I’m a sucker for a good whiskey, and it’s even better when it’s a good Irish one. During my time in Ireland, I only drank native whiskies, but I wish I had known about Natterjack beforehand.

Thanks to the marketing team at Natterjack Irish Whiskey, I was able to sample each of their three varietals, and none of them disappointed.

But what, exactly, is Natterjack? What inspired it? And just how good does it taste?

I never thought I’d wind up with an opportunity to visit Ireland, especially not on a solo press trip sponsored by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. A younger version of myself who was also afraid to come out of the closet would have also been shocked that the main point of the trip was to visit a queer matchmaking festival called The Outing Festival.

The Outing Festival, now hosted at The Inn at Dromoland, began twelve years ago at a now-closed place called The Matchmaker Bar in Lisdoonvarna. What started in a bar has turned into a full-on hotel takeover in County Clare, which has a storied history with matchmaking that influences the weekend’s events and activities.