Poteen?
March 1, 2006 10:31 AM Subscribe
Potcheen. Poteen. Poitin. Does anybody know anything about the 'unlawfully distilled Irish liquor?' I'm writing a novel where one of the characters is attempting to become an expert on the drink. While I'm not looking to make the stuff myself, I'm interested on information ranging from history, legality, distillation. Anything really.
Alice Fleming, rather.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:39 AM on March 1, 2006
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:39 AM on March 1, 2006
I know the brand of Potcheen I had (IIRC, it was Bunratty) makes a tasty toddy, and as I'm sure you know, it's clear Irish moonshine. The label now proudly bears the stamp NOW LEGAL! Not much more than that, I'm afraid.
posted by middleclasstool at 11:25 AM on March 1, 2006
posted by middleclasstool at 11:25 AM on March 1, 2006
Obscure factoid. Ireland entered a period of economic warfare with the United Kingdom during the latter half of the 18th century. This led to the Act of Union in 1801 that abolished the Irish Parliament and removed from Ireland any real ability to enact its own tax and excise policies. As a result, Ireland suffered under a virtual Prohibition for most of the 19th cnetury and domestic alcohol production and consumption within Ireland plummetted due to extremely restrictive, punitive laws and taxes. There was also the small matter of an extreme religiously-motivated persecution against alcohol manufacturers and consumers. As a result, the main brewing company left was the "Protestant" Guinness company which enjoyed strong political links with the UK occupation regime.
An Irish solution to the unavailablity of potin was to replace alcohol consumption with dietheyl ether consumption. Ether was sold openly in shops and usually drunk "straight", that is, mixed with water, as opposed to Continental forms of ether consumption that mixed it with cognac or whisky. Ireland led the world in per capita ether consumption for two generations, averaging around half a litre per person annually at the peak of its popularity in 1891. During the 1890s the UK government scheduled ether as a narcotic and made it easier and cheaper to drink in Ireland in private and in public. Just over 20 years later there was a Rebellion against UK rule. I for one do not consider these developments unconnected. Many of the Irish Nationalists made names for themselves during the 90s and noughties by opposing the massive growth pubs. James Connolly's screeds against the growing power of the "gombeen" pub owners of Ireland are classics of their kind.
To paraphrase Trainspotting: "Potin? Who needs Potin when you've got ether?"
posted by meehawl at 11:58 AM on March 1, 2006
An Irish solution to the unavailablity of potin was to replace alcohol consumption with dietheyl ether consumption. Ether was sold openly in shops and usually drunk "straight", that is, mixed with water, as opposed to Continental forms of ether consumption that mixed it with cognac or whisky. Ireland led the world in per capita ether consumption for two generations, averaging around half a litre per person annually at the peak of its popularity in 1891. During the 1890s the UK government scheduled ether as a narcotic and made it easier and cheaper to drink in Ireland in private and in public. Just over 20 years later there was a Rebellion against UK rule. I for one do not consider these developments unconnected. Many of the Irish Nationalists made names for themselves during the 90s and noughties by opposing the massive growth pubs. James Connolly's screeds against the growing power of the "gombeen" pub owners of Ireland are classics of their kind.
To paraphrase Trainspotting: "Potin? Who needs Potin when you've got ether?"
posted by meehawl at 11:58 AM on March 1, 2006
Any Poteen expert-to-be almost certainly would choose In Praise of Poteen by John McGuffin for his or her short reading list. High marks in several references, and this review (scroll down a bit) has it covering the range of your request.
"A book of almost classic status to those who know it, first published in 1978, this book deserves to be widely read. Its subject, the time-honoured Irish practice of illegal distillation of whiskey, is one of great human and social interest. Its treatment by the author is scholarly and entertaining and enriched with a vast knowledge of the history: techniques and lore of the poitin makers. Based upon much personal knowledge and anecdotal evidence as well as on documented sources, it is a book which can never be written again, for the old men who gave their reminiscences to the author are no longer with us."
posted by mdevore at 12:06 PM on March 1, 2006
"A book of almost classic status to those who know it, first published in 1978, this book deserves to be widely read. Its subject, the time-honoured Irish practice of illegal distillation of whiskey, is one of great human and social interest. Its treatment by the author is scholarly and entertaining and enriched with a vast knowledge of the history: techniques and lore of the poitin makers. Based upon much personal knowledge and anecdotal evidence as well as on documented sources, it is a book which can never be written again, for the old men who gave their reminiscences to the author are no longer with us."
posted by mdevore at 12:06 PM on March 1, 2006
Just to add that we " healers" used it as a cure for baldness (massaged to the scalp as well as other applications!) and as a cure for Rhumatoid Arthritis.....
The fact that the Cops wouldn't allow us to have it was neither here nor there, most of the Police were as Anti-Establishment as we were. My Father's main source in the 1970's was a Police Sergeant friend.
posted by Wilder at 2:47 PM on March 1, 2006
The fact that the Cops wouldn't allow us to have it was neither here nor there, most of the Police were as Anti-Establishment as we were. My Father's main source in the 1970's was a Police Sergeant friend.
posted by Wilder at 2:47 PM on March 1, 2006
About 25 years ago, I had a friend whose grandfather who used to make the stuff in his basement. We would sneak flasks of it when he wasn't around. All I can say is that it had a most distinctive taste & it used to knock us to the ground. High alcohol content. As teenagers, we called it potato-vodka. Surprisingly, Grey Goose is close to that taste.
posted by rhymesinister at 11:39 PM on March 1, 2006
posted by rhymesinister at 11:39 PM on March 1, 2006
I had some export-only Irish potcheen once; a friend brought it from Ireland. It was the roughest, nastiest liquor I've ever had the displeasure of tasting.
It came in a beige jug, prominently labeled 'Export Only.' I forget the brand. The Irish shopkeeper who sold it to him joked that of course it was export only - no sane person would keep it around to drink.
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:13 AM on March 2, 2006
It came in a beige jug, prominently labeled 'Export Only.' I forget the brand. The Irish shopkeeper who sold it to him joked that of course it was export only - no sane person would keep it around to drink.
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:13 AM on March 2, 2006
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posted by Astro Zombie at 10:39 AM on March 1, 2006