Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

Say Hello to Poitín: Irish Moonshine (and One of the Strongest Drinks on the Planet!)

By

connacht whiskey co poitin mullarkey s bar straw boys
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Ah, moonshine. The name evokes images of the backwoods, of whiskey runners dodging the government, of stills patched together, and mason jars of clear liquid passed around for the enjoyment of all. Maybe even, for the hardcore, going blind from the stuff.

Here in the US, we’ve had a moonshine moment. In 2015, according to the Distilled Spirits Council, white/corn whiskey sold 2.2 million 9-liter cases, making it the second largest group, behind bourbon/Tennessee whiskey (which had 17.4 million of the 20.4 million cases sold).

Recommended Videos

It might not be a surprise, but we weren’t the first ones to be making moonshine. The fellows who first started making whiskey in the hinterlands of Appalachia and elsewhere had to come from somewhere, and that somewhere happened to be Ireland (and Scotland, but we’re focusing on Ireland here). For centuries, the Irish have been making their own moonshine, which they call poitín.

Straw-Boys-Poitin
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The word poitín comes from the diminutive word for pot, as the liquid was (and still is) made in a little copper pot still. Pronounced by various people as po-teen, po-cheen, or pu-cheen, poitín has been made in the bog lands and backwoods of Ireland for centuries (though not legally until 1997) and passed around in just about the exact same way that people today share true moonshine.

(Funny how drinking traditions can be the same, regardless of place and time, isn’t it?)

Made primarily from barley or potatoes, the proof ranges widely—from as low as 40% ABV all the way up to 90 or 95% ABV.

You read that right. Ninety-five percent alcohol by volume. The high end possibility here is what makes it capable of being the strongest drink on the planet. It’s easy to see why, for centuries, it was illegal to produce (what with the literally having the ability to make you sick and all).

Now, though, the times they are a-changing and, slowly, Irish whiskey companies have been putting out their own poitíns. Most aren’t for sale in the US, but Connacht Whiskey Company, based two and a half hours west of Dublin in Ballina, has begun to import their Straw Boys Poitín. Made from malted barley in the traditional small copper pot still, Straw Boys Poitín is nowhere near the strength of the stuff you’d find wandering the bogs of Ireland (it comes in at 45% ABV), but hey, if you’re going to start drinking a new spirit, it’s probably for the best to start on the easier stuff. At the very least, you’ll get to actually taste it, instead of becoming violently ill by downing something made almost completely from alcohol.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked is finally available nationwide
For the first time Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked is available nationwide
Woodford Reserve

There aren’t many Kentucky distilleries more beloved than Woodford Reserve. From its classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon to its limited releases, it’s the type of distillery that seems to produce nothing but notable expressions. One of its most sought-after limited-release whiskey is Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Bourbon.

First released as a member of the Distillery Series in 2015, this beloved whiskey has been hard to find and highly coveted for years. It was never available nationwide—that is, until now.
Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked
Screenshot Woodford Reserve

Read more
A foodie’s guide to Providence, an old city with new flavors
The best eats in The Renaissance City
Providence, RI

When you think of Providence, Rhode Island, you might picture higher education or history that dates back to the 17th century. But the largest city in Rhode Island is increasingly known for its culinary culture. And at this rate, the town may soon have some contenders for the best restaurants in America credentials.

Providence is home to about 200,000 people, a size just big enough for some serious culinary talent. Couple that with the fact that Americans are continuing to seek out smaller cities to work remotely and experience some of that stereotypical charm, and you have a place cooking up some noteworthy dishes.

Read more
Beat the cold with the Jura Winter Warmer cocktail
Scotch, honey, apple juice, and spices make for an irresitable combination
Jura Winter Warmer

When the cold winter nights arrive, there's nothing like a warm cocktail to add a feeling of cozy snugness to your evening. Traditional favorites like the Hot Toddy combine whiskey with honey and lemon juice, plus hot water to make a whiskey tea-like drink that's soothing and indulgent.

You can try out all sorts of warm cocktails beyond the toddy though, like this recipe from Jura whisky. It uses 12 year old aged Scotch plus the usual suspects of honey and lemon juice, but it also takes cues from warm ciders with its use of cloudy apple juice, and a nod to mulled wine with spices like cinnamon, star anise, and clove.

Read more