A Beginner’s Guide to Irish Whiskey
5 min read
Whiskey was very probably invented in Ireland - the word itself comes from the Irish uisce beatha, “water of life” - and Irish whiskey was once the most popular spirit in the world. After a long decline it’s now in the middle of a spectacular revival, with new distilleries opening across the island. Here’s a guide to getting started.
What makes it Irish
Irish whiskey is traditionally known for being smooth and approachable, and two things help explain that. First, much of it is triple-distilled (rather than the double distillation more common in Scotland), which produces a lighter, cleaner spirit. Second, Irish whiskey is usually made from unpeated malt, so it lacks the smoky character of many Scotch whiskies. The result is generally gentle, honeyed and easy to drink - a good place for a newcomer to begin.
The styles
There are a few main styles. Blended whiskey - Jameson being the giant - mixes different whiskey types for a consistent, smooth profile. Single malt is made from malted barley at one distillery. Grain whiskey is lighter and often used in blends. And then there’s single pot still, a style unique to Ireland, made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley in a pot still, giving a distinctive spicy, creamy character. Redbreast is the classic example and a wonderful introduction to what makes Irish whiskey special.
The distilleries
Bushmills in County Antrim holds the world’s oldest licence to distil, dating to 1608. The vast Midleton distillery in Cork produces Jameson, Powers, Redbreast and more. The revival has brought a wave of newcomers and revivals - Teeling and the Liberties in Dublin, Dingle in Kerry, Slane in Meath, Waterford, and many others - so a distillery tour is now an easy and rewarding thing to build into a trip.
How to drink it
However you like it. Neat or with a drop of water to open up the aromas is the connoisseur’s way; over ice is perfectly acceptable; and the Irish coffee - whiskey, hot coffee, sugar and a float of cream - is a deservedly famous invention. Just don’t spell it “whisky” (without the e) in Irish company - that’s the Scottish spelling, and the extra letter is a small point of national pride. Sláinte.
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