ice or mixed into a long refreshing serve.
Ginger Gold Rush cocktail
With notes of ripe stone fruit, candied citrus, palate-coating honey and just a gorgeous amount of spice, this whiskey seemed like the perfect blank canvas for a cocktail. Whilst I relished a neat sip of Samuel Gelston, I mulled over how to incorporate its natural sweetness with bold, contrasting flavours of lemon and ginger.
The versatility of this smooth whiskey makes it a great staple spirit for mixing or sipping, depending on the mood. With its pale golden hue and promises of an earthy, oaky embrace, I asked The Tall One to put together a couple of Ginger Gold Rush cocktails with fresh lemons from our tree.
Ingredients:
(makes two drinks)
4 shots Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey
2 shots ginger liqueur (I used the Luckybird African Ginger Flavoured Syrup)
2 shots fresh lemon juice
Lemon twirls to serve
Method:
Add whiskey, ginger liqueur and lemon juice to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well blended and chilled. Strain into two glasses and garnish with lemon twirls.
In conclusion
A delightful cold-season cocktail, it’s exactly what the doctor ordered. Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey is available at most leading liquor retailers and online at Takealot and Liquor Drop (www.liquordrop.co.za) and distributed by Halewood South Africa.
For more information please visit https://halewood.co.za/samuel-gelstons-irish-whiskey/
Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely those of The Little Hedonist, given in good faith and in no way influenced by the company or its affiliates. All images, unless otherwise stated / credited, are also my own.
The Little Hedonist endorses responsible drinking.
Don’t drink and drive. Not for persons under 18.
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