St Patrick’s Day is marked on March 17, 2012 – and not just in Ireland but also all over New Zealand. BWS found some tasty tipples to celebrate the occasion.

The Hot Irishman Company is a producer of innovative, authentic and premium Irish Whiskey and Liqueur brands based deep in the countryside in Carlow, Ireland. The company was formed by husband and wife team Bernard and Rosemary Walsh back in 1999. The Walshs have been in Ireland for almost 1000 years and the Walsh clan name is the biggest clan name in Ireland today. They pride themselves on being one of a few remaining small independent family-owned drinks producers in Ireland.

Appealing to both the Whiskey aficionado as well as the main stream, the company boasts a very unique and extensive product range consisting of a premium Irish Coffee, an Irish Cream Liqueur, various Irish Whiskies, including Irishman 70 which is one of the highest rated Irish Whiskeys in the ‘Whisky Bible 2012’ (93 points), and is topped off by a bottled mulled wine.

With a brand name that is instantly recognisable as Irish, authentic and credible, the Walsh’s aim is to use nothing but the best of ingredients and not to sacrifice the quality. Bernard Walsh proudly says: “All our products are award winning, both at home in Ireland and internationally, and we are delighted to be able to introduce our brands to our friends in New Zealand.”

Exporting to over 30 overseas markets including USA, UK, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Russia, Malaysia, Australia and South Africa, the company has now added New Zealand to this list over the past 12 months, with Hancocks as its exclusive importer into the country.

Jameson launches limited edition for St Patrick’s Day

Paul Daly, internationally acclaimed Irish designer, has produced a limited edition bottle for Jameson Irish Whiskey ahead of St Patrick’s Day 2012. The bottle marks one of Ireland’s most celebrated days and was inspired by the legendary Celtic illustrations in the historic Book of Kells. This heritage, together with Daly’s contemporary artistic eye has resulted in a truly unique design, and the limited number of bottles means this edition is a definite eye-catcher and collector’s item.

The special limited edition Jameson bottle designed by Paul Daly is available in New Zealand from leading liquor retailers from mid-February – RRP $62.99.