Dram Fest 2023

A few weeks ago we travelled to Leicester with a group of friends to indulge in an evening of whisky. Dram Fest, hosted by Cask 23, returned after a few years break ... and what a fest it was.

With two rooms of whisky brands it was difficult to decide where to begin but a favourite drew us in. We all enjoy Old Pulteney and have fond memories of enjoying a dram or two on holiday in Scotland.

 

Tomatin is another favourite, it was great to try their 18 year old sherry cask. It was full of dried fruit flavours, quite a treat as it's slightly higher priced than our usual buys.

At a slightly higher price was Benromach 21 year old, not quite my style but very smooth. It was interesting to compare two Benromach whiskies, the same spirit but one was casked in an air dried barrel, the other in a kiln dried barrel. The difference was quite surprising with a split liking in our group. It clearly evidenced the importance and influence of the choice of barrelling.

I was very interested to discover about Filey Bay whisky, an English whisky from Yorkshire. All the ingredients are grown on their farm or sourced locally. With grain prices going down a number of years ago they began brewing beer, very successfully. From there they decided to distill whisky, it was lovely and a place on my to visit list next time we're in Yorkshire.

As well as whisky there was also bourbon and rum, I only tried the Elijah Craig which began in 1789. I did however taste my way through the three Tequilas - straight from distilling, aged between 3 months and a year, and aged over a year. The latter was one of only nine bottles in the UK and it was absolutely amazing.

It was a great evening, a little disappointing that my favourite Dalmore were not exhibiting. Everyone's favourite was from Glenmore. There three Whisky Row's had something for everyone's taste: rich and spicy, smooth and sweet or smoke and peaty.

But their Rare Finds Glenallachie 14 year old was the absolute star of the show, even if we struggled to pronounce it, and that was before  wee dram.

A super way to spend a Saturday: a dram (or more) of whisky shared with friends ... Slàinte Mhath

 

Laithwaites latest selection

Making the most of the Black Friday deal we ordered a case of wine from Laithwaites  - I do think their packaging is impressive ... I wonder who it's modelled on.

We ordered a mixed dozen which then included two free glasses and an extra bottle of Malbec. I never miss the chance to order a bottle of PS, it was my Dad's favourite. 

Our six reds included:

El Bombero from the Spanish region of Carinena, made from Garnacha

The Black Stump  from Australia, a Durif Shiraz blend

Cabalie from France, a Grenache blend

Vinha Do Fava from Portugal, made from Touriga Nacional

Pillastro from Puglia in Italy, made from Primivito

These are all superb red wines that we always enjoy, sometimes revisiting a favourite is a good as discovering something new. I particularly enjoy a glass of Cabalié and Black Stump, especially for a cosy winter night in.

Our white wines were:

La Belle Saison from southern France, made from Sauvignon Blanc 

Queen Bee is a South African Viognier 

Hole in the Clouds from Marlborough New Zealand, another Sauvignon Blanc 

Atakarma from Chile, a Sauvignon Blanc 

The Gooseberry Bush is a South African Colombard

I do enjoy Sauvignon Blanc wine, my preference is French from the Loire Valley so it will be interesting to try these three varieties from different places.

Our extra bottle was Opi Malbec from Mendoza in Argentina. I prefer to drink this grape with food, usually steak, it will be interesting to try as it's new to us.

Our special bottle of PS Péttilant Rosé from France. My Dad used to buy from the Sunday Times Wine Club and this was his favourite sparkling wine. It's his birth date soon when we always have scampi and chips with a glass of rosé wine in his honour. He would have been 97 this year and our bottle of PS will be a very fitting toast.

Our Black Friday deal included some favourites, some new to tries and a special bubbly, not bad for less than £85 - thank you Laithwaites!

Children in Need dinner

Last week it was the annual BBC Childre in Need so my beloved Pudsey was released from the attic for one night only ... he's looking ok for nearly 30!

Our friends were here for dinner so I had a bit of fun with our menu starting with a 'face' plate each to accompany our dips.

Children always love chicken nuggets and mash potato. My grown up version was made using crushed BBQ crisps for the chicken coating and the pots of mash had bacon bits and cheese included.

Our dessert was chocolate cornflake cake with green peppermint custard. It's the perfect combo and one often served at my school when I was young. We all loved the cornflake cake and wondered why we don't make it now our children are grown up.

I have a very special condiment set that was my parents and I remember it at Christmas when I was very young before my parents divorced. I don't use it very often but as a nod to my childhood it had pride of place on our table. 

It was a super night, great fun to prepare, I do love a themed dinner. I didn't take photos of our wines but the following evening I did enjoy a sparkling Cava with a dash of Chambord ... cheers!

Coughton Court

Another Tudor House, also belonging to the National Trust, we have visited is Coughton Court in Warwickshire. Since 1409 the Throckmorton family have lived in the house. John de Throckmorton acquired the house through his marriage to Eleanor de Spiney, at the time he was Under Treasurer of England in the reign of Henry VI.

The Throckmorton family still live in the house, some 600 years on, although the National Trust have owned the house since 1946.

As with most National Trust properties the gardens were beautiful. Beautifully laid in keeping with the house with traditional planting including a very fragrant lavender garden.

We visited just before the scaffolding was put up around the house as the roof is in need of urgent repair. The cost will be over £3 million and will take two years to complete. 

Coughton Court played an important part in the Gunpowder Plot, a plan to blow up Parliament on 6th November 1605. The ringleader of the Roman Catholic plot was Robert Catesby, he was the son of Sir William Catesby and Anne Throckmorton.

The Midland part of the plot was planned by Sir Everard Digby, he chose Coughton Court as his base and moved in with his wife and two sons. The main plan was to kidnap Princess Elizabeth the eight year old daughter of King James I.

Guy Fawkes' was discovered before he could ignite the 36 barrels of gunpowder hidden below the House of Lords, he was tortured and revealed the other plotters. Word was sent north to Coughton Court where Lady Digby was waiting with Father Garnet, Father Tesimind, Nicholas Owen (famous for designing priest holes) and the Vaux sisters who lived at Baddesley Clinton (a nearby property now also belonging to the National Trust). 

The men fled before the plotters arrived but on the 8th November the Sheriff raided the house killing four of the men and capturing the others whi were tired in 1606 and subsequently hung, drawn and quartered. 

As work is being done the treasures with in the house have been moved to keep them safe, when we visited the paintings were all being stored in racking in one of the rooms. 

However some of the treasures were still display included an impressive silver collection. Safely behind glass is a stunning piece of work, Cope is said to be worked on by Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. It's design includes the Virgin and Child and many saints, made in the early 16th Century when England was a Roman Catholic country.

Also preserved behind glass is the chemise said to have belondpged to Mary Queen of Scots. It is thought to be the chemise she wore at her execution at Fortheringhay Castle. The borders are inscribed in red and dated Feb 11 1587. 

Although the house was not fully open it was a super visit, we will certainly return once the restorations have been completed.

Little Moreton Hall

Back in the summer Hubby and I visited Little Morton Hall in Cheshire. It certainly didn't look little, but it is wonky. It was William Moreton who began building the hall in 1504 but it took 100 years to complete.

During the Civil War the area was dominated by the Parliamentarians but William Moreton III and his son Edward were Royalists and imprisoned. His daughters rented the house at a huge cost from the government resulting in huge debts,.

After the family died the house was rented by relatives and latterly by tenant farmers. The house therefore did not have any changes made and is the reason for its survival in its Tudor splendour.

From the 1880s the house was rented by the Moreton's to Thomas and Ann Dale, and their 14 children. The Hall was a working farm but from 1913 the house was opened to the public for tours.

Elizabeth Moreton inherited the Hall in her later life and was a strong religious person. She was very concerned about the state of the Hall and installed the metal tie rods in the Long Gallery a d restored much of the Chapel where her Bible is on display. 

Everywhere around the house there is evidence of how this amazing house was built. In the Long Gallery there are oak pegs in the roof battens to hold the rafters. The weight of this upper extension, estimated at 32 tons, is probably the cause of the house's subsidence.

We had a lovely visit to this Tudor Hall. As a National Trust property we of course also enjoyed a delicious cream tea accompanied by quite a few hopeful visitors.

Revisiting Icmeler

Last month we revisited Icmeler staying at the beautiful Sea Star and accompanied by friends who were first time travellers to Turkey. I won't lie the journey was quite long, 12 hours door to door with a flight of over 4 hours and a transfer of nearly 2 hours ... but it is worth every minute!

Our last visit was in May 2018, so much has happened since then, none more upsetting than the forest fire in 2021 which burnt all of the mountain behind the hotel. Luckily it didn't breach the main road but it must have been such a scary experience for those in Icmeler at the time. The brown mountain earth is slowly returning with signs of new growth but it will take a while.

Sea Star is an adults only small hotel, we felt like long lost friends retuning with hugs from many of the staff and a lovely welcome gift in our room. We have actually brought the wine home to enjoy here reminiscing about of Turkish retreat.

Icmeler has everything, if you want loud music and nightlife there are plenty of bars in the town; if you want a stroll along the sea front the promenade stretches right around the bay. Turning away from the town the promenade continues all the way to Marmaris. We took the ferry boar, a half hour journey across the bay with views of all the grand hotels including Sea Star. The boats are quite small, very basic but such fun, the pilots must have been sailing across the bay for many years as they steer the boats in quite a casual manner.

Marmaris itself is a much busier place, lots of bars and restaurants, a grand bazaar where you can buy anything you want. It's a maze of covered walkways where you are often encouraged by the shop owners to buy things you maybe didn't realise you did want, although without any hassle, quite an experience.

We had a great day out wandering around, although it was a little warm with the temeratures over 35°C. Along the harbourside we paused for lunch, only realising after we had sat down that this was the bar Hubby and I had visited before. The super expensive yachts were amazing, as were the pirate themed party boats, we often see (hear) them sailing across the bay out into the open sea.

Taking another small ferry boat out towards the Meditereanan we also visited Turunc, a much smaller place than Icmeler. The journey, sailing on the turquoise sea, is itself amazing as you pass by the many beautiful rock formations. 

Our week's holiday was a chance to relax and with Sea Star being all inclusive the only worry we had was which cocktail to try next. I think between us we tried them all; some were definitely enjoyed more than once but others were most certainly one offs. 

The food was delicious, every meal time there was plenty of choice with chef also preparing food on the outside grill. My favourite was the sea bass, filleted and cooked to perfection, although Turkish night with kebab meat in hand rolled flat bread was also a highlight. Our waiter looked after us really well, reserving a table poolside every evening and knowing exactly which drinks we all preferred. 

It was lovely to be there again, and we will certainly be visiting Sea Star in the future, maybe in a couple of years as we have many more places to visit ... but it is like going home so it won't be too long.

Thank you Sea Star, especially Melis, Saygin our waiter and Mehmet.