What is Poitín

by Nicholas Ryan February 7, 2023

Poitín is a traditional Irish distilled spirit made from a variety of ingredients including potatoes, barley, sugar beets, or grains. It has a long history in Ireland, dating back to the 6th century, and was once a staple in rural areas where other forms of alcohol were not readily available. Poitín was made in small pot stills and was often consumed in its unaged form, giving it a raw and potent flavor.

The making of Poitín involves fermenting the chosen base ingredients and then distilling the fermented mixture to produce a high-proof spirit. The final product is typically bottled at around 40-90% alcohol by volume, making it much stronger than other spirits like whiskey or gin.

Some interesting facts about Poitín include:

It was illegal to produce or sell Poitín in Ireland from 1661 until 1997, making it a symbol of Irish resistance against British rule.
The production and sale of Poitín was once a highly secretive operation, with many families passing down the art of distillation from generation to generation.The traditional method of making Poitín involves the use of a small pot still, a technique that has largely been replaced by larger column stills in commercial production.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Poitín, with many new distilleries popping up and producing high-quality, aged versions of the spirit.
Poitín has a unique flavor profile that is often described as earthy, spicy, and sometimes medicinal, making it a popular choice for cocktails and sipping neat.

If you are interested in learning more about Poitín, I recommend enrolling in one of our upcoming courses. You can find all the information about our scheduled course dates on our website. Simply visit the site and look for the section on upcoming courses.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@spiritstraining.com. Our team will be more than happy to help you.

So, what are you waiting for? Enroll in one of our courses today and deepen your knowledge and understanding of Poitín!