The beauty of vodka is its versatility.  It’s so easy to mix to create great tasting cocktails and long drinks. However, there is more to vodka than being just a tasteless spirit used only for mixing. While vodka, by design, displays minimal flavour, it need not be tasteless. There is a subtle but distinct difference in flavours with vodkas, ranging from fruit to spicy notes...

Beer is usually grouped into different groups by the type of yeast used. The two primary groups are ale and lager. A third group is a bit of a catch all for beers brewed using other yeast, often described as ‘wild yeast’, responsible for sour beers. But back to ale and lager; ale is made with ‘top fermenting’ yeast at warm temperatures while lagers are made wit...

Looking for the perfect gift this Valentine’s Day, we have some treats for you. Maybe you are staying in and creating a romantic meal for two or just cosying up by the fire, there’s some great options to share this Valentine’s Day also. Of course, these are great for treating yourself as well!

If you would like to give the gift that keeps on giving then our Craft ...

Throughout human history February has enjoyed an enduring association with love, romance and fertility.  Long before Hallmark cards and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, many ancient pagan societies celebrated festivals at this time of the year to herald the coming season of rebirth and regeneration.  This tradition stretches back at least 5,000 years in Ireland, when pre-C...

In unsurprising Irish fashion we warmly herald this week's coming of February with the coldest winter snap of the season- just in time to greet the earliest emergence of daffodil shoots I can remember. But so long as the snow holds off I thoroughly enjoy this crisp time of year. It gives me the impetus to dust off the slow cooker and make some hearty stews to enjoy in front o...

There is definitely a cold snap out there. So light the fire and stay warm with some delicious warm winter cocktails. I’ve put together four, simple to make cocktails you can try at home. So for chocolate and spice and all things nice read on.

This is comforting and soothing if you have picked up a cold although it tastes just as good even if you haven’...

***Check out of Instagram competition @obrienswine for a chance to win a bottle of Casamigos Añejo***

It may be cold and wintery but we have something new that will get you thinking of sunnier climes and certainly warm your spirits. You may have heard the name but now Casamigos tequila is available in Ireland exclusively with O’Briens.*

If you haven’t h...

It can be difficult to find a good quality bottle of wine in Ireland for under €10. Having the highest Excise Duty rates in Europe (between Duty and VAT the first €3.92 of every bottle of wine sold in this country goes in taxes) certainly plays a large part in this.

However, our O'Briens Wine team work hard and every bottle of wine sold in the company has been sourced an...

An Irish First

BEST OF SPAIN WINE CHALLENGE IRELAND 2018

by Lynne Coyle Master of Wine, O'Briens Wine Director

On a cold very wet Dublin day towards the end of November 2018, the very first Best of Spain Wine Challenge, Ireland took place. Wineries had entered over 160 wines to showcase aspects of quality, diversity and uniqueness of Spain’s vineyards.

As...

As we continue to enjoy this bright start to the year many of us are taking advantage and spending plenty of time outdoors. After spending an afternoon in the crisp winter air there is nothing better than relaxing with some winter warming foods and a nice bottle of red wine. To help you pick that perfect wine the O'Briens Winter Reds promotion continues. This is a selection...