“Water of Life”

The Scots most likely learned about distilling from the Irish (though they are loath to admit it). The Irish in turn learned about it, according to the Irish at least, from missionary monks who arrived in Ireland in the seventh century and were distilling aqua vitae (“water of life”), primarily for making medical compounds. Thus, the word whiskey comes from the Gaelic uisce beatha, meaning water of life. Today Irish Whiskey is one of the fastest growing spirit categories in the world.

What makes Irish Whiskey Irish? According to the regulations set forth in the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980:

• Irish whiskey must be distilled and aged on the island of Ireland
• The contained spirits must be distilled to an alcohol by volume level of less than 94.8% from a yeast-fermented mash of cereal grain in such a way that the distillate has an aroma and flavour derived from the materials used
• The product must be aged for at least three years in wooden casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres
• If the spirits comprise a blend of two or more such distillates, the product is referred to as a “blended” Irish whiskey

Come talk Irish Whiskey with Whiskey expert and educator Aine O’Conner along with Tullamore Dew Brand Ambassador, Niall O’ Connor. Stop in any time from 6-9pm.

(Source: Wikipedia, Tastings.com)