The Water of Life: All you need to know about Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey is some of the best known around the world, but what's the difference between Single Malt and Single Pot?

Johnny Garmeson

Jun 24

4 mins

Jun 24

4 mins

Guinness tends to take a lot of the spotlight when people talk about Ireland’s favorite tipple around Saint Patrick’s day, however there is another alcohol that deserves equal mention. Uisce beatha, literally translated to ‘water of life’ in Irish - or Whiskey to you and me - is one of the country’s most beloved exports.

Invented around the 12th century in Europe, Whiskey was one of the first distilled drinks that ever existed, and comes in a variety of styles and flavours - from smooth rich and peaty, to grainy and fruity.

The History of Irish Whiskey

The exact origin of whiskey is widely debated. Irish whiskey is ancient - so old that no one really knows for sure when it was developed. However, there have been suggestions that it was the Irish monks who may have picked up the technique of distilling perfumes during their trips to the Mediterranean in the 11th century.

The production of Irish whiskey evolved into an industry in 1608. Northern Ireland’s Old Bushmills Distillery became the world’s first licensed whiskey distillery. Scotland soon caught up with the technique and now produces even more whiskey than the Irish. ‍

How Irish Whiskey is Made

Irish whiskey is distilled from a mass of malted cereals with or without whole grains. There are four types of Irish whiskeys, all of which are made in a single distillery and a copper pot still.

Single Malt Whiskey

Single Malt Whiskey uses malted barley and only malted barley. Malted barley is barley grain that has been soaked and begun to sprout. The flavor of single malt whiskey depends on what kind of barrels the whiskey is aged in. Its flavor can be spicy and peaty or it can be more delicate with floral and dried fruit taste.‍

Single Pot Whiskey

Single pot whiskey is made from a combination of malted barley, unmalted barley, and other cereal grains. Pot still whiskeys have the most intense flavor, featuring lots of spice. It can have an oily mouthfeel compared to other types of Irish whiskeys.‍‍

Single Grain Whiskeys

Single grain whiskey has a sweeter, lighter taste due to the blends that are used. It is made from malted barley, unmalted barley, corn, or wheat. ‍

Blended Irish Whiskey

Blended whiskey is made from at least two Irish whiskeys. It can be a blend of single pot, single grain, or single malt. Blended Irish whiskey tends to be lighter and is more approachable in flavor. ‍

Irish Whiskey vs Scotch Whisky

A difference between Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky that you might not immediately spot is actually in the spelling! Irish whiskey is spelled with an ‘e’ while Scotch isn't. However, the main difference between the two is its distillation process. Scotch whisky is distilled twice and Irish whiskey is distilled three times. The extra distillation gives the Irish whiskey a smoother and lighter finish. Scotch whiskey tends to have a stronger and fuller taste. Both Irish whiskey and Scotch whiskey age in oak casks. ‍

How to Enjoy Irish Whiskey

Drinking Irish whiskey neat is arguably the best way to enjoy the drink at its purest. Newcomers can turn to blends and single grain whiskeys for a softer and more neutral flavour. Alternatively, you can explore your own taste and enjoy the complementary notes of Irish whiskey through cocktails.‍

How Whiskey is Used in Cooking

Alcohol is often used in cooking to bring out the flavors of the dish. It bonds to the fat and water molecules, which carry out the aromas and flavor. The smoky notes of Whiskey pair beautifully with oily rich flavours particularly well.

On Rassa's Irish course, you can learn how to smoke fish using whiskey oak chips. These are made from broken-down whiskey barrels, which imparts a deep savoury smoke into the fatty flesh of the salmon.