FDBusiness.com

Independent Irish whiskey producer Cooley Distillery has launched a new range of Poitín products to showcase the traditional spirit of Ireland. Poitín is a clear Irish spirit famous for its alcohol strength. In homage to this ancient Irish spirit, Cooley Distillery has released an Origin series of Poitín products.

Poitín was traditionally distilled in a small pot still and the term is a derivative of the Irish word pota, meaning ‘pot’. Normally distilled from barley grain or potatoes, it is one of the strongest alcoholic beverages in the world and for centuries was classified as illegal in Ireland. Poitín is one of the most long-established spirits in the world with a rich and varied history and is exclusively associated with Ireland.

Jack Teeling, managing director of Cooley Distillery, comments: “Poitín is at the origin of Irish spirits and Irish whiskey in particular. Over the years it has been demonised because it was illegally produced and the end product lacked consistency, quality and credibility. We have produced a quality Poitín product using ancient techniques in our award winning distillery allowing consumers of today try this ancient Irish spirit with confidence as they are getting a high quality product.”

Cooleys’ first Poitín release is triple distilled in small copper pot stills from a traditional Irish pot still recipe of malted and unmalted barley. Bottled straight from the still with no maturation produces a surprisingly smooth spirit even for one that is bottled at 65% abv. Poitín like any quality white spirit lends itself to be consumed in a variety of ways, neat, with water, with mixers and as a component of cocktails but due to its alcohol strength it should be enjoyed in moderation.