From Friday lunch time the 19th October 2012 the new Autumn menu will be launched here at the Cholmondeley Arms. Christian our head chef and his excellent team have been working hard to come up with new dishes that are true to the traditions of the Cholmondeley Arms…warming, flavoursome, traditional yet innovative. We look forward to you visiting to try them!
Yes we have completed a year of being open as the ‘new’ Cholmondeley Arms. September being the month we opened last year 2011. We set our stall out then to be the best pub in Cheshire for the enjoyment of a Gin and Tonic (amongst many other things of course!!) and in turn create a legend.
Little did we know 18 months ago when Tim first visited the ‘Chum’ and decided Gins were definitely the thing to do here, that gin would have become so popular with micro/craft distillers popping up everywhere.
Trips to different parts of the UK and Europe have helped teach us so much about this famous and slightly infamous spirit. The glass, the fruit, the botanicals, the ice, the tonics and of course the gins themselves have all been explored.
We run an annual amateur Fruit Gin making competition, we have guest speakers such as James Chase from the Chase Distillery talking through Gin. We have tasting sessions for those guests that want to learn just a little bit more about Gin and its history. We operate ‘Bring Gin to the Inn’ where customers themselves can search out Gins on our behalf and be rewarded for doing so.
Our aim was to start with the ‘Cholmondeley Top Forty Gins’ in our house ‘Gin Bible’ and add to our collection through our pro-active Gin suppliers, our enthusiastic team and of course our customers who have all brought ‘Gin to the Inn’ over the last year from as far afield as the States and the Far East.
We have built our collection now to 115 different gins. We are the biggest purveyor of Gin in Cheshire, in fact the north of England and in our second year we aim to make the Gin Bible more informative, have Gin Quarterlies that focus the guest on new craft gins as well as some classics changing the list four times a year, add value to our ‘Gin Tasting Classes’ and of course build our collection and our knowledge. So come and help us…enjoy a classic Gin and tonic with us. Thank you to ALL our customers who have supported us in our first year!!!! We are so grateful for your business.
Mmm… Someone was looking rather sheepish when this photo was taken of local sheep enjoying the Cholmondeley Arms garden!!!
We reckon they have popped up from the Ewe Tree pub down the road. You can’t pull the wool over our eyes!!!
They soon moved on to pastures new when they smelt the mint sauce being prepared for Sunday Roast!!!
Mutton dressed as lamb….certainly not!!!
As everyone is aware the Cholmondeley Arms is a former village school. To celebrate this fact we have a special book behind the ‘Chum’ bar, kindly donated by Carole the Proprietor of The Cheese Shop in Chester.
The book is for ‘former pupils’ of the school to sign as and when they visit the Cholmondeley Arms. Our famous Breakfast cook Shirley also attended the school. So if you are a ‘Cholmondeley school ‘Old Boy or Girl’ come in and sign the book.
As we build up names we can then arrange an annual event to celebrate the School and its former pupils in what is the 150th anniversary of the building in 2012!!!
Our landlord Steve has introduced some rather posh cigars here at the ‘Chum’ and of course with life being outside for smokers these days the old school ‘bike shed’ has been given a makeover and looks a bit more like a ‘potting shed’ now.
However in this poor summer weather the new ‘bike shed’ offers outdoor shelter with a bit of homely English charm for those wishing to eat al fresco or indeed have a puff on a cigar!!
So you naughty school boys who want to puff please report to the ‘bike shed’!!!
Example of Christians specials board
As you know we are very proud here at the Cholmondeley Arms to have the finest local ingredients available to us for our seasonal menu and specials board (an example of which can be seen here).
In August, from 16th to 23rd inclusive we will be celebrating, via our specials board, great dishes that recognise the local Cheshire produce available to our Head Chef Christian and his team.
Literally a short journey to Richards farm for fresh vegetables is a trip taken regularly by Christian and the taste of those Cheshire potatoes couldn’t be better!!!
So make a note of the dates for the diary and come and enjoy the very best of Cheshire here at the Chum!!
Cheshire Farmer Richard works very hard to ensure the very best local produce is available to Christian our chef who goes and picks his own
The taste of our vegetables is of prime importance
Wild Scottish Sea trout with Samphire and Cheshire potato salad and cucumber ketchup
Here at the Cholmondeley Arms as we celebrated the Queens Jubilee we also launched our summer drinks selection!
Featuring refreshing coolers such as jugs of gin with rose lemonade, Cholmondelinis featuring prosecco with four different liqueurs, creme de cassis, elderflower liqueur, lychee liqueur, or Chambourd raspberry liquor.
Pastis with rose lemonade also features as well as a traditional Bloody Mary made with Manzanilla Sherry and of course the great summer favourite a jug of Pimms No.1 for only £8.95!!!
So when the sun shines come and enjoy our garden and outdoor terrace with one of our refreshing summer drinks.
Yes it has happened………… the Cholmondeley Arms is the biggest purveyor of Gin in Cheshire and probably the north of England!! 106 Gins now grace the shelves of our fabulous back bar!! Having just got back from Mallorca with a bottle of the Menorcan, Port Mahon Gin and a Larios Dry Gin from Spain it was to my great surprise that I found that we had, had a further ten gins brought to the Inn by various ‘shy’ locals!!
While in Mallorca I found the growth in passion for all things Gin to be phenomenal. As you can see in the picture two bartenders worked on mixing gins with flair for us on a balmy evening by the ocean (yes we brought the weather back) and the final presentation in the glass was excellent. Great lessons learnt for how we can develop further the gin service here at ‘the Chum’.
Sometimes we have to remind ourselves we have only been open as the new Cholmondeley Arms eight months and we have come a long way with gin…………………… Fruit Gin making Championships, Gin tasting evenings, Talks on Gin from various Gin distillers such as James Chase, the ‘Bring Gin to the Inn’ concept, and shortly the ‘Complete Gin List’ which we
are working on as I write this.
If you are interested in gin email us regarding Gin tasting Evenings. We look forward to hearing from you!!
Local regulars and Gin enthusiasts have brought ‘Gin to the Inn’. Chris & Dawn have been on holiday to the USA, and have brought back 3 gins for us that we previously didn’t have.
Number 92 on the Gin shelf is a gin called American Pride we are trying to get more information on this gin but it is proving difficul!! Nevertheless Stru’ and Steve say it is a really good traditional juniper gin and I believe them!!! At number 93 on the shelf is Fleischmann’s (America’s 1st Gin according to the Bottle). A light smooth gin. Fleischmann’s was the first American-made gin, starting in 1870. Fleischmann’s has a lighter gin taste, making it more mixable.
At number 94 on the list is Nicholas Gin and this one is amazing, the yanks seem to be doing something right…. Nicholas Gin Description is of standard proof, is distilled in USA and is a modern gin. This untraditional gin contains flavours from lavender, rose hips, and hibiscus. It is distilled by Fat Dog Spirits.
So remember we are always looking for gins and a massive thanks to Chris and Dawn (below) who add themselves to the ‘Bring Gin to the Inn Club’
We have many customers who like gin, who also like to travel and may find gins we don’t stock on those travels…. so…….we came up with ‘Bring Inn the Gin’ and here’s what you have to do.
It was confirmed today by Chris Evans on his BBC 2 Breakfast show that his ‘Car-Fest’ event for ‘Children in Need’ is coming to Cholmondeley Castle on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of September 2012.
Chris has already launched a ‘sell out’ ‘Car-Fest’ in the south of England and needed a venue for the northern version. For details of the event go to www.carfest.org where they will be appearing shortly. The event features cars galore, live music and lots more.
Please click here for all events for this year at Cholmondeley Castle.
Yes it is true while cleaning the bar shelves holding our whisky collection, Steve our landlord studied the label of the Bunnahabhain which was believed to be a 12 year old priced at £3.60 a shot. On closer examination the label declared “Family Silver 1968” .
Believing this to be a brand name Steve decided to ‘Google’ the said whisky and discovered that it cost in the region of £350 a bottle or £700.00 a bottle at retail value!!!!! Yep and we have been selling it at £3.60 a shot!!!
The bottle has been returned to the shelf and if you want a wee dram it will cost you £25 a shot from today. To those whisky lovers that have enjoyed a few shots at our expense then good luck to you!! Amazing what you find on the shelves of the bar!!
Need to clean more often Steve!!
Bunnahabhain (Scottish Gaelic: Bun na h-Abhainn) is a village on the northeast coast of the isle of Islay, which is in the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland, in the Inner Hebrides group of islands. It is also the name of a Scotch whisky distillery located there. The village was established in 1881 to house the distillery’s workers, and the distillery still employs the majority of the village’s workers.
The surrounding area is also steeped in local history. The ruined village of Margadale, nestled between Margadale Hill and Scarbh Bhreac, was once the busiest marketplace on Islay, with people coming from all over the island for cattle sales.
The name of the village comes from the Scottish Gaelic name Bun na h-Abhainn, meaning Foot of the River.
The distillery in the village produces The Bunnahabhain (Boon-a-havn) which is one of the milder Islay whiskies available and its taste varies greatly from other spirits to be found on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland. The distillery was built in 1881 and sits below the northeast tip of the island just north of Port Askaig. It overlooks a narrow belt of water (the Sound of Islay) with a view of the neighbouring island of Jura (which also has a working distillery) and its famous hills, the “Paps of Jura”.
Unbelievably the gin collection here at the Cholmondeley Arms has now gone through the 90 barrier!!!
In at number 86 is a gin brought in by a kind customer who was taking advantage of our now famous….”bring Gin to the Inn” promotion (see events page here on the website) where we pay for the unique gin you bring and reward you with £10 of Cholmondeley vouchers at the same time!!!
New Beefeater London Market Limited Edition Gin
Hot off the press comes the news of another unique Beefeater Limited Edition gin. This time Master Distiller Desmond Payne has followed in the footsteps of Beefeater founder James Burrough who in the nineteenth century sought out the best ingredients he could find in London’s celebrated food markets such as the original Covent Garden. So the new gin contains new ingredients found today on London’s market stalls such as pomegranate seeds, kaffir lime leaves and cardamom pods.
With over 40 years in the industry, Desmond Payne is the world’s most experienced gin distiller and at the heart of Beefeater’s innovation. As Desmond explains: “By using these exotic botanicals, I wanted to create a gin that captures the drinker’s imagination, reminding them of the aromas, tastes and charm of London’s bustling markets in the summertime.”
And what do these new botanicals bring? The use of pomegranate produces a berry-like note to introduce a complex and balanced progression of flavours on the palate. Beefeater’s traditional citrus notes of lemon and bitter orange are complimented by the softer lime flavour of Kaffir lime leaves whilst the sweet spice aromas of cardamom gently soften the gin on the palate.
At number 87 is Bluecoat American Dry Gin
Bluecoat American Dry Gin is distilled using a variety of organic juniper berries. The taste is spicy and earthy, with notes of citrus peel and other organic botanicals.
At number 88 is Imagin Dry Gin
Imagin is comprised of juniper and twelve further botanicals. On the palate, this gin has complex notes of herbs, spices and citrus, all balanced perfectly and means Sweden is represented on the gin ‘back bar’.
At number 89 is Mayfair Gin
Mayfair gin has a big hit of juniper, followed by a touch of spice and a residual sweetness. This is a well-balanced gin with a long finish.
And then finally the number 90 is the exceptionally special Lighthouse Gin from New Zealand
Lighthouse™ Gin is, first and foremost, a New Zealand gin.
Whilst the history of gin goes back to at least the mid-fifteenth century in Holland, its true antecedents are much earlier, founded in those first experiments in the ancient and mysterious art of distilling in the presence of herbs and spices.
The predominant flavour and aroma of a modern distilled dry gin will always come from juniper and coriander, but the great challenge for the distiller is to select and blend a variety of additional, exotic botanicals to impart a uniquely satisfying, balanced character to the gin.
Lighthouse Gin
For Lighthouse™ Gin Neil took pleasure in researching and experimenting with many such botanicals, and, among those finally selected, after several years of trial, are the dried leaves from the unique New Zealand botanicals kawa kawa, together with the fresh zest of New Zealand-grown navel oranges and Yen Ben lemons, the intense-flavoured descendant of the famous Lisbon lemon. These components lend herbal and citrus notes to the gin, distinguishing it from its English and American counterparts.
Lighthouse™ Gin is made by hand in the classic ‘distilled dry gin’ tradition, utilising nine botanicals in their natural state. The distillers create the gin in a 200-litre copper still, which Neil designed himself, and had specially built by local craftsmen at 2K Design in Masterton.
The final formula of Lighthouse™ Gin must remain a secret, but the distillers believe they have achieved a distinctive and complex gin that is smooth and fresh and combines herbal, citrus, and spicy characteristics, with a subtle delicacy. The double distillation process is costly and time-consuming but results in a softer, more refined, and more approachable spirit, with each batch having its own subtle signature.
To answer the question – does this gin reach new heights? Well, from all reports coming back from the experts and connoisseurs, it does. And in the great tradition of kiwi quality and reputation, it is a worthy newcomer.
Lighthouse™ Gin is hand crafted, hand bottled, hand labelled, and the heart cut of a small number of distillations is double distilled and combined into a batch.
The 82nd gin is called Sacred Gin, this is an aromatic and creamy gin with exceptional character. Each botanical is separately macerated and redistilled with English grain spirit at low temperatures, then combined according to a secret recipe, creating a lush and fresh London Dry Gin like no other.
Number 83 is Cold River Gin which is produced using alcohol made from Maine potatoes and a secret blend of seven traditional botanicals: juniper berries, coriander, lemon peel, orange peel, orris root, angelica root and cardamom. The recipe dates back to the early days of British gin. Good taste is about balance and it is the balance of the botanicals that makes Cold River Gin one of the world’s most exquisite gins.
Number 84 is Monkey 47 a dry gin with a strong body, very aromatic, with notes of pine needles, juniper berries, herbs, citrus flavours and floral nuances.
Number 85 is the familiar name of Ketel 1 which has been associated with vodka for many a year the flavour characteristics are due to the distillation method, in which the second distillation is completed with juniper berries and herbs. This gin is clear and transparent, with aromas of juniper berries and malt, providing a fresh taste and shows the pedigree we expect from Ketel.
The 81st Gin to grace the shelves of the Cholmondeley Arms is being personally delivered by our owner Tim. While having a much needed (some say deserved) break in Donegal in the northwest of the Emerald Isle he picked up a bottle of the legendary Cork Gin. Tim’s pictured outside his favourite pub (after the three he owns of course!!!) The Glen Bar or ‘Marys of the Glen’ as it is famously known, situated in the village of Glen…………… a true pub!!!
The last time Tim was pictured outside this pub was when he brought back a bottle of Powers Whiskey for the Bulls Head in Mobberley where there are over 70 whiskies on sale. It is becoming a bit of a tradition each year standing outside the Glen Bar with a bottle of something….”the locals think I’m mad” says Tim…they are probably right too!!! So hopefully by the weekend the Cork Gin will have arrived here at ‘the Chum’!!!
Cork Dry Gin is the number one selling gin in Ireland. Its combination of juniper berry, lemon, lime, coriander and Cork Dry Gin’s mystery ingredient give it its uniquely refreshing flavour profile explaining why 8 out of 10 gin drinks consumed in pubs is a Cork Dry Gin.
The distinctive square bottle is an icon of Irish design and can probably be found in almost every drinks-cabinet in Ireland. Cork Dry Gin was awarded top points (4 ½ stars out of 5) in a recent tasting conducted by ‘Wine Ireland’ magazine.
Cork Dry Gin was first distilled at the Watercourse Distillery in Cork City in 1793 and the closely guarded recipe notes were transcribed in 1798, by apprentice distiller, William Coldwell Cork was uniquely located for the distilling of gin with plump grains from the fields of East Cork and exotic botanicals arriving to Cork’s bustling international port.
The watercourse Distillery was located on the River Kiln which possessed minerals suited to the production of a gin. There’s nothing quite like a refreshing Cork Dry Gin and tonic as a refreshing aperitif. The question remains will the Gin arrive intact!!!??
