LAST month marked The Castle Inn’s first birthday, and to celebrate, Red Mist Leisure director Julian Clarke hosted an exclusive birthday dinner and drinks pairings with guest host, Glenfiddich.

The event was attended by the Mayor of Farnham, Pat Evans and Alex Walker, Glenfiddich national brand ambassador and his team.

Each course of the birthday dinner menu was paired with a particular aged whisky to compliment the dish and requires at least three years of ageing in oak barrels.

The parsnip and thyme soup was enhanced by a 12 year-old whisky, aged in American oak barrels.

This was followed by chicken parfait paired with a 15 year-old whisky, aged in American and European oak.

Pan-roasted pork belly and black pudding deserved an 18 year-old dram of whisky, which receives its smooth flavour from the mix of oak wood it has been aged in.

Mr Walker saved the best till last, pairing poached pear and vanilla creme Anglaise with a 21 year-old Glenfiddich, perfect for deserts.

Glenfiddich, a single malt Scotch whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons in Dufftown, Scotland, under the leadership of master blender, Brian Kinsman.

It is the world’s best-selling single-malt whisky and the most awarded at the International Spirits Challenge.

The Castle Inn is the 12th opening in 16 years by Red Mist Leisure.

Located in the heart of Farnham, the inn, with two rooms upstairs for private gatherings and celebrations, is the perfect spot for meeting up with friends after work, enjoying a local ale by the fire in the winter and basking in the sun in the back garden during the warmer months.

*Fill in the voucher on Page 40 of this week’s Herald (March 12 edition) for your chance to win brunch for two at The Castle Inn.