The Irish Whiskey Awards were held last week. Irish Whiskey of the Year 2016 and the winner of Irish Single Malts (13 Years and Older) was Castle Brands’ Knappogue Castle 14 Year Old Twin Wood. Irish Single Malt Whiskey (12 Years & Younger) was won by Dunvilles PX Single Malt, and Irish Single Pot Stills was won by Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength. Teeling Small Batch got the nod for best Irish Blended Whiskey (RRP of less than €60), and Midleton Very Rare won the Irish Blended Whiskey (RRP of €60 or more) award.
Northern Irish spirit Jawbox Gin has secured a listing at 150 Marks & Spencer stores across the UK. It is the biggest retail deal in Britain yet for the drink, launched earlier this year by Gerry White. He formed the Jawbox Spirits Company last year to develop and market the first Belfast gin produced for more than a century.
Milseán Chocolat has won Gold and Silver at Blás na hÉireann (Irish Food Awards). The West Cork company received a Gold Award for its 71% Ecuador Origin Bar, and a Silver Award for its 80% Ugandan Origin Bar. Chocolatier Ian Graham said he was “aboslutely delighted and honoured” with the recognition.
Tesco has been accused of deliberately blocking Lidl’s plans for new stores across Ireland. Tesco has appealed the German chain’s plans to build new stores in Drogheda and Edenderry, and have lodged eight appeals total against the construction of Lidl and Aldi stores. “Tesco Ireland is a serial objector with the objective of delaying planning permission,” claimed Lidl.
Pepisco has set new targets for healthier food and beverages. The company published a “2025 Sustainibility Agenda” pledging to reduce calorie counts, limit water consumption, incorporate more recyclable packaging and purchase crops from sustainable farms.
Supervalu has announced a new partnership with Bank of Ireland as part of the relaunch of its Real Rewards loyalty programme. Supervalu’s ambition is for Real Rewards to become the number one loyalty programme in the country, and to realise that ambition the retailer is incorparating a range of different industries into the programme.
An investigation is underway in Tayto Park, Ashbourne, Co Meath, after a staircase collapsed at the Tayto Park House of Horrors event. Nine people were hospitalised due to the incident, and the management of Tayto Park have agreed to a full investigation to determine the cause of the failure.
