Discover Irish Pot Still

In the corner of a dank stone barn a lone figure is hunched over a smouldering peat fire tending carefully to the embers as a copper cauldron balances precariously on top. Bubbling within is a beer made with whatever grain was left unsold from a poor harvest. Precious clear liquid drips out of a homemade spout bolted to the top of the cauldron, collecting into a barrel placed underneath. This is the farmers last hope to make rent and keep the Farm solvent over the cold winter. The spirit made would now be known as poitín and is the origins of Irish whiskey. This tradition of mixed mash distillation (a term for distilling lots of different grains together) continues into modern day Irish whiskey, although the Pot Stills are a lot larger, and more professionally constructed, and usually heated with steam now instead of direct fire. This style of whiskey is known as Single Pot Still and is one of the most interesting and highest quality whiskeys in the world. Now in modern times Single Pot Still is a lot more barley forward, so the taste profile is more in line with a quality Single Malt, but it contains malted and unmalted barley as well as allowing for a small percentage of other grain to be used. This gives Single Pot Still whiskey a unique flavour and texture. The texture of Irish Pot Still is thicker and creamier than a typical Single Malt. The flavour of Irish Single Pot Still is also analogous to a Single Malt but has a richer spice to it, as well as an added complexity from other grains when they are present. Irish Single Pot Still whiskey works very well with a number of cask types, some accentuate its creaminess, and others work well with the spice to lend greater depth of flavour. Irish Single Pot Still whiskey has a further advantage on the international stage, aside from its great taste, it has a Geographical Indication from the EU that is recognised and protected internationally, which is important in defending and promoting its uniqueness, especially in the key markets of America and China.