Irelands history of whiskey distilling is long and rich of ups and downs. The origins of whisky irish whiskey was, in fact, only spelt with an e much later in the british isles are. About christopher christopher klein is an author and freelance writer. In their dublin home, the tours end with a selection of whiskey cocktails, while in cork you get the full package of singers, dancers and late night craic they make a wicked irish coffee in the malt house there. Its as if whiskey were the lifeblood of the people.
The whiskeys of ireland describes the history and background of irish whiskey, the irish whiskey industry, and the important people associated with irish whiskey. If youre looking to become a connoisseur, this is the book you want. Journal of presbyterian history leyburn has produced the best synthesis of what is known of the scotchirish in their two centuries as an identifiably distinct people. Whiskey history is a long, adventurous story, and many brave people fought to keep the drink flowing along the way. This very short book is jampacked with information about all facets of bourbon production, from early farm distilling to nineteenth century commercial distilleries to the craft distillery movement, and everything inbetween.
In the irish annals of clonmacnoise in 1405, the first written record of whisky. With the number of distilleries across the country hitting a 120year high in 2019 and sales expected to grow to 14 million cases this year. Oct 10, 2019 whiskeya liquor whose origins in medieval scotland or ireland remain murkyonce was an uncommon, exotic liquor in the colonies, where rum, gin and brandy were the strong drinks of choice. Irish cask presents a unique opportunity to own your own piece of irish history. Irish whiskey is whiskey made on the island of ireland. The untold story of how women saved bourbon, scotch and irish history, by fred minnock. Follow the history of distillation from 100ad to the present day and give. As of 29 january 2016, production, labelling and marketing of irish whiskey must be verified by the irish revenue authorities as conforming with the department of agricultures 2014 technical file for irish whiskey. The history of irish whiskey there is a strong connection between the history of distilling in ireland and the history of the island itself.
O ur storytellers talk through over 2000 years of irish whiskey history on our fully guided tours and lea d. A lot has happened since then, but this book has some good historical information. Everything you always wanted to know about irish whiskey, the lifeblood of the people. Mar 05, 2016 michael veachs first book is the seminal work on kentucky bourbon heritage and american whiskey in general. Here at the whiskey cellar, we strive to celebrate the finest irish whiskeys. The oxford history of the irish book, volume iv james h. The commonwealth with the british crown colonies and the independent united states were the preferred markets for whisky, with america being even more important since only the small, ruling upper class of the colonies could afford whisky. Stitzel distillery becomes significant in bourbon whiskeys history. The oxford history of the irish book is a major new series that charts one of the most venerable book cultures in europe, from the earliest manuscript compilations to the flourishing book industries of the late twentieth century. Undoubtedly, irish monks travelled and studied all over europe in the medieval period. It is well known that jameson is recognised as the number one irish whiskey in the world at the moment, and one of the top three in the whiskey industry across the globe. Monasteries were not only religious centers but places of learning and study, as well as healing centers and hospitals of that time. Tax laws were later relaxed and by 1830 this number of legal irish distilleries had risen to 90.
Market forecasts predict that number will grow to more than 10 million cases a year by 2019. A global history explains what whiskey is, how it is made, and how the types of whiskey differ. It was in ledgers, and books, and documents, underneath peoples. A comprehensive tasting school in ten lessons was written by robin robinson and is to be published in october 2019 by. The famed carry nation almost six feet tall and around 175 pounds was a member of the womens christian temperance union, and her antics were recorded by oscar getz in his book, whiskeyan american pictorial history. No tale of prohibition would be complete without a few words on this colorful woman. A story of irish whiskey there is a rich history behind some of the leading names in irish whiskey, according to irish distillers archivist carol quinn. Containing the authors tasting notes, this book on irish whiskey covers. Jamseson is a byword for great irish whiskey and the same is to be said of their distillery tours. Independent of all whiskey distilleries, there are over 100 different types of irish whiskey in the building. Fred minnick has dug deep and come up with gold on the tremendous contribution women have made at each step in the history and evolution of this muchstoried beverage.
Think weve missed an essential reference book or guide. What drove an irish american army to attack canada five times after the end of the civil war. How did this band of revolutionaries change history forever. Click through the follow pages to discover our pick of the top 10 whisky education books.
The midleton distillery now produces much of the irish whiskey sold in ireland under the jameson, midleton, powers, redbreast, spot and paddy labels. In 1976, the dublin whiskey distilleries of jameson in bow street and in johns lane were closed following the opening of a new midleton distillery by irish distillers outside cork. Apr 30, 2014 the main difference is that irish whiskey is typically distilled three times, whereas scotch whisky is in most cases only distilled twice. Until recent times all of irelands great whiskey brands were made at one of the countrys three active distilleries between 1966 and 1987 it was just two. O ur storytellers talk through over 2000 years of irish whiskey history on our fully guided tours and lea d interactive tastin gs of a wide variety of irish whiskeys. It is believed that irish monks brought the technique of distilling perfumes back from their travels to the mediterranean countries about a. About the history of whiskey atlanta bourbon company. Mar 18, 2011 a guide to the lingo and history of whiskey. It is a fascinating read, just right for relaxing and perusing with a glencairn whisky glass in hand or within reach. The main difference is that irish whiskey is typically distilled three times, whereas scotch whisky is in most cases only distilled twice. Ireland exported more than 7 million cases of whiskey in 2015, an increase of one million on the previous year.
Irish whiskey was taking its place as the most popular whiskey in the world, and, in the mid18th century when a tiny insect infested and destroyed nearly all the wine grape vines in france, irish whiskey became the worlds most popular spirit. Irish whiskey is a protected european geographical indication gi under regulation ec no 1102008. Our gifts are individually handmade from solid oak whiskey barrels from the worlds oldest distillery, they are inspired by the heritage and landscape of the island, and are fashioned in the finest tradition of irish craftsmanship. The known history of whiskey changes with whiskey women. Top 10 whisky education books the spirits business. A year tradition, which is no longer in print but still available. In addition to that, while many scotch whiskies are heavily peated and known for their smoky, earthy flavors, irish whiskey is typically unpeated and therefore quite smooth and succulent on the finish. Cut to today, the irish whiskey industry is on the up. A world economy in the narrow sense was not yet really existent at the turn of the century. Describes current working distilleries and their brands and the story of each. It is also gaining global recognition, with an irish whiskey winning the highly coveted accolade of the worlds best single malt last year. Uncovering the turbulent history of irish whiskey this st. Follow the history of distillation from 100ad to the present day and give yourself. Mar, 2020 cut to today, the irish whiskey industry is on the up.
While the exact origins of irish whiskey are not known, ancient manuscripts reveal irish monks practiced the art of distillation during the 6th century. Nov 20, 2014 whiskey history is a long, adventurous story, and many brave people fought to keep the drink flowing along the way. Fred minnick signs copies of his book, whiskey women, after speaking about the history of women and whiskey. Whether youre a scotch connoisseur, bourbon fanatic or irish whiskey novice, theres a plethora of books out there designed to enlighten and enthral. Irish whiskey museum guided tours and whiskey tastings in. A comprehensive tasting school in ten lessons was written by robin robinson and is to be published in october 2019 by sterling epicure, new york.
Soundly conceived and written with insight and verve, the book dispels some common misconceptions of the scotchirish. Its possibly the most important whiskey book published in the. When whiskey was the backbone of the us economy history. Bbc travel a guide to the lingo and history of whiskey. Irish distillers was bought by the french distillers pernod ricard in 1988, and since then the popularity of irish whiskey has soared. In the 19th century, most of the world spelled whisky without an e. Uisce beatha is the name for whiskey in irish gaelic. A fitting occasion to explore the links between irelands patron saint and the irish whiskey industry and in particular the hill of slane which figures prominently. With a list of suggested brands and classic cocktail recipes for the thirsty reader, this book is perfect for drink and food enthusiasts and history lovers alike. Whiskeya liquor whose origins in medieval scotland or ireland remain murkyonce was an uncommon, exotic liquor in the colonies, where rum, gin. In the early days, the monasteries where the monks resided were at the centre of life and industry in ireland.
Fittingly, some exact dates were forgotten whiskey was involved, after all, but this timeline will help you grasp the basics and understand its origin. Was this some whiskeyfueled daydream or a serious military operation. It was originally published in 1980 and most recently reprinted in 1998. The irish whiskey museum is the home of everything irish whiskey. The whiskeys of ireland by peter mulryan the obrien press. Popular irish history books showing 150 of 2,409 michael collins. The history of jameson whiskey is truly an interesting tale. Later, irish distillers began to spell whiskey with an e in order to differentiate their whiskey from scotch. The history, the difference between single malts and blends, the art of. Jan 28, 2020 in addition to teaching readers how to nose and taste whiskey, the book contains information on the history of the spirit, why different regions use varying techniques, and some basic info on the science and process behind how its made. Stitzel distillery becomes significant in bourbon whiskey s history.
A history of distilling, the spirit trade, and excise controls in ireland book. Michael veachs first book is the seminal work on kentucky bourbon heritage and american whiskey in general. Because many of them were unlicensed, the illicit distilleries forced the government to raise taxes on whiskey production. The whiskey produced in historical times would not have been aged, and was often. May 17, 2018 later, irish distillers began to spell whiskey with an e in order to differentiate their whiskey from scotch. The untold story of how women saved bourbon, scotch, and irish whiskey hardcover. This beautifully produced book, with fullcolour photographs throughout, will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about irish whiskey. Northern ireland history, irish history, books barnes. A tripledistilled whiskey made from single pot still and grain whiskeys, it was both different from scotch blends and quintessentially irish. Oct 05, 2012 in the 18th and 19th centuries, irish whiskey was incredibly popular in britain, with 1,200 distilleries existing in ireland in 1779. Jameson blended irish whiskey became the flagship brand that the entirety of the irish whiskey industry could now get behind.
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