Irish Whiskey

Question 1

The processes at which distillery remain a reference point for Irish Whiskey?

Answer 1

The Pernod Ricard Distillery at Midleton

Question 2

What are the key grains that are used in the production of Irish Whiskey?

Answer 2

Malted barley, unmalted barley, and maize (corn)

Question 3

Unmalted barley gives a different set of aromas vs malted barley which are commonly described as…

Answer 3

Nutty and oily

Question 4

What is the only type of Irish Whiskey to require the use of unmalted barley?

Answer 4

Irish Pot Still Whiskey

Question 5

What are the requirements of an Irish Whiskey?

Answer 5

It can be made from a mash of malted grains as well as unmalted grains and other cereals; exogenous enzymes are permitted; must be distilled to 94.8% abv or less; must be matured in wood barrels 700L or less for 3 years on the island of Ireland; only water and caramel color can be added; bottling strength must be 40% abv; oak is not required but is the norm

Question 6

What are the 4 types of Irish Whiskeys?

Answer 6

1. Pot Still Irish Whiskey AKA Irish Pot Still Whiskey
2. Malt Irish Whiskey AKA Irish Malt Whiskey
3. Grain Irish Whiskey AKA Irish Grain Whiskey
4. Blended Irish Whiskey AKA Irish Blended Whiskey

Question 7

Pot Still Irish Whiskey (mash, distillation)

Answer 7

Mash:
- minimum 30% unpeated malted barley
- minimum 30% unmalted barley
- other unmalted cereal

Distillation:
- Pot Stills: 2x to 3x

Question 8

Malt Irish Whiskey (mash, distillation)

Answer 8

Mash:
- 100% Malted barley
- May included peated malt

Distillation:
- Pot Still: 2x - 3x

Question 9

Grain Irish Whiskey (mash, distillation)

Answer 9

Mash:
- Unmalted grains with malted barley
- No more than 30% malted barley

Distillation:
- Must be distilled in column still

Question 10

Blended Irish Whiskey (mash, distillation)

Answer 10

A blend of 2 or more Irish whiskey types

Question 11

Triple Pot Distillation (1st Distillation)
- Still Type
- Wash abv
- abv of low wines

Answer 11

• Still Type: Wash Still
• Wash abv: 8-10%
• abv of low wines produced: 25% abv

Question 12

Triple Pot Distillation (2nd Distillation)
- Still Type
- abv before
- abv/name of product for 3rd distillation

Answer 12

• Still Type: Feints Still
• abv before: under 30%
• abv/name of product for 3rd distillation:
  • Strong Feints
  • 70% abv
• Weak Feints = heads & tails
• Weak Feints are redistilled with low wines

Question 13

Triple Pot Distillation (3rd Distillation)
- Still Type
- abv before
- abv after
- Names of heads & tails of 3rd Distillation

Answer 13

• Still Type: Spirit Still
• abv before: 70%
• abv after: 84%
• Heads & Tails = Pot Feints
  • redistilled with Strong Feints in next batch

Question 14

Triple Pot vs Double Pot Style

Answer 14

Triple:
- More selective process
- Spirits are generally lighter in style
- More options to control style
- Different options for cuts on both Feint & Spirits stills
- Create diversity in spirit especially when adding different mash bill options
- Create varying volume of heads & tails with different compositions
- Not possible to have a balanced operation like Scotch (Double Pot)
- Group 2 fractions are reclaimed from left over heads and tails using a double column still