Now that the days are getting shorter and temperatures are dropping like a stone outside, winter in Ireland is the ideal season to warm up with a glass or two of the warming alcoholic beverage that the country has long been renowned for – Irish whiskey.
Not to be mixed up in the mind with Scottish whisky, this version comes with an unmistakably, smooth taste and a rich golden colour that stimulates the eye as well as the taste buds.
A brief history of whiskey
Irish whiskey was one of the earliest drinks to be distilled in Europe and was made by monks during the 11th Century.
Whiskey cannot be formally named ‘Irish whiskey’ until it has spent at least three years maturing on the island of Ireland.
The word ‘whiskey’ literally means ‘water of life’ as derived from the Gaelic ‘uisce beatha’. Irish whiskey can be served straight (as it comes) or on the rocks (with ice).
Whiskey is also a versatile base for many hot and cold cocktails and mixed drinks, including Irish coffee (hot coffee and whiskey served with sugar, cinnamon and a cream topping); Old Fashioned (whiskey, sugar and bitters served with ice and an orange garnish); Whiskey Sour (whiskey, sugar syrup, lemon juice and egg white) and a Hot Toddy (warm whiskey, honey and lemon), said to help soothe a sore throat.
Unlike Scottish whisky (note the difference in spelling), the Irish version uses a mix of malted and unmalted barley to produce a more neutral, smoother taste (Scottish whisky just contains malted barley).
There are four main types of Irish whiskey, which are blended, single grain, single malt and single pot still (where heat is directly applied in the form of steam to the pot, or still, in which the whiskey is being distilled).
At Roundwood House, guests can enjoy locally distilled whiskey as part of their evening meal, or have a glass at one of the many pubs or bars located nearby.
Tullamore Irish whiskey distillery
For visitors to Ireland who are keen to learn more about the nation’s signature drink, there are several whiskey distilleries around the country that offer free tastings, opportunities to be guided round the site by experts and then purchase bottles of whiskey to take home that have been crafted on site.
One such attraction is Tullamore Irish Whiskey Distillery.
Located in Tullamore in County Offaly, it is a straightforward, half-hour drive away from Roundwood House via the N80 (please drink responsibly and make alternative arrangements to travel to and from the distillery if you plan to sample the whiskey while you are there).
Tullamore Irish Whiskey Distillery runs guided tours with a visitor centre open all year round except around the main Christmas period (closed 18 December until 2 January) Visitors can taste whiskey straight from the cask, sample premium blends and create their own unique concoction to bottle and take home.
A well-stocked shop provides a wide range of Christmas gift ideas, as well as supplies for festive parties and after-dinner drinks. You can even enjoy an Irish coffee on site or raise a whiskey-based cocktail to toast a great day out. More details available online: https://www.tullamoredew.com/en-gb/visit-tullamore-dew/.
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