A WHISKEY club in Madden's Bar in Belfast city centre continues to go from strength to strength and is soon set to celebrate its third anniversary.
Uisce Bhéal Feirste started in November 2023, with the aim of bringing Irish whiskey tasting sessions to Belfast.
Ever since, major brands and distillers have been welcomed in to showcase their whiskey including Dunville's, Redbreast, Bushmills, Teeling, Jameson and many more. It take place in the historic and traditional surroundings of Madden's, one Monday evening every month.
The brains behind the success story of Uisce Bhéal Feirste are Brian McMullan, proprietor of Madden’s Bar, and Séamus Óg Birt from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey.
Brian said: "It is great to host Uisce Bhéal Feirste. It is a chance to taste some fantastic whiskeys for a reasonable price.
"We have showcased all of the big-hitters as well as the smaller distilleries in Ireland which we are delighted to promote.
"It takes place upstairs in Madden's in an intimate setting which is perfect for everyone sharing their thoughts on the whiskey.
"We are starting a membership shortly and are really just looking to keep growing it.
"Whiskey is very important in Madden's. We try and keep our prices down and do a Whiskey of the Month as well."
Séamus Óg Birt from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: "I drink in Madden's. I love whiskey and I work for a distillery. I worked with Brian on Maddens first whiskey release.
"Irish whiskey is booming these days. Whereas ten years ago most bars you went into only carried whiskey from three or four distilleries, you're now seeing a wider selection with offerings from smaller producers from all across the country.
"Being able to bring those producers to Belfast to tell their own stories is what it's all about. Last year we even had Pádraic Ó Griallais come up from Micil in Galway to host a tasting as Gaeilge.
"The beauty of the club being based in Madden's is the fact that we're able to tie in so many cultural aspects of the Irish pub. Sharing whiskey, stories, language and music with our thriving little community.
"We got chatting about the fact there was no consistent whiskey society or club in Belfast, so we put our heads together and Uisce Bhéal Feirste launched in November 2023.
"The first tasting was Dunville's which I did myself and almost three years later we are still going strong.
"We have our regulars each month and always get some new faces.
"The whiskey club is all about creating a sense of community and giving people a taste of different whiskeys.
"One of the elements of the night is charity. We have a raffle and always raise a few hundred pound for a different charity each month, chosen by the brand showcasing. It is a way of giving something back.
"We have some exciting plans ahead. We will be introducing a membership scheme shortly and we will be releasing the first Uisce Bhéal Feirste whiskey to celebrate our third anniversary in November."
At Monday night's tasting the theme was 'World Whiskey' and after the Suntory evening last year showcasing Japanese whiskey, this reviewer was looking forward to the event since it was announced.
We were treated to a stellar line-up of whiskey from across the world including New Zealand, Czech Republic and USA.
The full tasting was:
- Old Well Single Malt Whisky Triple Cask (Czech)
- Kirikiriroa Release 1919 Distilling (New Zealand)
- Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky Constantia Wine Cask (Scotland)
- Dunville’s Single Malt Irish Whiskey Armagnac 23 year old (Ireland)
- Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 23B (USA)
- Signatory Vintage Exceptional Cask 100 proof edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky 16 year old (Scotland)
As Séamus said at the start of the evening, he thought it was the best line-up of whiskey ever at Uisce Bhéal Feirste and he was certainly right.
Each whiskey offered much discussion amongst those in attendance as one-by-one Séamus detailed the story behind each whiskey.
A personal favourite of mine was the Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky Constantia Wine Cask. One would expect a peated whiskey from Scotland but this was anything but.
Distilled in 2020, this unpeated edition of the double-distilled unpeated Glasgow 1770 single malt initially matured in bourbon barrels, before transferring to South African Constantia wine casks for a generous one year and ten months finish.
The whiskey was bottled at five years' old in 2025, with lively notes of soft stone fruits, citrus, honey and chocolate, thanks to those sweet dessert wine casks.
A special mention also to the Stagg Whisky from Kentucky, a hearty 63.9 per cent ABV and the highest ABV of any whiskey to appear at an Uisce Bhéal Feirste tasting.
Next month's tasting will take place on Monday, September 14 and it is one not to be missed with Irish giants Middleton Distillery coming to town.
For ticket information, follow Uisce Bhéal Feirste on Instagram.
