Whiskey: The tree’s the thing

Irish distilleries are increasingly ageing their whiskeys in woods other than oak

Larissa Marrichi and Finbarr Curran of Method & Madness which has produced releases finished in chestnut, acacia, cherry and mulberry. Picture: Derek Kennedy

Whiskey is now a global product, and while the Irish industry is most certainly in a major growth phase, the range of international competition is something that we need to be mindful of. Thousands of jobs - both current and future - are at stake.

As other nations develop their home-grown whiskeys, there is one unique element to Irish whiskey that could help us stand out more.

Irish whiskey rules allow for woods other than ...