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Irish Whiskey

Quick Spirits: Irish Whiskey | Bartender Atlas

What is Irish Whiskey?
Irish Whiskey is a grain spirit distilled and aged on the island of Ireland
Must be aged 3 years in wood (usually oak) vessels that are less than 700 litres in size
Must be distilled to less than 94.8% abv
Only water and caramel colouring can be added to the matured spirit
Minimum bottling strength must be at least 40% abv

There are four types of Irish Whiskey:

  • Pot Still Irish Whiskey (made from malted barley, unmalted barley and other cereals. Distilled in pot stills 2 or 3 times)
  • Single Malt Irish Whiskey (made from 100 percent malted barley. Distilled in pot stills 2 or 3 times)
  • Grain Irish Whiskey (made from unmalted grains and malted barley. Distilled in a column still)
  • Blended Irish Whiskey (a blend of two or more whiskey types)

What about The Busker Irish Whiskey?
Here’s something cool, at Royal Oak Distillery, where The Busker is made, they make 3 kinds of Irish Whiskey: Pot Still, Single Malt and Grain Irish Whiskies and if you are going to make those three, why not a blend as well?

The Busker Grain Whiskey is made by selecting specific grains and mashing and distilling them to the highest standards and then the whiskey is left to mature in Bourbon and Marsala casks, which leaves you with notes of hay, vanilla and oak.

The Busker Single Malt is made in copper pot stills which brings out a fruity note in this whiskey. The texture is rich and smooth after it has matured in Bourbon and Sherry casks. There is even a touch of chocolate cookie on the finish.

The Busker Single Pot Still whiskey is made in the traditional way, using barley to bring out floral and honey notes, Those floral and honey notes transform on the palate to baking spice and toffee impression. This too is matured in Bourbon and Sherry casks and those notes show up as well.

The Busker Triple Cask borrows a little from each of its components listed above. That combination lends a tropical fruit nose with some subtle cinnamon on the finish. This whiskey gets to spend some time in bourbon, sherry and marsala casks. This is the one you want to experiment with. Go ahead and pour something ginger forward or even grapefruit with this one.


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