What is Irish Whiskey?

When you think of Irish Whiskey, Jameson is probably the first thing that pops to mind. For a good reason, at one point, it was the most popular whiskey in the world. It can still be found at almost every bar in the world. But there is more to Irish Whiskey. 

The origins of whiskey is a long and heated debate. Is it Ireland or Scotland? I will let someone else try to solve that one. What we do know a form of whiskey (I use that term loosely) was being consumed in the 1400s. Mostly made by farmers to use excess grain. The heart of this is poitin made from malted barley. In the 1680s, malted barley was taxed, creating a blend of malt and unmalted grains to avoid taxes. This eventually turns into Pot Still Whiskey. 

The mid-1700s enters Jameson, Powers, and Roe. This becomes the golden age of poitin. Irish Whiskey rises in popularity, but by 1966 only four Irish Distillers remained. Jameson, Powers, and Cork Distillers (Midleton.) To save the industry, they consolidated into one company: Irish Distillers Ltd. The fourth Bushmills joined in 1972. 

The full history is a book, but I do think you need some background to understand where the industry is at. 

Up until the past 10 years, all Irish Whiskey came from Midleton, Cooley, or Bushmills. Since then, distilleries such a Teeling, Tullamore Dew, Walsh Distillery, and others have opened their doors. Contract distilling is widespread in Ireland, so it is not uncommon to see a young brand with an older whiskey. 

So what is Irish Whiskey?

It is a whiskey distilled in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland (Ireland) from grains. Distilled at less than 94.8% ABV and aged at least 3 years in Ireland. Here is the basic breakout of Irish Whiskeys.

• Grain Whiskey

• Malt Whiskey

• Pot Still Whiskey

• Blended Whiskey

Grain Whiskey

It is a whiskey that uses different grains such as corn or wheat plus barley. For the most part, these whiskeys get used in blends, but Cooley bottles a single grain. Greenore is double distilled and aged in ex-bourbon barrels.

Malt Whiskey

Like Scotland, Ireland refers to single malts made with 100% malted barley in a copper pot still. It must age at least 3 years, but most are much older. Many distilleries are making single malts such as Cooley, Teeling, and Bushmills. 

Pot Still Whiskey

This is 100% unique to Ireland. Pot Still Whiskey is a combination of malted and unmalted barley. The new EU rules state a minimum of 30% malted and 30% unmalted barley must be used. It may have started to avoid taxes, but evolved into a signature style. Red Breast 12 and Gree Spot are great examples. There is a sense of green, fruity aromas of apples, peaches, and pears. 

Blended Irish Whiskey

This is a broad category that includes Jameson, Bushmills, The Irishman, and Tullamore Dew.  Blended whiskey implies a mixture of grain whiskey and either malt whiskey or pot still whiskey or both. 

• Grain + Pot Still = Jameson and Powers

• Grain + Malt = Bushmills and Kilbeggan

• Malt + Pot Still = The Irishman and Writers Tears

• Grain + Malt + Pot Still = Tullamore Dew Blend

This covers the styles, but there are a couple of myths as well. 

Not all Irish Whiskey is triple distilled. Irish whiskey is not peated, well traditional might have been. Welcome the only peated Irish Single Malt (that I am aware of) Connemara.

In some ways, the resurgence of Irish whiskey is like the craft whiskey boom in the states. These young distilleries are experimenting and pushing the envelope for innovation. 

Ireland is producing whiskey worth checking out. Next time you are your favorite liquor store, peruse on over and grab a bottle.