(April 28, 2013 at 3:12 am)KichigaiNeko Wrote:

Quote:Poitín--The Spirit of Ireland
Poitín is a traditional Irish distilled, highly alcoholic beverage (60%-90% ABV). Poitín was traditionally distilled in a small pot still and the term is a diminutive of the Irish word pota, meaning "pot". It is distilled from malted barley, grain, potatoes or whey and is one of the strongest alcoholic beverages in the world. Illegal in Ireland for centuries, Irish moonshine, potcheen, poteen or mountain dew, whatever you choose to call it, is not a drink for the faint of heart.
Poitín was generally produced in remote rural areas, away from the interference of the law. A wash was created and fermented before the distillation began. A wash for 100 gallons of fresh water contained six stone (84 lb) of potatoes, six stone of sugar and some yeast. Stills were often set up on land boundaries so the issue of ownership could be disputed. Prior to the introduction of bottled gas, the fire to heat the wash was provided by turf. Smoke was a giveaway for the police, so windy, broken weather was chosen to disperse the smoke. The still was heated and attended to for several days to allow the runs to go through. In later years, the heat was provided by gas and this reduced discovery by police while distilling.

You can buy poitín legally these days from Bunratty Mead and Liqueuer, and Knockeen Hills Poteen, and can easily use it as a vodka substitute in mixed drinks, if you don't want take on the "rare old stuff" straight.

(May 2, 2013 at 2:46 am)KichigaiNeko Wrote: