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Getting in the ‘Spirit’ For St. Patrick’s Day - Awildan Distilling Releases Irish-Style Moonshine
Come by Awildan Distilling on Saturday, March 11th starting at noon to celebrate its newest spirit, Poitín. The event will include a commemorative beer release from Karben4 Brewing (12-4pm), live Irish Music from Madison’s own Slipjig (2-4pm), and food from Paddy’s Patties food truck (12-9pm).
Translated from Gaelic, poitín (puh-cheen) means “little pot” and is a reference to the small, illicit pot stills used to distill moonshine in rural Ireland. These farm distilleries used crops like barley to produce a clear, fiery spirit. It’s a tradition that goes all the way back to the 6th century in Ireland. Inspired by historical distilling practices, Awildan’s Head Distiller Jeff Olson set out to create his own version. The base for Awildan's Poitín is fermented from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, drawing on another Irish tradition. Due to an English imposed tax on malted barley in 1785, Irish distillers substituted unmalted barley into their recipes. This created a new style of whiskey, now defined as Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey.
After fermentation, Awildan’s Poitín was triple distilled in its traditional copper pot still. Some of the spirit is going to age for the next few years in ex-bourbon casks, but in the meantime, this flavorful white whiskey is available to enjoy for its own sake
The use of unmalted barley adds a hint of spiciness and citus not found in spirits utilizing malted barley exclusively. Look for the Poitín to have an earthy, grainy flavor with layers of butterscotch and caramel, and some subtle fruitiness from esters produced during fermentation.
As a specially brewed companion to the Poitín, Karben4 Brewing will be on-site to release Awildan Pub Ale; the newest collaboration beer brewed with Awildan Distilling. The Pub Ale is 4.6% ABV, with malty, dry roasty flavors and a slight fruitiness from esters produced during fermentation.
Awildan’s Poitín is limited to 100 hand labeled and numbered 375ml bottles, and is exclusively available for purchase at the distillery. The Poitín is 50% alc. by vol. and $25 a bottle. Although not necessary for purchase, bottles may be reserved at https://awildan.com/product/poitin-reservation/ then paid for and picked up at the distillery.
Learn more at awildan.com
Event Links
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