Triple Distillation vs Double Distillation
Irish whiskey typically undergoes triple distillation, whereas in Scotland double distillation is more common. A combination of both pot and column stills may be used, as well as a combination of grains including both malted and unmalted barley.
Heads, Hearts, or Tails?
So what does distillation do? It is a crucial process in whiskey-making that involves separating the liquid into different components, known as "cuts". The heads and tails are the unwanted components that contain unpleasant flavours, and they need to be removed to produce high-quality whiskey.
If the distillation process is rushed or done poorly, the heads and tails can contaminate the whiskey, resulting in an inferior taste. Irish whiskey is triple-distilled, which means that the heart of the whiskey is collected in three separate cuts. This process allows for Irish whiskey to more finely tune into good flavours.
Once. Twice. Thrice.
The result of triple distillation is fairly simple; a third distillation will increase the final distillation strength and provide the distiller with a third “hearts” cut. The best master distillers will use this to their advantage and produce a cleaner, smoother, lighter whiskey that displays less ethanol pungency, fatty acids, and fusul alcohols. This comes with one caveat though, the additional cut and increased distillation strength may remove desirable flavour components.
For this reason, double-distilled Scotch whiskey may showcase highly characterful flavours and richer, oilier textures, while triple-distilled Irish whiskey may have more distinct flavours and lighter, smoother textures.
Jameson Irish Whiskey
Jameson, produced by the Midleton distillery, is perhaps the best-known Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey on the market. It is a blended Irish whiskey with a distinct flavour profile that is light and smooth, making it a popular choice among average consumers. In accomplishing these attributes, some whiskey aficionados might argue that Midleton has forgone complexity and consider Jameson an overly neutral spirit due to its use of column stills and triple distillation practices.
The Pogues Irish Whiskey
If you’re looking for a light, approachable spirit, but would like to venture into a bit more flavour and complexity, The Pogues Irish Whiskey from West Cork distillery is a great option. Like Jameson, it is a triple-distilled, blended Irish whiskey, but in this case, 50% of the blend comes from a 10-year pot-distilled single malt. This half of the whiskey has been distilled to a lower strength with narrower hearts cuts and has been matured in barrels for a significant length of time for added flavour contribution from the oak.
By blending this with younger grain whiskey, West Cork has succeeded in crafting an approachable entry-level whiskey that is notably more complex in flavour, richer in texture, and more passionately produced. It is affectionately named after the band The Pogues, and showcases flavours of malt, citrus, black pepper, nutmeg, and vanilla.
Author Kamran Ahmed: Kam began his journey with JAK's in 2018. He worked seasonally in liquor retail for nearly a decade while pursuing a Master's in Cinema before realizing that beer, whisky, and wine were more interesting. He has WSET Level 3 in both wines and spirits, is a Prud'homme certified Beer Sommelier, and is a certified Whisky Ambassador. Outside of JAK's, find him at the Cinematheque, a local brewery, or a dog trail with his pupper, Charlie!