"Easy to drink" - this is how the mild and smooth character of Irish whiskey produced on the Emerald Isle is often described. For many decades, Irish whiskey was primarily known for its triple distillation and the absence of peat smoke. Well-known distilleries include Bushmills in Northern Ireland and Midleton and Cooley in the south.
The spelling with an additional "e" is striking - whiskey instead of whisky. This goes back to a historical dispute between Ireland and Scotland over who distilled the noble drink first. The Irish decided in favour of the different spelling to differentiate themselves.
The market for Irish whiskey is dominated by blended whiskeys, but single malt, grain whiskey and a real Irish speciality, single pot still whiskey, also characterise the diverse range.
"Easy to drink" - that's not what it's meant to be!
The whiskey river of Dublin
On the evening of 18 June 1875, a warehouse containing 5,000 barrels of whiskey caught fire in Chamber Street. When the flames reached the barrels, they burst and a burning river of whiskey poured through the streets of Dublin.
While firefighters and soldiers battled the inferno, many residents saw a golden opportunity - they gathered around the liquid gold, scooping it up with pots, boots and bare hands and drank it for all it was worth. The result? 13 people died - not from the fire, but from alcohol poisoning.
The aftermath of the fire was chaotic: families were left homeless, barrels mysteriously disappeared - and even a dog, apparently intoxicated by the whiskey, jumped to its death.
Dublin's Lord Mayor put it in a nutshell: "Fortunately, the death toll was low. Those who died just couldn't help themselves.
What is Irish Whiskey?
Irish whiskey is a protected spirit that must be produced in Ireland in accordance with established legal requirements. It is characterised by a mild, often fruity flavour and is traditionally triple distilled.
Legal requirements for Irish whiskey
According to the Irish Whiskey Act 1980, Irish whiskey must be:
- Be produced and matured in Ireland or Northern Ireland,
- be distilled from grain and water,
- matured in wooden casks for at least three years,
- have an alcohol content of at least 40 % vol.
Spelling - "Whiskey" vs. "Whisky"
The spelling with an "e" - Whiskey - serves to differentiate it from Scotch Whisky. While Ireland and the USA use "Whiskey", Scotland and many other countries stick with "Whisky". You can find the story behind this here.
History
Ireland is considered one of the birthplaces of whiskey. Monks brought the art of distillation to the island as early as the 12th century. Irish whiskey production flourished for centuries, and in the 19th century Irish whiskey was the world leader.
However, wars, prohibition in the USA and economic crises led to its decline in the 20th century. Numerous distilleries were forced to close and production shrank drastically.
You can find out more about the fascinating history of Irish whiskey here.
Renaissance of Irish Whiskey
Irish Whiskey has experienced an impressive rebirth since the 1990s. New distilleries are emerging, old brands are flourishing again and the variety is growing. Single pot still and premium qualities in particular are gaining in popularity. Today, Irish whiskey is one of the fastest growing spirits in the world.
Production of Irish Whiskey
The production of Irish whiskey begins with the main ingredients water, barley and yeast. Firstly, the barley is malted to release the sugar, which is later mixed with water in the mash. This is followed by fermentation, during which the yeast converts the sugar into alcohol. After this first phase, the whiskey is distilled, whereby Irish whiskey is characterised by triple distillation. After distillation, the whiskey is matured in oak barrels. Read more!
Triple distillation - a unique selling point
Triple distillation is the key feature that sets Irish whiskey apart from others. This additional step ensures a particularly mild and smooth flavour. Triple distillation results in a clearer and finer product that is characterised by its pleasant, less harsh character.
Triple distillation process
In triple distillation, the raw spirit undergoes three separate distillation processes. Firstly, the fermented mash, also known as the "pre-run" or "wash", is heated in the first still, the "pre-run boiler" or "wash still". The resulting vapour condenses into a distillate with a higher alcohol content. This intermediate product is distilled again in a second still, the "Feints Still" or "Intermediate Still". The third and final distillation process takes place in the "Spirit Still", where the final raw spirit is produced. This triple distillation increases the alcohol content and further reduces undesirable accompanying substances, resulting in a purer and smoother end product.
Flavour effects
The additional distillation removes more fusel oils and other heavy components, resulting in a lighter and smoother flavour profile.
Types of Irish Whiskey
There are various types of Irish whiskey, which differ in terms of the ingredients used and the production process. The best-known varieties are pot still whiskey, single malt, blended whiskey and single grain. Each of these categories has its own characteristics and flavours that make Irish whiskey so diverse.
Well-known Irish whiskey brands
Irish whiskey has a loyal following worldwide and many renowned brands are known from Ireland. Among the best known are Jameson, Bushmills, Teeling and Redbreast. These distilleries offer a variety of whiskeys, from blended whiskeys and single malts to the characteristic pot still and grain whiskeys.
Pot Still Whiskey - The Irish speciality
Let's start with a special type of Irish whiskey that actually only exists in Ireland: Pot Still Whiskey. This whiskey is distilled from a blend of malted and unmalted barley in a pot still. Pot stills are traditional stills that produce a rich and complex flavour.
The use of unmalted bar ley goes back to a historical necessity: after the introduction of a malt tax, Irish master distillers began to use unmalted barley to reduce costs. Today, this special technique is a distinctive feature of Irish whiskey.
If the whiskey comes from a single distillery, it can call itself a single pot still.
Single Malt Irish Whiskey - The parallel to Scotch
Single malt Irish whiskey is the Irish answer to the famous Scottish single malt whisky. This whiskey is produced from 100% malted barley in a single distillery and distilled in a traditional pot still. The difference to single pot still whiskey is that only malted barley is used, resulting in a clearer and lighter flavour.
The process of making single malt Irish whiskey is similar to that of Scotch whisky, but in Ireland peat is generally not used - this means that Irish single malt is generally less smoky than its Scottish relative. Flavours of vanilla, honey and fresh fruit often dominate the taste.
Blended Irish Whiskey - the most popular variant
Blended Irish whiskey was the predominant type of whiskey on the Emerald Isle for a long time and is still the most produced and consumed whiskey in Ireland today. This whiskey is a blend of malt whiskey and grain whiskey, whereby the exact composition can vary depending on the brand.
The higher the proportion of malt whiskey in the blend, the higher the quality and more complex the flavour of the whiskey. The combination of malt and grain provides a balance of rich flavours and smooth texture, making blended Irish whiskey a particularly smooth and approachable choice. The triple distillation process typical of Irish whiskey makes it particularly smooth and mild in flavour. These characteristics make it the ideal choice for whiskey beginners.
Grain Whiskey
Grain Irish whiskey has its roots in the increase in the malt tax in the 18th century. To reduce the tax burden, Irish distillers began to replace some of the malt with other grains such as maize, wheat and unmalted barley. This development led to the rise of grain whiskey, which is characterised by a lighter and less complex taste.
Grain whiskey is usually distilled in distillation columns (column stills), which is a continuous distillation process. This process enables more efficient and cost-effective production compared to traditional pot still distillation. As a result, grain whiskey is often cheaper than the other Irish whiskey varieties.
As with single malt whiskey, there is also single grain whiskey if the grain comes from a single distillery. Although these whiskeys do not have the same complexity as their malt counterparts, they still offer high quality and a softer, milder flavour.
How do you enjoy Irish Whiskey?
Irish whiskey can be enjoyed in different ways:
- Pure: The classic pleasure. Simply serve in a whisky glass and enjoy slowly.
- With water: A few drops of water release the flavours and soften the whiskey.
- On the rocks: Chilled with ice cubes, the whiskey softens its sharpness.
- In cocktails: Ideal for classics such as Irish coffee or whiskey sours.
Thanks to its mildness and versatility, Irish whiskey is an excellent choice both on its own and in mixed drinks.
Conclusion
Irish whiskey is characterised by its versatility, smoothness and high quality. With its rich history, which is deeply rooted in Irish culture, it offers a wide range of whiskeys - from blended whiskey to single pot still, single malt and single grain. Particularly noteworthy is the triple distillation, which ensures the typically mild flavour. Whether pure, with water or in cocktails, Irish whiskey suits every occasion and every flavour. Thanks to its long tradition and constant development, Irish whiskey is still an integral part of the global whiskey landscape.
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