Irish monks on the shore
Well, after that a difficult time began. A problem such as alcoholism appeared, and the majority of the Irish population gave up alcohol. It goes without saying that the producers of the drink suffered enormous damage. Then, in the 1920s, an economic crisis thundered in the United States, after which Prohibition was introduced, and this completely blocked access to the American market for Irish whiskey. And this, not to mention the serious competition that the British made, filling the alcohol market with their Scotch tape. All this negatively affected sales and the Irish were forced to reduce the production of their drink. It took them a while to sort out all the financial problems, and today the Irish producers are gradually but surely recovering their positions.
Irish whiskeys
Jameson Factory
Today the largest distilleries in Ireland are:
- Old Bushmills Distillery – located in the village of Bushmills in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. This distillery has a long and rich history dating back to 1608, when Sir Thomas Phillips obtained a royal whiskey license from James I. The plant survived fire, smuggling and heavy losses in the American market, but despite this it continues to thrive to this day. Today Bushmills produces 4.5 million liters of whiskey a year and stores 170,000 full barrels. Belongs to the international company Diageo. Issued by: Old Bushmills, Black Bush, 1608, Bushmills. By the way, in 2010, at the International SpiritsChallenge, held in San Francisco, Bushmills was awarded the title of 'Best Irish Whiskey in the World'.
- New Midleton Distillery – located in County Cork and is the main distillery of the group of Irish producers with a production capacity of 19 million liters per year. Founded in 1966, owned by Pernod Ricard since 1988. Open all year round for visits and excursions. It produces such world-famous whiskeys as: Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Powers, Paddy, Midleton, Redbreast and Green Spot.
Tullamore Dew whiskey advertisement
- Cooley Distillery – Created in the late 20th century and takes its name from Mount Cooley, located about 80 miles north of Dublin. Cooley has been relentlessly reviving traditional distillation methods, which does not go unnoticed – the plant has received more than 300 medals and the title of 'World Producer of the Year 2008'. Since 2011, owned by Beam. Produced by: Connemara, Knappogue, Michael Collins, Tyrconnell, St. Patrick, Finnegan.
The rest of the factories have either turned into museums and local attractions, such as the famous Jameson Distillery in Dublin and Tullamore Dew in Tullamore, or were built relatively recently and are about to start producing their own product.
Whiskey production process
Barrels of whiskey in a warehouse
Whiskey preparation is a complex and painstaking process. Generally speaking, the production recipe includes three stages: fermentation, distillation and aging. It all starts with the fermentation of the grains, after the distillation of the contents begins, and only then the whiskey is settled in oak barrels. Unlike Scotch, Irish whiskey does not use peat. Instead, kilns dry the malt, which gives it its unique flavor. Also, the production technology requires obligatory triple distillation and at least 3 years of aging.
What are the ingredients used in the production of Irish whiskey? It's actually quite simple here: barley and barley malt with the addition of wheat, rye and oats. But there is one essential ingredient, without which Irish whiskey would lose its unique taste – pure natural water.
Old Bushmills Distillery Factory
So, it's time to tell you about the stages of Irish whiskey production.
First, the grain is soaked, usually this process lasts two days. Then, the grain is laid out in a thin layer and seed germination begins. Some of the grain starch is converted to sugar. Now, the sprouted grain can be placed in the oven, thereby eliminating the absorption of foreign aromas and odors. This results in a kind of mild malt flavor. It's time to grind and after we grind the malt with barley, we must put all the contents in special vats and pour hot water. This is done in order for the starch and sugar to dissolve in the water. The liquid is separated from the grain sediment and everything is pumped into another vat. Then, the main element of fermentation is added – yeast. The wort is aged, which lasts two days. Sugar after this time turns into carbon dioxide and alcohol. When the wort was ripe, it was time for distillation, and not simple, but triple.
Whiskey production, distillation
First, we get alcohol 25-30%, and after the second stage of distillation 65-70%. The third stage of distillation will not give us degrees, but will produce a final purification. Now, finally having received whiskey, we can pour it into oak barrels. The barrels, by the way, are assembled by hand. In the room where they are stored, absolute darkness and silence is observed so that nothing interferes with the aging process. During this time, the main notes of taste are formed and the whiskey acquires its trademark golden color. Well, and, probably, the most pleasant thing is that after a while, the experts unseal the barrel and conduct a tasting. If all is well, further mixing occurs. More than thirty different varieties can be mixed in one barrel. After that, everything is filtered again, pure Irish water is added to create the desired strength, and finally, the drink is bottled.
A note on Irish whiskey
When buying, you should also pay attention to etiquette. If it has the inscription pure malt, then you should know that only barley malt of various varieties of barley was used in the manufacture of the drink. If you see single malt, then this suggests that only one variety of barley malt was used and everything was prepared in one enterprise. Finally, if it says blended, it means you are holding blended whiskey.
Which Irish Whiskey to Choose?
Whiskey glasses filled with drink
St. Patrick's Day is long gone, but I don't think you need a reason to drink such a noble drink as whiskey. Perhaps you only need a free evening and the knowledge of which whiskey to choose. To say that some whiskey is worse, and some is better, would be fundamentally wrong. But what we can be 100% sure of is the variety of this drink. In principle, I will not talk about Jameson in this collection, since we can say that it has already become synonymous with Irish whiskey. Instead, I found something more interesting for you. So let's take a look at our wine cabinet …
- Bushmills Blended Irish Whiskey is a good Irish whiskey with a light golden color. It contains flavors of pear, apple and vanilla. It is very soft and great for beginners;
- Connemara Peated Single Malt – has a pleasant note of peat and a sweet aroma;
- Kilbeggan Blended Irish Whiskey – slightly sweet, moderately scalding, affordable – can also be a starting point for those who decide to study whiskey;
- Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Has a sweet start with hints of honey, toasted malt, milk chocolate and maple. A very sophisticated and noble 'Irishman';
- Michael Collins Single Malt 10 Year Whiskey is a soft and muted start. Sweetish, with a touch of smoke, wood and raisins, just like the Kilbeggan Blended Irish Whiskey, perfect for beginners;
- Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey is a strong sweet start with light tones of wood, vanilla, spice and brown sugar.
- Red Breast 21 Year Old Irish Whiskey – from the very beginning you will be surprised by the sour and, at the same time, slightly spicy shade of green pear, oak and pepper. The basis is: apple, pear, honey, malt, caramel, oak and allspice. After drinking, there is a long aftertaste.
- Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey – honey, caramel, malt and oak will welcome you. And only then, it will absorb dark chocolate, vanilla, cloves and cinnamon. All flavors are fantastically combined and complement each other. Careful, this guy has character!
- Tullamore Dew Blended Irish Whiskey – a green apple combined with caramel and grain – a very strong and aromatic opening. Yes, yes, this is one of those whiskeys that will not leave you indifferent. This is followed by another apple, but with a greater bias towards caramel and salty shade. Well, after a while, with increasing intensity, all the fullness of oak, black pepper and spices will open to you. Also, you will be pleasantly surprised by the slight hint of chocolate. This is a very kind and warm whiskey. Invite him into your glass and he will make your evening emotional.
- Yellow Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a proud guy with a dark golden color. The shade of oak is poorly expressed, but it is difficult not to notice it. Initially, honey, milk chocolate, cream, peach and some malt will welcome you. The further you get to know Yellow Spot Single Pot Still, the more you will feel the dry notes of oak, black and allspice. Leaves a pleasant fresh aftertaste.
Finally
Irish whiskey
Irish whiskey, like any other drink, has its own characteristics, history and fans. And, as I said earlier, it's silly to argue about which whiskey is bad and which is good. Perhaps there is only suitable and unsuitable whiskey. Therefore, take the choice of your bottle of whiskey as seriously as if you were choosing your wife. No kidding. Remember, it depends only on you whether you will have a headache in the morning and whether there is a pleasant aftertaste after the night! Good luck!
