Poitín or Poteen (IPA [ˈpˠotʲiːn], also potcheen) is a traditional Irish distilled, highly alcoholic beverage (60%-95% ABV)[1]. Poitín was traditionally distilled in a small pot still and the term is a diminutive[2] of the Irish word pota, meaning "pot". Traditionally distilled from malted barley grain or potatoes, it is among the strongest alcoholic beverages in the world, and for centuries was classified as illegal or moonshine in Ireland.[3]
Irish moonshine, along with all other private distillation not specifically licensed by the state, was outlawed in 1661[1]. On 7 March 1997, the Irish Revenue Commissioners withdrew their opposition to poitín being sold in Ireland, though legal production for export has been allowed since 1989. In 2008, Irish Poitín was accorded (GI) Geographical Indicative Status by the EU Council and Parliament, under EU Regulation 110/2008 ANNEX 111 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical designations for spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89.
Today, two Irish brands are officially licensed to produce poitín, Knockeen Hills, and Bunratty [3].
References in popular culture
- Many traditional Irish folk songs, such as "The Hills of Connemara" and "The Rare Old Mountain Dew," deal with the subject of poitín.
- Poitín is a potent literary trope in Irish poetry and prose of the nineteenth century. The Irish critic Sinéad Sturgeon has demonstrated how the contested legality of the substance became a crucial theme running through the works of Maria Edgeworth and William Carlton[4].
- The first feature film to be made entirely in Irish was called Poitín (1979). The story involves an illegal distiller, his two agents, and his daughter in Connemara, in the remote west of Ireland.
- Many characters in the work of contemporary Irish playwright Martin McDonagh consume or refer to poteen, most notably the brothers in "The Lonesome West".
- In the Saga of Darren Shan book "The Lake Of Souls" the character Spits Abrams brews his own poteen, he references Connemara saying that his grandfather comes from there.
- Poitín is mentioned in the song "Snake With Eyes Of Garnet" by Shane MacGowan & The Popes on their album The Snake
See also
References
- ^ a b McGuffin, John (1978). In Praise of Poteen. Belfast: Appletree Press. ISBN 0-9046-5136-3.
- ^ Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977). Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla. Dublin: Oifig na tSoláthair. p.707
- ^ a b Niafer, MacMorna. "Poteen - The Guid Ould Stuff". http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Article/785672. Retrieved on 12 March 2008.
- ^ Sinead Sturgeon "The Politics of Poitin: Maria Edgeworth, William Carleton, and the Battle for the Spirit of Ireland"
Irish Studies Review: volume 15, number 1.
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