People frequently ask bartenders, "What is Irish whiskey?", and while the answer isn't simple, a broad look at the Irish whiskey category is essential to understanding the category. Irish whiskey was the most popular whiskey category in America prior to Prohibition and with a surge of interest in Irish whiskey again, it may soon return to its dominant place as America's favorite style of whiskey.
Regulations
Irish whiskey is one of the most popular forms of whiskey in the world. Soley a product of Ireland, the rules for the production of Irish whiskey date back to 1880. The two major components of the laws are as follows;
- spirits described as Irish whiskey shall not be deemed to correspond to that description unledss they have been obtained by distillation in the Ireland from a mash of malt and cereals.
- spirits described as Irish Pot Still whiskey shall not be deemed to correspond to this description unless they have been obtained by distillation solely in pot stills in Ireland from a mash of cereal grains such as are ordinarily grown in Ireland.
Distillation
Traditionally, Irish whiskey is triple distilled in copper pot stills versus the usual practice of double distillation for Scotch whisky. Additionally, Irish whiskey is generally not exposed to peat smoke as are many Scotch whiskies.
Distilleries
There are three whiskey distilleries left in Ireland;
- Midleton- Located in County Cork at the southern end of Ireland, the Midleton Distillery produces Jameson, Mildeton, Powers, Paddy's, Redbreast and Green Spot as well as contract whiskies like Tullamore Dew.
- Bushmills- Located in Northern Ireland, the Bushmills Distillery produces Black Bush and Bushmills Irish whiskies as well as contract whiskies like Slieve Foy.
- Cooley- The only independent distillery left in Ireland, the Cooley Distillery produces Tyrconnell, Kilbeggan, Connemara and Greenore as well as a wide range of contract whiskies like Michael Collins.
Irish Whiskey Classifications
- Single Malt
- Single Grain
- Single Pot Still (formerly Pure Pot Still)
- Grain
- Blended
Flavor Profile
Irish whiskies can generally be described as light and fruity with evident cereal grain notes.