Try taste of succulent smoked fish and you'll be hooked

LAST year we received bad news that the Salar Smokehouse was to close and there were no takers in developing it further.

Salar Smokehouse had been our sole supplier of hot smoked flaky salmon from Loch Duart ever since I opened The Lobster Pot Fishmongers nearly six years ago.

I came to stock it when a woman from Salar, which is based in the Isle of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, came to Cobbs Farmshop when I first opened, in an attempt to promote their product.

Being fairly new to fishmongering I was a little reserved and less confident about being presented with a new product, especially smoked salmon and more especially hot smoked salmon.

In truth, I was a bit naïve regarding hot smoked fish products but nonetheless I took some samples as I did not wish to appear rude. (A free sample is always welcome!) Well, no sooner had the woman left having deposited the samples I tucked in and tasted them.

The effect was ‘wow’ — this was an amazing product, so delicate, so succulent, and sooo tasty, and I ended up chasing her to the car park and immediately ordered a number of packets there and then.

The effect on my customers also became a bit of a joke as I would let them taste some hot smoked flaky salmon samples and then watch as they did a double take and turned to me and said ‘wow’ just like I had.

Over the years it became very popular and customers found it very versatile as it would be wonderful with a salad or flaked in with some fresh pasta, some even made it into pâté.

We were sad that it had ceased production. In recent months, however, production has restarted with new branding and a new look to the products and I am excited to say that I have just received my first delivery of the new hot smoked flaky salmon and just before Christmas too!

So to all my customers who I have been explaining why we no longer stock the hot smoked flaky salmon I say, ‘wow –it’s back’ and not a moment too soon.

Tasters will be on offer over the weekend.