A season of Fireside Tastings at The Merrion

September 2016 – Created from four Grade I listed Georgian Town House, The Merrion is Dublin’s best address. It’s warming peat fires and deeply comfortable Drawing Rooms come into their own as the summer evenings shorten and the shift into autumn begins. Marking the new season, The Merrion is welcoming guests for a series of fireside tastings, sharing the secrets of three different spirits – Scotch, Japanese Whisky and Port – with three expert speakers on 12 September, 11 October and 1 November.

Scotch Appreciation – 12 September 2016

Starting the season in style will be a Scotch Appreciation tasting on 12 September. The tasting will be led by Ian Logan, International Brand Ambassador for Chivas Brothers in Scotland. Ian has worked in the world of whisky for over 27 years, bringing a huge amount of experience to The Merrion. Though Ian has a particular passion for The Glenlivet, guests will taste four different scotches during the evening, learning to appreciate the different notes and flavours in each.

Japanese Whisky Tasting – 11 October 2016

Sayumi Ovama, European Ambassador for the Nikka Whisky Company, will lead a Japanese Whisky tasting to remember on 11 October. Growing rapidly in popularity, Japanese whisky has come to the forefront of the whisky world. Sayumi Ovama has an enviable knowledge of the spirit and will guide guests through five different highlights of the Nikka range, including the Taketsuru 21 years – exclusive to The Merrion as the only bottle in Ireland.

Port & Chocolate – 1 November 2016

Port and chocolate might not be the most obvious combination – until now. On 1 November, Álvaro Van Zeller, CEO of Barão de Vilar Port House and Paul Kelly, The Merrion’s Executive Pastry Chef and Cacao Barry Ambassador, will seamlessly bring the two together with five different ports and The Merrion’s very own Or Noir signature dark chocolate. The Van Zeller family have been making port since 1715, so Álvaro Van Zeller brings over 300 years of family tradition to The Merrion. Highlights will be a 10-year-old White Port.

At each tasting, drinks will come served with canapes specially matched by Executive Chef Ed Cooney, to compliment the flavours. What better way to welcome the winter