Poitín
potatoes, sugar) | |
Related products | potato vodka, Irish whiskey |
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Poitín (Irish pronunciation:
Legal status
At the parliament at Drogheda in 1556, a requirement for a licence to distill spirits was introduced.[6][7]
Today in Ireland there are a number of commercially produced spirits labelled as poitín, poteen or potcheen. In 2008, Irish poitín was accorded (GI) Geographical Indicative Status by the EU Council and Parliament.[8]
In 2015, in consultation with producers and stakeholders, the Irish Government adopted the Geographical Indication technical file for poitín, outlining the production methods that must be used in order for a spirit to be called Irish Poitín. Topics covered included allowable base materials, distillation method, use of flavourings/infusions and limited storage in casks.[5]
However, the notion of "legal poitín" has been viewed as an oxymoron by some, one writer observing, "If you see a product labelled 'poteen' in an airport or a bar, it's simply a white duty-paid Irish schnapps. By definition, poteen is illegal and can't be sold."[9]
Poitín was also produced in the growing Irish diaspora in the 19th century, particularly in any of the New York City neighbourhoods dubbed "Irishtown".[10]
Production
Poitín was generally produced in remote rural areas, away from the interference of the law. A mash was created and fermented before the distillation began. Stills were often set up on land boundaries so the issue of ownership could be disputed. Before the introduction of bottled gas, the fire to heat the wash was provided by turf. Smoke was a giveaway for the police, so windy, broken weather was chosen to disperse the smoke. The still was heated and attended to for several days to allow the runs to go through.
The old style of poitín distilling was from a
Because poitín was covertly home-distilled for centuries, there is no formal recipe for it.[12]
In more recent times, some distillers deviated from using malted barley as a base of the mash bill due to the cost and availability instead switching to using treacle, corn and potatoes. It is believed this switch led to the deteriorating quality and character of poitín in the late 20th century.[13][unreliable source?]
The quality of poitín was highly variable, depending on the skill of the distiller and the quality of their equipment. Reputations were built on the quality of the distiller's poitín, and many families became known for their distilling expertise, where a bad batch could put a distiller out of business overnight.[13][14] It has been claimed that the drink can cause blindness,[15] but this is more likely due to methanol adulteration than to lack of quality.[16]
Literature, film and traditional music
This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2020) |
Poitín is a
Some
The 1959 film Darby O'Gill and the Little People features Darby splitting a jog of poitín with the King of the leprechauns as the two engage in a drinking game.
Poitín was the titular subject matter of the 1978 film
See also
- Irish whiskey
- Moonshine
- Pure pot still whiskey
References
- ^ "Poteens / poitins". www.diffordsguide.com.
- ISBN 0-904651-36-3.
- ^ "Poteens / Poitins".
- ^ Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977). Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla. Dublin: Oifig na tSoláthair. p. 707.
- ^ a b "FILE SETTING OUT THE SPECIFICATIONS WITH WHICH IRISH POTEEN/IRISH POITÍN MUST COMPLY" (PDF). Food Industry Development Division. Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. February 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ Boyle, Judith (20 June 2023). "A short history of Irish Poitín". RTÉ Brainstorm. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ Patrick Given (August 2011). "Calico to Whiskey: A Case Study on the Development of the Distilling Industry in the Naas Revenue Collection District, 1700–1921" (PDF). Maynooth University. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ "Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council". Eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
- ISBN 9781405336246– via Google Books.
- ^ "Kings of the Moonshiners; Illicit Distillers Who Ruled in 'Irishtown'". The New York Times. 18 March 1894. p. 16.
- ^ In Praise of Poitín by John McGuffin
- ^ "A Lesson in Poitín, Ireland's Moonshine". Hook & Barrel Magazine. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ a b TG4 Documentary on Poitín Distilling
- ^ Irish Independent Saturday, 24 November 1984 Page: 6 "Two deaths from poitín – inquest told"
- ^ "Poitín may occupy 'a special place' but it is not safe". The Irish Times. 17 June 2004. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ "FYI: Can Drinking Moonshine Really Make Me Go Blind?". Australian Popular Science. Archived from the original on 1 December 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ Sinead Sturgeon. "The Politics of Poitín: Maria Edgeworth, William Carleton, and the Battle for the Spirit of Ireland". Irish Studies Review. 15 (1).
- ^ Frank Brennan at Laragh Gathering, July 2013
External links
- Detailed list of the types of Poteen
- What is Poitín? Archived 18 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine