Whiskey Special: A life of Uisce Beatha

Irish whiskey has survived famine, war, recession and prohibition, and is now in the midst of a revival

Peter Mulryan, author of The Whiskeys of Ireland and chief executive of Blackwater distillery Pic: Bryan Meade

Pour yourself a glass of anyIrish whiskey. If it’s at 40 per cent ABV, then it contains 40 per cent pure and clear ethyl alcohol, and almost 40 per cent tasteless water. The ‘almost’ is very important, however, for without it, you would be drinking vodka, and you clearly are not.

The spirit in your glass ...