subject: A To Z Of Irish Whiskey [print this page] Everyone who drinks alcoholic beverages is at least marginally familiar with the drink whiskey. Whiskey or whisky (both are correct!) is the name used for a variety of distilled liquors that are produced from grains and aged in oak casts. The word whiskey is an Anglicization of a Gaelic phrase meaning water of life and for many alcohol consumers worldwide, this definition stands true to its name. Whiskey is classified by the countries in which they are made. Whiskey made in Scotland, also known as Scotch, is well known around the world. Another globally known brand is Irish whiskey whiskey made in Ireland.
Compared to Scotch, the regulations defining Irish whiskey are relatively simple and include that Irish whiskey must be distilled and aged in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland, and the spirits must be distilled to an alcohol by volume level of less than 94.8% from cereal grains that have been fermented by yeast. The product must be aged for at three years in wooden casks and if comprised of two or more distillates, should be referred to as blended Irish whiskey.
There are several types of Irish whiskey single pot still, single malt, single grain and blended Irish whiskey. Irish pot still whiskey is distilled three times, and peat is rarely used in the malting process. This gives Irish whiskey a smooth finish as opposed to the smoky overtones tasted with Scotch. Ireland has only four distilleries operating currently New Midleton Distillery which produces Jamesons, Powers, Paddy, Midleton; Old Bushmills Distillery which makes all Old Bushmills, Black Bush, 1608 and Bushmills; Cooley Distillery which produces Connemara, Michael Collins and Tyrconnel and Kilbeggan Distillery, which recently began distilling again in 2007. Apart from these four main distilleries, there are a number of independently owned brands such as Tullamore Dew.
Here are some of the best Irish whiskey brands that everyone has to taste, at least once in their lifetime. Bushmills Black Bush is well known for having a good colour, with floral notes blended with citrus and sweet vanilla. Jameson Blended has an aroma that is of overripe autumn fruit and honey blended citrus and is mildly spicy. Kilbeggan Blended is also a favourite and is known for being very sweet with a tinged smokey finish. Michael Collins Single Malt is another recommended item and has an aroma of orange peel and vanilla bean with a hint of smoke in the end. Bushmills Blended is also a favoured whiskey item and is said to be very soft and easy on the taste buds, with a vanilla smell and hints of apple and pear in the end.
