Oisin Davis
Gift ideas for the Cocktail lover
From bouncer to brand owner, Oisin Davis has had many roles in the drinks trade. These days he runs Great Irish Beverages, a marketing and PR agency for Irish alcohol brands. His work has taken him around the globe, whether speaking at industry events or hosting Irish whiskey or cocktail demos in far flung destinations.
He writes an award-winning spirits column for Food & Wine Magazine and in October, Oisin launched his debut book,"Irish Kitchen Cocktails." It's all about how to make simple cocktails at home with Irish spirits and has gone on to become a best seller.
You can follow Oisin at @oisindavis or on linktr.ee/OisinDavis
and you can purchase his book here at ninebeanrowsbooks.com
Alex Thomas is the master blender for Bushmills Distillery. She has such a divine palate that it forces me to re-evaluate my Atheist beliefs. Such a deft touch in producing whiskeys like the 2010 Cognac Cask could only come from the Gods.
For about a dozen years now I've been generously throwing this unctuous nectar into so many of my cocktails but to be fair, it works equally well in food. Every home should keep a bottle or three.
The only way you can make a county Cork apple distillate sweetened with apple juice any better - is by ageing it in a whiskey cask. Here you will find the proof.
I can no longer endure non-vodka-infused cranberry sauce after sampling this beautiful all Irish collaboration. A very worthy addition to the always amazing Ballymaloe portfolio.
I defy anyone on the planet to find a better gin to mix into a martini. Seriously, this is an open call. To paraphrase Robbie Williams, come and have a go if you think your gin is hard enough.
The easiest way to ruin a good cocktail is to throw in some synthetic, flavoured bitters in it. On the opposite spectrum, you can really make a cocktail pop with a nice bitters like this Marmalade Citrus bottle. Quite delicious.
I don't really understand people who only drink cider in the summertime. Life is already too cruel and short to deprive yourself of such a gorgeous and easily accessible pleasure.
I'd happily smash a Stonewell Dry any time during any season.
I am a firm believer in the restorative, healing power of the Bloody Mary. Key to its many essential components is a strong, spicy hot sauce such as this wee beaut here. Full disclosure, my mate Brian makes it but even if we weren't friends I'd still use Dublin Hot Sauce in my Bloody Marys.
When it comes to Chrimbo whiskey gifts, Redbreast 12-year-old is one of those rare gems that you could literally get anyone and they'd be delighted. It's a firm favourite with spirit nerds, whiskey collectors and will bring instant joy to those who have yet to savour its brilliance. They also do an annual release that comes with a bird feeder to hang in your garden and a donation to the Birdlife International charity.
Hands down the finest cream liqueur I've ever had. The combination of the pot-still whiskey base and fantastic provenance make it such a unique but outrageously tasty tipple. At the tail end of a festive feast, there's nothing quite like a sweet and creamy liquid finish.
