Despite the fact that we primarily concentrate on Scotch whisky right here at Nice Drams, don’t let that idiot you into pondering we’ve no place for Irish whiskey right here, as a result of that’s positively not the case.
Irish whiskey can style phenomenal and provides a variety of various flavour profiles that you just simply don’t get with different whiskies. Certainly one of Irish whiskey’s trademark traits, nevertheless, is its smoothness, which comes from the distillation course of.
Most, not all, however most Irish whiskies are triple distilled. In actual fact, some Scotch whiskies additionally endure triple distillation, particularly these from the Lowlands area. The method produces a smoother, well-rounded, much less advanced spirit that lends itself fantastically to most palates.
As we speak, I’m going to speak you thru this course of and supply a short, but informative take a look at triple-distilled whiskey. That is the Nice Drams information to triple-distilled whiskey.
What’s Distillation?
So as to perceive triple distillation, we first want to know distillation on the whole.
Protecting issues very temporary as I’ll be overlaying the ins and outs of whisky manufacturing one other time, distillation is a means of heating after which condensing alcohol to provide all the pieces that’s nice about whiskey, whereas eradicating all the pieces that’s unhealthy, whereas additionally producing a stronger ABV.
In whiskey manufacturing, the liquid mash is heated in a nonetheless vessel, simply earlier than it boils. This causes alcohol and different compounds within the liquid to rise and vaporise, passing over the neck of the nonetheless right into a condenser, cooled with water, or a worm, which is a coiled copper pipe lined in chilly operating water.
Right here the vapours are cooled and condensed right into a liquid, which is able to finally change into whiskey.
Irish Whiskey and Triple Distillation
Those that are aware of our beloved whisky/whiskey will little question see the phrases ‘triple distilled’ and robotically consider Irish whiskey. There’s an excellent motive for that.
A substantial amount of Irish whiskies, Redbreast, Powers, and Bushmills for instance, are usually triple distilled. However why? Properly, there are literally just a few causes, although tax evasion is probably the most distinguished instance.
Triple distillation is believed to have originated within the late 18th century because of a brand new tax being positioned upon malted barley round 1785. As a result of malted barley was now far more costly, whiskey distillers would use unmalted barley as a substitute. The issue is that the uncooked grains wouldn’t yield as a lot alcohol, and you may’t have that!
To get round this difficulty, relatively than distilling the grains twice, distillers would add a 3rd distillation to get extra alcohol from the mash. This type turned referred to as single pot nonetheless and resulted in a whiskey as robust as Scotch, however with fewer harsh notes.
Triple distillation offered a smoother, softer, well-rounded whiskey that was a lot simpler to drink than different whiskies wealthy in peat smoke and with excessive alcohol contents. As a substitute of the tough alcohol and smoke notes, you could possibly style extra of the totally different flavours within the whiskey.
By regulation, Irish whiskey does NOT must be triple distilled. In actual fact, there are a good few Irish whiskies that solely endure two ranges of distillation. The vast majority of standard single pot nonetheless Irish whiskies, although, are triple distilled.
What’s Triple Distillation?
When producing whiskey/whisky, each Scotch and Irish whiskey are produced by a course of referred to as ‘batch distillation’, versus steady distillation.
With batch distillation, massive copper bulbous-shaped vessels referred to as ‘pot stills’ are used. In whisky manufacturing, you’ll discover that copper is used an incredible deal. It is because copper not solely conducts warmth effectively, however it additionally reacts with alcohol through the distillation course of to get rid of harsh compounds and convey out extra nice compounds referred to as esters. These give the whiskey its fruity and floral notes. The longer the whiskey is involved with the copper, the extra esters will probably be produced, and the less harsh compounds there will probably be.
In most Scotch whisky manufacturing, distillation will first happen in a bigger wash-still. This often offers an ABV of round 21% – 30% ABV. The liquid is then transferred right into a smaller spirits-still, the place it’s concentrated additional to offer ABV readings of as a lot as 70% ABV.
With Irish whiskey manufacturing, a 3rd distillation course of is added. Right here, between the wash-still and spirits nonetheless, the liquid will probably be distilled in what is named a feint nonetheless. The concept right here is that the primary distillation extracts extra alcohol and vapours from the liquid, whereas the third helps bump up the ABV and provides extra esters to carry out extra fruity, floral, and fragrant flavours.
So, what does the second feint nonetheless within the center do? Properly, it primarily does a bit little bit of each. It brings out extra fruity flavours, concentrates them, and offers the whiskey extra roundness and smoothness, with a fuller physique.
Triple distillation primarily offers a lighter, smoother, purer, extra rounded whiskey with fewer harsh alcohol notes and extra concentrated flavours as a substitute.
For those who’d prefer to study extra about your favorite whiskies, or deal with your self to a wee dram or two over the festive interval, head on over to GreatDrams.com and check out what now we have to supply.
With a powerful collection of limited-edition, uncommon, and award-winning whisky, in addition to heaps of whisky information on our weblog, it’s the right spot for any whisky lovers on the market.
