How is Irish whiskey made?
Irish whiskey is distilled on the island of Ireland from a mash of malted cereals, with or without whole grains of other cereals. The mash is converted to sugars, fermented with yeast, distilled at under 94.8% ABV and matured at least three years in wooden casks, according to the official Irish Whiskey Technical File.
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In this article
What is Irish whiskey made from?
The official Technical File says it is distilled from a mash of malted cereals, with or without whole grains of other cereals. The ingredients are cereals, water and yeast. Only water and plain caramel colouring may be added to the distillate.
How is Irish whiskey produced, step by step?
- Brewing: cereals are milled and mixed with water; the mash is converted and a sugary liquid (wort) is prepared.
- Fermentation: yeast turns the sugars into alcohol. The fermented liquid is called wash.
- Distillation: in pot stills or column stills, at an alcoholic strength of less than 94.8% by volume. Triple distillation is described as the traditional practice.
- Maturation: at least three years in wooden casks, such as oak, of no more than 700 liters, on the island of Ireland.
Bottling may take place outside Ireland. The minimum bottled strength is 40% ABV.
What makes Irish whiskey Irish?
All four production stages must take place on the island of Ireland, which includes Northern Ireland. Casks may be new or previously used for drinks such as sherry, port or bourbon.
What are the types of Irish whiskey?
- Pot still: a mash with at least 30% malted barley and at least 30% unmalted barley, distilled in pot stills.
- Malt: made from malted barley.
- Grain: malted barley not exceeding 30%, plus whole unmalted cereals, distilled in column stills.
- Blended: a blend of two or more of the above types.
People also ask
What is Irish whiskey made from?
A mash of malted cereals, with or without whole grains of other cereals, plus water and yeast (Irish Whiskey Technical File).
How long is Irish whiskey aged?
At least three years in wooden casks, such as oak, not exceeding 700 liters, on the island of Ireland.
What makes Irish whiskey Irish?
It must be produced, distilled and matured on the island of Ireland, including Northern Ireland, following the Technical File.
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