Failte,welcome to Euskadi´s Irish gem,Scanlan´s Tavern is located on the site of an olde Basque taverna in the hamlet of Gernika. An award winning Whiskey Shebeen for townsfolk & expats alike run by Irish/Basque couple Patrick&Olatz.According to ancient Celtic lore the "Brughai" Inn Keepers were held in high esteem and had great status in the local community.Patrick a Whiskey Sommilier & Master of Malt hails from an old Munster-Tipperary Clann,tries to live up to those standards serving a fine "boll o´malt"and draught stout&ales.Nestled snugly at the base of Mount Kosnoaga (1 of 3 Horn-blowing hills)on the summit are the ruins of an old Iron-age ring-fort believed to be a Celtic"Bruiden"hostel-fort located on hilltops sourrounded by rampart rings with a seccondary use as beacons or look-out points.
Tavern & Inns began with the Roman´s! watering holes began springing up along the olde roads linking outposts to Rome. Scanlan´s is a stones throw from just such a road leading to Santiago where the path is well beaten with thirsty Pilgrims.
Scanlan´s however is a "Whiskey Shebeen" first & foremost.Shebeen´s were illigal Whiskey drinking houses during "Occupation"and later small rural country Pubs.
An athmospheric low ceilinged pub adorned with antique Whiskey memorabilia & boasting the Worlds largest pub collection of Irish Malt Whiskey´s!!.
Inspired by Patrick´s granfather Fox Scanlan.The bar is a throw-back to a time when publicans like Patricks father Edward would "Rack&Bond" ie decant,bond&label his cask malt whiskey and as a mark of respect to tradition Cooley Distillery supplys specially labelled stock of The Tyrconnell Malt.
The Irish in Euskadi have a long and illustrious heritage from a Hibernian becomming the first Lord of Bizkaia - Lemor MacMorna was affectionately known as "Jaun Zuria"the White Lord.To the noble Gaelic-Irish families known as "Los Chiguiri´s" in Bizkaia(18th centuary)and the famous Irish/Spanish Wildgeese regiments,like the O´Donnell Clann who distinguished themselves in San Sebastian defending the line.The first Irish Pub in the Basque Country dates back to 1752 run by the legendary Irish landlady Mrs Jones in Bilbao.Irishman Count Henry P.Russell penned the first guide to the Basque Pyrenees(1873).
Bar Accolades: Official Guinness Bar.
Dedicated Irish Whiskey Bar "Hibernian Whiskey Society 2003".
Great Whiskey Bar of the World by Whiskymag feb 2006.
Slainte!!,,
