What is Poitín?
Poitín, pronounced puh-cheen, and derived from, ‘little pot’ (referring to the pot still distillation technique), is an unaged spirit from Ireland, usually made from potatoes or barley… and its history is fascinating.
The history of Poitín
Known as Irish Moonshine, Poitín is the precursor to whiskey, being used as currency, medicine and of course, as a spirit since at least the 6th century. It’s hugely varied, but has always been a farm spirit, made in a single pot still using whatever starch is around the person making it. That now has to be potato, cereals, grain, whey, sugar beet or molasses, but historically it’s been milk and even bark!
It was outlawed in 1661 after a Irish spirits tax, and not overturned until, staggeringly, 1987, so it was completely unregulated and therefore massively versatile for centuries. It’s a huge part of Irish identity and history, and these days Poitín is brewed all over Ireland, as we found out when we went there for The Three Drinkers in Ireland.
Mixologists and adventurous drinkers are beginning to experiment with Poitín as it pops up on more and more bar menus, but there are still misconceptions and unknowns about it, especially outside of Ireland. Some people still think it’s illegal, some people think it’s only made from potatoes, and perhaps most damaging of all, it is seen by some as being poorly distilled. Of course, in the past, being illegal and made in many cases by amateurs, this was often the case. Nowadays though, it is going the way of mezcal, being expertly made and experiencing a resurgence, and all whilst celebrating its deep historical roots.
Which Poitín should I try?
Micil Irish Poitín
This takes is a complex Poitín with a herbal feel, as the botanicals are pot distilled – bog myrtyle, hawberry, heather and locally-picked Connemara bogbean are all included for intriguing kicks of florality and spice.
Size: 500ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £33.94
Killowen Poitin
A far cry from a farmyard botch job, this recipe has been refined for generations using malted grain smoked on site by local turf fires in the handmade kiln of the Mourne family, and blended with unmalted too. It’s earthy, fresh and hits with aniseed, clove, and cinnamon spice. Tonnes of depth without wood maturation.
Size: 500ml
ABV: 48%
Find here: £33.99
Teeling Spirit of Dublin Poitin
A 50/50 split of unmalted and malted barley, this picked up Gold at the Irish Whiskey Masters two years running. The baking notes are sweet, and one sip coats the mouth with a wonderful creamy texture.
Size: 500ml
ABV: 52.5%
Find here: £34.95
Mad March Hare Poitin
Using locally grown barley, Mad March Hare uses a historical recipe, bringing through lemon and lime to show off the diverse range of the spirit. Smooth and malty, this is a curious try indeed.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.25
Ban Poitin
Forget ‘Ban Poy-tin’, this is pronounced ‘Bawn Putch-een’. Potatoes, malted barley, and sugar beet go into this traditional spirit with a moreish oily texture, and buckets of sweet spice. The subtle mocha notes are a nice touch too.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 48%
Find here: £41.50
Ballykeefe Poitín
Hailing from County Kilkenny, this eco-friendly Poitín innovatively reuses the heat from its cooling systems across its visitor centre and farm. Most importantly though, it tastes great, with an earthy quality, as well as clean smoothness.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £44.95
If you’re always up for exploring drinks you might have heard about but never tried, check out our other guides, like Mead and Pisco.