Teeing Off

Iorwerth Griffiths finds an escape to whisky heaven in Northern Ireland

The five star Lough Erne Golf Resort not only has a great whiskey bar but also offers group tastings.
The Lough Erne Golf Resort occupies a 600 acre peninsula in Lower Lough Erne, close to Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. There is an opulent county house feel to the place and the sumptuous arrival hall sets the scene perfectly with lovely views over the lough. Indeed stunning views of the lough and the surrounding countryside are a feature here.
Outside there is golf, with a choice of two championship golf courses, one of which was designed by Nick Faldo. Inside there is a Thai Spa, pool and gym. There is even a Cygnets programme to keep the little ones happy.
Whether you stay in the main hotel or one of the lakeside lodges, excellent food is available in a number of different settings.
Many distractions, but the whiskey drinker needs to steer a course for the Blaney Bar for an Irish whiskey 101. A “101” because that's how many bottles are in the collection, a great place to experience Irish whiskey's varied tastes.
The three Irish distilleries are well represented. The core Bushmils range is there as well as a few single cask bottlings including the fabulous Millennium Malt. There's a long list of Cooley whiskeys, single cask Tyrconnell's and Connemara's steal the show, or why not try all the Tyrconnell finshes side-by-side.
As well as the whiskeys in the Jameson Reserve Collection, the list from Midleton contains contemporary classics such as Redbreast and Jameson 15 ...

• By : Iorweth Griffiths
• In : nightcap
• Issue : 96
• Page : 70
• Words : 673