The New Age of Irish Whiskey by Robert Jacob
With four of the largest spirits companies in the world, now selling Irish Whiskey and many new distilleries coming on stream, the Irish Whiskey Industry is at the beginning of a new Golden age.
Distillers such as Midleton in Co. Cork , Cooley Distillery in Co. Louth and Bushmills in Co . Antrim, have been successfully operating in Ireland for many years, but now; What with Whiskey drinkers broadening their tastes and consumers demanding more diversity and quality, new small craft distillers are embracing the opportunity to fill a niche in the market with small batch and high value brands. Jack Teeling from Teeling Whiskey in Dublin is one of the names that immediately comes to mind, a young blood who is really doing well and a great innovator in the industry. Another is the Dingle distillery in Co Kerry, while their cask Whiskey won’t be ready until Dec 2015, they are successfully turning their hand at Artisan Pot Still Gin & Vodka.
The Irish Whiskey industry is enjoying the strongest period of growth in popularity since the 1800 s, both nationally and internationally. Sales in the USA alone saw the market grow by 22.5%, making it the fastest growing premium spirit category in the world, selling 6.2m cases last year. This vibrant industry looks set to an even brighter future as over 15 new distilleries are due to open in the near future.
The earliest reference to Whiskey in Ireland dates back to the 1400’s and the name derives from the Gallic word “Usquebaugh” “Uisce “ meaning water of life or aqua vitae and as the Normans were unable to pronounce it properly, it gradually evolved into the word Whiskey as it is known today.
The Unifying characteristics of Irish Whiskey and the different types are classified from the fermentation of the grain used, usually dried barley. It’s triple distillation in Pot Stills which resembles huge Copper kettles and aging in wooden barrels, called “ Cask “ usually Bourbon cask from the USA, Sherry cask from Spain & Port cask from Portugal. Time, not days, weeks or months but years of maturation in these cask will contribute to the colour and flavour of the Whiskey.
Barry Crokett, Master Distiller at Middleton Distillery at the launch of Powers Single Cask. Sept 2014
The Nose: Terms used can vary from light to rich, robust to mellow and simple to complex. The addition of a little water will bring the full bouquet of the spirit to the fore.
The Taste: As the first sip is held in the mouth, the numerous and acutely sensitive taste buds of the tongue differentiate the taste profile of the whiskey. Usual terms will include spicy, nutty, vanilla, dark chocolate, woody, honey, full bodied and creamy.
The Finish: Having savoured the taste, the finish refers to the more defined flavour that is left behind in your mouth being quite different from the initial sip, leaving either a sweet, dry or smooth essence.
A great quote from the Jameson Masters is
“Whiskey is the creation of something harmonious and fundamentally social….
It brings together the mastery of the distilling process with the mystery of its humble ingredients.
It is this indefinable nature that makes a Premium Whiskey far more than the sum of its part.”
Single Pot Still Whiskey
“A uniquely Irish spirit , Single Pot Still Whiskey is made from both malted and unmalted barley . No other country makes Whiskey from unmalted barley , For many , this style represents the best in Irish Whiskey .”
Irish Single Cask Whiskey
“Often unique , one off and hard to find , these Whiskeys are bottled from single barrels that have been singled out for their superiority .”
Cask Strength Whiskey
“Higher in alcohol , these are whiskeys that are uncut and bottled at natural barrel strength, commonly between 50-60% ABV , they are much loved as they show each whiskey in its truest form .”
Single Malt Whiskey
“Made solely from malted barley and produced in one location . Single malts , along with Pot Still whiskeys represent the pinnacle in quality.”
©2012-2014;Robert Jacob;jacob'scrackers;jacobscrackers9; All rights reserved
Distillers such as Midleton in Co. Cork , Cooley Distillery in Co. Louth and Bushmills in Co . Antrim, have been successfully operating in Ireland for many years, but now; What with Whiskey drinkers broadening their tastes and consumers demanding more diversity and quality, new small craft distillers are embracing the opportunity to fill a niche in the market with small batch and high value brands. Jack Teeling from Teeling Whiskey in Dublin is one of the names that immediately comes to mind, a young blood who is really doing well and a great innovator in the industry. Another is the Dingle distillery in Co Kerry, while their cask Whiskey won’t be ready until Dec 2015, they are successfully turning their hand at Artisan Pot Still Gin & Vodka.
The Irish Whiskey industry is enjoying the strongest period of growth in popularity since the 1800 s, both nationally and internationally. Sales in the USA alone saw the market grow by 22.5%, making it the fastest growing premium spirit category in the world, selling 6.2m cases last year. This vibrant industry looks set to an even brighter future as over 15 new distilleries are due to open in the near future.
The earliest reference to Whiskey in Ireland dates back to the 1400’s and the name derives from the Gallic word “Usquebaugh” “Uisce “ meaning water of life or aqua vitae and as the Normans were unable to pronounce it properly, it gradually evolved into the word Whiskey as it is known today.
The Unifying characteristics of Irish Whiskey and the different types are classified from the fermentation of the grain used, usually dried barley. It’s triple distillation in Pot Stills which resembles huge Copper kettles and aging in wooden barrels, called “ Cask “ usually Bourbon cask from the USA, Sherry cask from Spain & Port cask from Portugal. Time, not days, weeks or months but years of maturation in these cask will contribute to the colour and flavour of the Whiskey.
Barry Crokett, Master Distiller at Middleton Distillery at the launch of Powers Single Cask. Sept 2014
The Nose: Terms used can vary from light to rich, robust to mellow and simple to complex. The addition of a little water will bring the full bouquet of the spirit to the fore.
The Taste: As the first sip is held in the mouth, the numerous and acutely sensitive taste buds of the tongue differentiate the taste profile of the whiskey. Usual terms will include spicy, nutty, vanilla, dark chocolate, woody, honey, full bodied and creamy.
The Finish: Having savoured the taste, the finish refers to the more defined flavour that is left behind in your mouth being quite different from the initial sip, leaving either a sweet, dry or smooth essence.
A great quote from the Jameson Masters is
“Whiskey is the creation of something harmonious and fundamentally social….
It brings together the mastery of the distilling process with the mystery of its humble ingredients.
It is this indefinable nature that makes a Premium Whiskey far more than the sum of its part.”
Single Pot Still Whiskey
Irish Single Cask Whiskey
“Often unique , one off and hard to find , these Whiskeys are bottled from single barrels that have been singled out for their superiority .”
Cask Strength Whiskey
“Higher in alcohol , these are whiskeys that are uncut and bottled at natural barrel strength, commonly between 50-60% ABV , they are much loved as they show each whiskey in its truest form .”
Single Malt Whiskey
“Made solely from malted barley and produced in one location . Single malts , along with Pot Still whiskeys represent the pinnacle in quality.”
©2012-2014;Robert Jacob;jacob'scrackers;jacobscrackers9; All rights reserved
ROBERT JACOB
A Classically trained Chef,Food writer, and Culinary instructor having worked in some of Dublin and London Michelin star establishments such as Chapter One, Dublin, Gordon Ramsay, London & the 5* Boutique hotel, TheDylan among others. His work is regularly featured in some of the leading magazines and newspapers in Ireland and he is currently working on a book about Irish Honey due to be published later in 2015.
TWITTER: @jacobscrackers9 WEB: http://jacobcrackers.blogspot.com
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