Irish whiskey
Encyclopedia
Irish whiskey is whiskey made in Ireland
.
Key regulations defining Irish whiskey and its production are established by the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980, and are relatively simple (for example, in contrast with those for Scotch whisky
, Bourbon whiskey
, or Rye whiskey). They can be summarised as follows:
There are several types of whiskey common to Ireland, including those referred to as Single Malt, Single Grain, and Blended Irish Whiskey. However, in contrast to the Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009
, the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980 does not actually contain a definition of the terms "Single Malt Irish Whiskey" or "Single Grain Irish Whiskey" or specific rules governing their production, so the exact definitions of these terms may not be clearly established. The meaning of such terms can vary substantially from producer to producer. For example, some Scottish whisky that could have been considered "Single Malt" prior to 2009 was distilled using continuous stills, and there is an American whiskey
marketed as a "Single Malt" that is made from rye
grain. Both of these practices would violate the 2009 Scotch Whisky Regulations definition of "Single Malt Scotch Whisky" but may not be prohibited for "Single Malt Irish Whiskey".
The word whiskey is an Anglicisation of the Goidelic
branch of languages including Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx as "uisce beatha" which translates as "water of life". (The Craythur is a modern Irish
term for whiskey.)
Most Irish pot still
whiskey is distilled three times, while Scotch whisky
, apart from Auchentoshan
, is distilled twice. Peat
is rarely used in the malt
ing process, so that Irish Whiskey has a smoother finish as opposed to the smoky, earthy overtones common to some Scotches. There are notable exceptions to these "rules" in both countries; an example is Connemara Peated Irish Malt (double distilled) whiskey from the independent Cooley Distillery in Riverstown, Cooley, County Louth.
Although Scotland sustains approximately 90 distilleries, Ireland has only four (although each produces a number of different whiskeys): economic difficulties in the last few centuries have led to a great number of mergers and closures. Currently those distilleries operating in Ireland are: New Midleton Distillery
(Jamesons, Powers, Paddy, Midleton, Redbreast, and others, plus the independently sold rarity Green Spot), Old Bushmills Distillery
(all Old Bushmills, Black Bush, 1608, Bushmills 10-, 12- and 16- and 21-year-old single malts), Cooley Distillery (Connemara, some Knappogues, (the '94 was by Bushmills) Michael Collins, Tyrconnell, and others) and the recently reopened Kilbeggan Distillery
, which began distilling again in 2007 and released samples of its still-maturing spirit at 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years worth of aging in 2009 as "The Spirit of Kilbeggan." Irish Distillers
' Midleton distillery has been part of the Pernod-Ricard conglomerate
since 1988. Bushmills was part of the Irish Distillers group from 1972 until 2005 when it was sold to Diageo
. In addition to the 4 distilleries, there are a number of independently owned Irish Whiskey brands, such Tullamore Dew
and The Irishman. The Irishman specialise in re-creating some of Irelands lost whisky treasures such as Potstill whiskies.
Irish whiskey comes in several forms. Most Irish whiskey contains alcohol continuously distilled
from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley
and other grains. This mixed-grain whiskey is much lighter and more neutral in flavour than the type called single malt, and most such mixed-grain whiskey is blended with single malts to produce relatively light flavoured blended whiskey
. However, there are a few Irish whiskies made from 100% malt
ed barley and distilled using pot still
s. Such a whiskey, when produced by a single distillery, is called a single malt whiskey.
Irish whiskey was one of the earliest distilled drinks in Europe, arising around the 12th century (see Distilled beverage
). The Old Bushmills Distillery
claims to be the oldest surviving licenced distillery in the world (it received a licence from James I
in 1608), although the Bushmills company was not established until the late 18th century. A statute introduced in the late 16th century introduced a viceregal license for the manufacture of whiskey.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Key regulations defining Irish whiskey and its production are established by the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980, and are relatively simple (for example, in contrast with those for Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
, Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
, or Rye whiskey). They can be summarised as follows:
- Irish whiskey must be distilled and aged in the Republic of IrelandRepublic of IrelandIreland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
or in Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. - The contained spirits must be distilled to an alcohol by volumeAlcohol by volumeAlcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
level of less than 94.8% from a yeast-fermented mash of cereal grains (saccharified by the diastaseDiastaseA diastase is any one of a group of enzymes which catalyses the breakdown of starch into maltose. Alpha amylase degrades starch to a mixture of the disaccharide maltose, the trisaccharide maltotriose, which contains three α -linked glucose residues, and oligosaccharides known as dextrins that...
of maltMaltMalt is germinated cereal grains that have been dried in a process known as "malting". The grains are made to germinate by soaking in water, and are then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air...
contained therein, with or without other natural diastases) in such a way that the distillate has an aroma and flavour derived from the materials used. - The product must be aged for at least three years in wooden casks.
- If the spirits comprise a blend of two or more such distillates, the product is referred to as a "Blended" Irish whiskey.
There are several types of whiskey common to Ireland, including those referred to as Single Malt, Single Grain, and Blended Irish Whiskey. However, in contrast to the Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
, the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980 does not actually contain a definition of the terms "Single Malt Irish Whiskey" or "Single Grain Irish Whiskey" or specific rules governing their production, so the exact definitions of these terms may not be clearly established. The meaning of such terms can vary substantially from producer to producer. For example, some Scottish whisky that could have been considered "Single Malt" prior to 2009 was distilled using continuous stills, and there is an American whiskey
American whiskey
American whiskey is a distilled beverage produced in the United States from a fermented mash of cereal grain.The production and labeling of American whiskey are governed by Title 27 of the U.S...
marketed as a "Single Malt" that is made from rye
Rye
Rye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...
grain. Both of these practices would violate the 2009 Scotch Whisky Regulations definition of "Single Malt Scotch Whisky" but may not be prohibited for "Single Malt Irish Whiskey".
The word whiskey is an Anglicisation of the Goidelic
Goidelic languages
The Goidelic languages or Gaelic languages are one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic languages, the other consisting of the Brythonic languages. Goidelic languages historically formed a dialect continuum stretching from the south of Ireland through the Isle of Man to the north of Scotland...
branch of languages including Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx as "uisce beatha" which translates as "water of life". (The Craythur is a modern Irish
Hiberno-English
Hiberno-English is the dialect of English written and spoken in Ireland .English was first brought to Ireland during the Norman invasion of the late 12th century. Initially it was mainly spoken in an area known as the Pale around Dublin, with Irish spoken throughout the rest of the country...
term for whiskey.)
Most Irish pot still
Pot still
A pot still is a type of still used in distilling spirits such as whisky or brandy. Heat is applied directly to the pot containing the wash or wine . This is called a batch distillation ....
whiskey is distilled three times, while Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
, apart from Auchentoshan
Auchentoshan
Auchentoshan Distillery is a Single Malt whisky distillery in the west of Scotland. The name Auchentoshan is gaelic and translates as "The corner of the field", the distillery is also known as "Glasgow's Malt Whisky" due to its close proximity to Glasgow and "the breakfast whisky" due to its sweet...
, is distilled twice. Peat
Peat
Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter or histosol. Peat forms in wetland bogs, moors, muskegs, pocosins, mires, and peat swamp forests. Peat is harvested as an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world...
is rarely used in the malt
Malt
Malt is germinated cereal grains that have been dried in a process known as "malting". The grains are made to germinate by soaking in water, and are then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air...
ing process, so that Irish Whiskey has a smoother finish as opposed to the smoky, earthy overtones common to some Scotches. There are notable exceptions to these "rules" in both countries; an example is Connemara Peated Irish Malt (double distilled) whiskey from the independent Cooley Distillery in Riverstown, Cooley, County Louth.
Although Scotland sustains approximately 90 distilleries, Ireland has only four (although each produces a number of different whiskeys): economic difficulties in the last few centuries have led to a great number of mergers and closures. Currently those distilleries operating in Ireland are: New Midleton Distillery
New Midleton Distillery
The Midleton distilleries complex is situated outside Midleton, Co. Cork, Ireland. It is owned by Pernod-Ricard. Located alongside is the Old Midleton Distillery which was established in the early 17th century.-History:...
(Jamesons, Powers, Paddy, Midleton, Redbreast, and others, plus the independently sold rarity Green Spot), Old Bushmills Distillery
Old Bushmills Distillery
The Old Bushmills Distillery is a distillery in Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is owned and operated by Diageo plc of London, England, and is a popular tourist attraction, with around 110,000 visitors per year...
(all Old Bushmills, Black Bush, 1608, Bushmills 10-, 12- and 16- and 21-year-old single malts), Cooley Distillery (Connemara, some Knappogues, (the '94 was by Bushmills) Michael Collins, Tyrconnell, and others) and the recently reopened Kilbeggan Distillery
Kilbeggan Distillery
Kilbeggan Distillery is situated on the River Brosna in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, Ireland....
, which began distilling again in 2007 and released samples of its still-maturing spirit at 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years worth of aging in 2009 as "The Spirit of Kilbeggan." Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers is a subsidiary of the French drinks conglomerate Pernod-Ricard S.A.. It was acquired in 1988 in a friendly takeover.-History:...
' Midleton distillery has been part of the Pernod-Ricard conglomerate
Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is a French company that produces distilled beverages. The company's eponymous products, Pernod Anise and Ricard Pastis, are both anise-flavoured liqueurs and are often referred to simply as Pernod or Ricard...
since 1988. Bushmills was part of the Irish Distillers group from 1972 until 2005 when it was sold to Diageo
Diageo
Diageo plc is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer and wine....
. In addition to the 4 distilleries, there are a number of independently owned Irish Whiskey brands, such Tullamore Dew
Tullamore Dew
Tullamore Dew is a blended Irish whiskey. It was originally a pot still whiskey, first distilled in 1829 in the small town of Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland. The name derives from the initials of an early manager of the concern, Mr. Daniel E. Williams: D.E.W. Tullamore Dew is the second...
and The Irishman. The Irishman specialise in re-creating some of Irelands lost whisky treasures such as Potstill whiskies.
Types
Column still
A column still, also called a continuous still, patent still or Coffey still, is a variety of still consisting of two columns invented in 1826 by Robert Stein, a Clackmannanshire distiller, and it was first used at the Cameron Bridge Grain Distillery in Fife, Scotland. The design was enhanced and...
from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
and other grains. This mixed-grain whiskey is much lighter and more neutral in flavour than the type called single malt, and most such mixed-grain whiskey is blended with single malts to produce relatively light flavoured blended whiskey
Blended whiskey
A blended whisky is the product of blending different types of whiskies and often also neutral and near-neutral spirits, coloring, and flavorings...
. However, there are a few Irish whiskies made from 100% malt
Malt
Malt is germinated cereal grains that have been dried in a process known as "malting". The grains are made to germinate by soaking in water, and are then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air...
ed barley and distilled using pot still
Pot still
A pot still is a type of still used in distilling spirits such as whisky or brandy. Heat is applied directly to the pot containing the wash or wine . This is called a batch distillation ....
s. Such a whiskey, when produced by a single distillery, is called a single malt whiskey.
Irish whiskey was one of the earliest distilled drinks in Europe, arising around the 12th century (see Distilled beverage
Distilled beverage
A distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
). The Old Bushmills Distillery
Old Bushmills Distillery
The Old Bushmills Distillery is a distillery in Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is owned and operated by Diageo plc of London, England, and is a popular tourist attraction, with around 110,000 visitors per year...
claims to be the oldest surviving licenced distillery in the world (it received a licence from James I
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
in 1608), although the Bushmills company was not established until the late 18th century. A statute introduced in the late 16th century introduced a viceregal license for the manufacture of whiskey.
Examples
- Blends: Black Bush, Bushmills OriginalOld Bushmills DistilleryThe Old Bushmills Distillery is a distillery in Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is owned and operated by Diageo plc of London, England, and is a popular tourist attraction, with around 110,000 visitors per year...
, ClontarfClontarf (whiskey)Clontarf is a triple distilled Irish whiskey produced by the Clontarf Whiskey Company, a subsidiary of Castle Brands Inc. The whiskey takes it name from the Battle of Clontarf in 1014...
, InishowenCooley (whiskey)Cooley Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery, located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. It is the only independent Irish owned distillery in Ireland, converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by John Teeling....
, The Irishman Potstill, JamesonJameson Irish WhiskeyJameson is a single distillery Irish whiskey produced by a division of the French distiller Pernod Ricard. Jameson is similar in its adherence to the single distillery principle to the single malt tradition, but Jameson combines malted barley with unmalted or "green" barley...
, KilbegganCooley (whiskey)Cooley Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery, located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. It is the only independent Irish owned distillery in Ireland, converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by John Teeling....
, Locke's BlendCooley (whiskey)Cooley Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery, located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. It is the only independent Irish owned distillery in Ireland, converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by John Teeling....
, Midleton Very RareMidleton Very RareMidleton Very Rare is a premium blended Irish whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers at their distillery, in the East Cork town of Midleton, from which it gets its name. Midleton Very Rare is considered by many to be the finest of Irish blended whiskey as well as among the finest Irish whiskeys in...
, MillarsCooley (whiskey)Cooley Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery, located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. It is the only independent Irish owned distillery in Ireland, converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by John Teeling....
, PaddyPaddy WhiskeyPaddy Whiskey is a brand of 80-proof blended Irish whiskey produced in Cork, Ireland, by the company Irish Distillers. The brand is Ireland's third best selling whiskey.-History:...
, PowersPowers (whiskey)Powers Gold Label is a brand of Irish whiskey. Originally a pure pot still whiskey, it is now produced from a blend of pot still and grain whiskey. It is the most popular Irish whiskey sold in Ireland, selling over 6 million measures per annum. - History :...
, Tullamore DewTullamore DewTullamore Dew is a blended Irish whiskey. It was originally a pot still whiskey, first distilled in 1829 in the small town of Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland. The name derives from the initials of an early manager of the concern, Mr. Daniel E. Williams: D.E.W. Tullamore Dew is the second...
, Writer's Tears - Pot stillPot stillA pot still is a type of still used in distilling spirits such as whisky or brandy. Heat is applied directly to the pot containing the wash or wine . This is called a batch distillation ....
: Green SpotGreen Spot (whiskey)Green Spot is a pot still distilled Irish whiskey, produced specifically for Mitchell & Son of Dublin, by Irish Distillers at the Midleton Distillery, Cork, Ireland...
, Jameson 15yr Old Pure Pot StillJameson Irish WhiskeyJameson is a single distillery Irish whiskey produced by a division of the French distiller Pernod Ricard. Jameson is similar in its adherence to the single distillery principle to the single malt tradition, but Jameson combines malted barley with unmalted or "green" barley...
, RedbreastRedbreast (whiskey)Redbreast is a pure pot still whiskey Irish Whiskey. The only consistently available expression is a 12-year although a 15 year old expression was released in 2010 as an ongoing bottling. Redbreast comes in a green bottle and the 12 year old is 40.0% ABV whereas the 15 year old is at 46% and...
(12, 15 yrs) - Single Malt: BushmillsOld Bushmills DistilleryThe Old Bushmills Distillery is a distillery in Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is owned and operated by Diageo plc of London, England, and is a popular tourist attraction, with around 110,000 visitors per year...
(10, 16, 21 yrs), Connemara Peated MaltCooley (whiskey)Cooley Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery, located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. It is the only independent Irish owned distillery in Ireland, converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by John Teeling....
(Regular, Cask Strength & 12 yrs), The Irishman Single Malt, Locke's Single MaltCooley (whiskey)Cooley Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery, located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. It is the only independent Irish owned distillery in Ireland, converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by John Teeling....
(8 yr), Tullamore Dew Single Malt (10 yr), TyrconnellCooley (whiskey)Cooley Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery, located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. It is the only independent Irish owned distillery in Ireland, converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by John Teeling.... - Single Grain: GreenoreCooley (whiskey)Cooley Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery, located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. It is the only independent Irish owned distillery in Ireland, converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by John Teeling....
(8, 10 yrs)
See also
- WhiskyWhiskyWhisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
- Irish whiskey brands
- Irish CreamIrish CreamIrish cream is a cream liqueur based on Irish whiskey, cream, and other ingredients such as coffee, which can be served on its own or used in mixed drinks or as part of a shot or a whole shot. Irish cream is very popular in the United Kingdom and the United States. Irish cream typically has between...
(liqueur made from Irish whiskey, coffee and cream) - PoitínPoitínPoitín , anglicised as poteen, is a traditional Irish distilled, highly alcoholic beverage . Poitín was traditionally distilled in a small pot still and the term is a diminutive of the Irish word pota, meaning "pot"...
Irish whiskey distilleries
- Cooley DistilleryCooley (whiskey)Cooley Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery, located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. It is the only independent Irish owned distillery in Ireland, converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by John Teeling....
- Kilbeggan DistilleryKilbeggan DistilleryKilbeggan Distillery is situated on the River Brosna in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, Ireland....
- New Midleton DistilleryNew Midleton DistilleryThe Midleton distilleries complex is situated outside Midleton, Co. Cork, Ireland. It is owned by Pernod-Ricard. Located alongside is the Old Midleton Distillery which was established in the early 17th century.-History:...
- Old Bushmills DistilleryOld Bushmills DistilleryThe Old Bushmills Distillery is a distillery in Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is owned and operated by Diageo plc of London, England, and is a popular tourist attraction, with around 110,000 visitors per year...
External links
- The Irish Whiskey Society has an active discussion forum.
- Irish Whiskey page at The Whiskey Guide
- Clip from Poteen Making / Déantús an Phoitín, a documentary on the origins and process of whiskey making
- Irish Whiskey Act, 1980