Irish Whiskey Flashcards
History
One of the earliest distilled drinks in Europe.
By 1556 whiskey was widespread to the point where a law was passed by the English Parliament which made it illegal for anyone other than “the peers, gentlemen, and freeman of larger towns” to distill spirits without a license from the lord deputy. This law only extended to the Pale (fortified area around Dublin) so had little or no effect on whiskey production.
In 1779 Parliament passed a law prohibiting distillers from using any ingredient other than malt, green, potatoes, or sugar in the production of whiskey.
The invention of the Coffety Still in 1832, the great famine in the 1840s, and prohibition in the United States contributed to the decline of Irish whiskey.
As of 2017, there are currently 16 distillery operating in Ireland.
Production
Irish whiskey must be distilled in Ireland from a mash of cereal grains.
Irish whiskey must be distilled to less than 94.8% ABV or 189.6 proof.
Must be distilled so that the distillate has an aroma and flavor derived from the materials used.
Contains no additives except for water and caramel coloring.
Must be stored in wooden casks not to exceed 185 gallons in Ireland for no less than three years.
Must be bottled in Ireland and is not allowed to be exported in any type of wooden container.
Irish Malt Whiskey
Must be made from 100% malted barley with the wort separated from the solids before fermentation it must be distilled in pot stills.
Typically triple distilled although double distillations may be used.
Irish Grain whiskey
Produced from a mash containing a maximum of 30% melted barley. The remainder is made up of unsalted cereal grains - typically maze, wheat, or barley.
Irish pot still whiskey
Required to be produced using a mash containing a minimum of 30% malted barley and a minimum of 30% on unmalted barley. The remainder of the mash may be malted or unmalted barley and may include up to 5% other unmalted cereal grains (usually oats or rye).
Blended Irish Whiskey
A blend of two or more different whiskey types which must be made in accordance with the standards in each type. The blends can include Irish malt whiskey, Irish grain whiskey and or Irish pot still whiskey.
Irish non-peated malt
I wish whiskey uses non-Peden malt which makes it considerably smoother and less smoky than scotch
Grain recipe
With the exception of Irish malt whiskey, Irish whiskey is produced using a combination of malted and unmalted barley as well as some other unmalted grain. The use of unmalted barley gives Irish whiskeys a unique leathery flavor.
Distillation
Traditionally triple distilled.
Irish malt whiskey and pot still whiskey must be distilled in pot stills.
Irish green whiskey is required to be distilled and column stills.
Maturation
Required to be aged in Ireland, in wooden casks, for at least three years. Many are matured for as long as 7 to 8 years before being bottled and shipped.
Can you use new or used wooden casks, although used casks are the traditional choice.
