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Irish Whiskey: Past, Present, and Future
The Past
Let us take you back on a journey that began more than 1,000 years ago …
It’s the 12th Century in Ireland, and continental spirit savants in the form of medieval monks have brought European distillation techniques and ideas to the land. In the name of medicine, these travelling brethren have been trying to perfect their efforts and have discovered, thanks to the local moonshine efforts long predating their arrival, that fermented grain mash is an excellent, though wildly different, substitute for the aged wine more familiar in European cultures.
They crack open the first barrel of their new spirit, take a tentative sip, and up goes the cry “Aqua Vitae! Uisce Beatha! The water of life!” Now, this isn’t whiskey as we know it today, but it is much closer than the previous incarnations would have been.
Since then, it’s been a wild ride for Irish Whiskey. From the founding of the oldest licensed distilleries in the world, through the trials of taxations on distilling practices and historical events which nearly decimated production, to the official European Geographical Indication (GI) given to Irish Whiskey in 2014, and the tourism boom it now brings in.
The Present
Despite its turbulent history, today Irish whiskey has made a strong comeback, and brands like Redbreast, Bushmills, and Jameson continue to dominate in the global market.
Emerging distilleries are also feeling the positive effects of this whiskey renaissance with names like J.J. Corry, Teeling, Dingle, Tullamore Dew making waves with consumers.
The Future
The future of Irish Whiskey is an exciting one with distilleries trying ever new ways to innovate their products, while maintaining the historic traditions which have made their outputs so beloved by customers worldwide.
Barrel finishes are one way in which the industry is branching out with distilleries using combination casks, new spirit casks and more.
Another exciting development in the Irish Whiskey landscape in particular, is the increasing presence of women in the industry. Women like Caroline Martin, the master blender at Teeling Whiskey, Jane Maher, co-founder of Blackwater Distillery, Louise McGuane, Founder of J.J. Corry Distillery, are breaking new ground in an industry that has historically been male dominated.
Their innovative techniques and focus on creating complex, yet accessible expressions are setting new standards for the future of Irish whiskey.
Another rising star is Jane Maher, the co-founder of Blackwater Distillery, whose passion for craft distilling has led to the creation of unique, small-batch whiskeys that are making waves.
Her work in elevating the craft of distillation has inspired many others to follow suit, ensuring that Irish whiskey remains at the forefront of global spirits.
These, and many other fresh perspectives will shape the future of the spirit, bringing innovative techniques that will resonate with a new generation of whiskey drinkers.
Celebrate St Patrick, and Irish Whiskey, shop Irish Whiskey now.
