There are now several flavors as manufacturers try to make the drink as accessible as possible, and it is sometimes used in cocktails in trendy bars. Many legal poitíns are now about 40% proof, although some are still up to 90%. Poitine was once the most popular alcoholic beverage in Ireland, but its production was banned in 1661. This ban was lifted in 1997, and there are now a number of Poitin trademarks. Poitin is making a comeback in Ireland and is becoming increasingly popular as an ingredient in cocktails. Mad March Hare Irish Poitin is an alcoholic beverage distilled from malted barley. It is made in Ireland and has a high alcohol content. It is usually consumed pure or in cocktails. Poteen is a traditional Irish moonlight with an alcohol content of 60% to 90%. It is made by distilling potatoes or other vegetables. Poteen is illegal in Ireland, but it is still produced in rural areas. However, the term “legal poitín” has been considered by some to be an oxymoron, one author noted: “If you see a product labeled `Poten` in an airport or bar, it`s simply white, acquitted Irish liquor.
By definition, poteen is illegal and cannot be sold. [8] “The ban was lifted thanks to intense lobbying by some forward-thinking individuals and powerful conglomerates who wanted to revive the category,” Griallais said. Much of this hard work should be attributed to the owner of Bunratty Potcheen. Diageo was also involved in legalization to launch a brand called Hackler, which was later dropped. The legal version of the drink has become popular in Ireland, with many drinkers proud that it is part of Irish culture. Many others are curious to know how it tastes. Interest in Poitín has increased since it became legal. It is now served in pubs and out of license and produced by several companies. It has even found its way into supermarkets, where retail giant Tesco sells a Poitín de Coomara Irish Spirits.
Few drinkers admit to letting even a trickle of this hard material through. But perhaps some of the glassy eyes on Boxing Day weren`t all due to legal alcohol. While you can now buy Poitín legally, there are still people who produce it illegally. In 2013, authorities discovered a large illegal distillery in Cavan County. Yes, Poitín is illegal in the UK. It is classified as an unlicensed spirit and therefore cannot be sold in pubs or without a license. There are a number of companies that produce Poitín, but it can only be purchased from specialized retailers. No, Poitín is not legal in the United States. Poitín is a type of moonshine or homemade alcohol that is produced illegally. In the United States, alcohol production is regulated by the federal government and Poitín does not meet the requirements of legal production. In addition, Poitín is not sold in authorized stores or establishments, so it cannot be purchased legally in the United States.
Poitin (also called “Pocheen” or “Poteen”) is essentially Irish moonlight deeply rooted in the history and traditions of the island. The humble beginnings of the spirit can be traced back to sixth-century Christian monks who are said to have brought the art of distillation from the Middle East and created the powerful brew. It is prevalent throughout Irish culture, from songs like “The Rare Old Mountain Dew” and traditional oral histories passed down from generation to generation. Although the ban was lifted, it took another 20 years for distilleries to truly adopt this forgotten spirit. Modern consumers, curious to try something so closely connected in Irish history, have triggered a resurgence. High-end artisanal poitines like Mad March Hare, Teeling`s Spirit of Dublin, Bán Poitin, Glendalough and Micil attempt to break the stigmas associated with low-quality homemade poitine. It has been illegal in Ireland for centuries and was only legalised in 1997. Since its legalization, Poitín has been given a geographical indicative status of the EU. This means that from 2008, the real Poitín can only come from Ireland – like Champagne. Poitín is a trope in nineteenth-century Irish poetry and prose. Irish critic Sinéad Sturgeon has shown how the illegality of substance has become a crucial theme running through the works of Maria Edgeworth and William Carlton.
[15] Many characters in contemporary Irish playwright Martin McDonagh`s work consume or refer to Poitín, notably the brothers in The Lonesome West.[15] In the saga of Darren Shan`s book Lake of Souls, the character Spits Abrams brews his own Poitín. In Frank McCourt`s book “Tis”, he recalls that his mother Angela told him that when his brother Malachy visited him in Limerick, he received Poitín in the countryside and drank him with her. Poitin remained illegal in Ireland from 1661 to 7 March 1997, but it is still illegal in Northern Ireland. The legal poitin found in Ireland today is much sweeter and tastier to drink at about 40% – 45%. However, if you look closely, it shouldn`t be too hard to find someone who makes homemade Irish poitin like before. I was lucky that my grandfather was a Seanachaí (a storyteller/storyteller) because he made such fascinating stories. It was hard not to love Poitin, the profession, the heritage and the spirit of our family. Poitin was mainly produced in rural Ireland and produced in houses, sheds and woods. Many times it was deliberately distilled at land borders – when the illegal spirit was discovered by the authorities, the issue of ownership may have been controversial. In modern times, the Irish began to embrace the illegal past of Poitin and tried to remove what had been considered an illegal ban. In 1987, the regulations were relaxed somewhat and some companies were allowed to sell Poitin only for export. It was not until 1997 that the ban was lifted.
During the 17th century, when Ireland was under British rule, the government tried to impose a tax on the Poitin. This was not an easy task: distillers simply hid their bottles and denied the existence of tax collectors. King Charles II banned the beloved spirit in 1661. Many believe the move was part of a wider British effort to suppress Irish culture. Gossip production in the Republic of Ireland has apparently been legal since the mid-1990s. Fran von Love/Hate, a big fan of the unlegal Poitín Measures have also been taken to preserve the legacy of the spirit. In 2008, Poitin obtained the status of geographical indication (GI) from the European Union, which requires that the spirit be produced on the island.