Michael Collins – The History of Irish Whiskey
By Doug Singer
Michael Collins is a heroic figure in Irish history. Affectionately known as “The Big Fellow”, he signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which made Ireland an independent country for the first time in over 700 years. Michael Collins was a visionary who realized that Ireland was poised for greatness. He understood the importance of retaining culture and heritage but knew that as an independent country, Ireland could flourish.
At one time there were more than 2000 distilleries in Ireland that produced the beloved whiskey with more than 400 Irish whiskey brands available for export. Surprisingly, today, only three operating distilleries remain. Michael Collins Irish whiskeys are proudly handcrafted at the only independent, Irish-owned distillery and notedly the only one to use the age-old tradition of distilling peated barley.
Dedicated to the production of the finest Irish whiskey, the Michael Collins master distiller pays careful attention to detail to ensure that their whiskeys are distilled and aged to perfection. Clean, clear water is essential in making premium whiskey. Michael Collins Irish whiskeys are distilled with fresh spring water that is soft and pure, from Slieve na gCloc in the mountains of Co. Louth. After distillation, Michael Collins Irish whiskeys are placed in bourbon seasoned barrels and stored in 18th Century stone warehouses. Ireland's temperate climate coupled with the cool, moist and dark warehouse conditions allows the whiskeys to mature evenly. It is during this maturation time that the whiskeys develop their unique and distinctive characteristics. They become smooth, flavorful and complex, drawing color and flavor from the small bourbon casks. Irish whiskey by definition must be aged for a minimum of three years in wood. Michael Collins Irish whiskeys are all aged for at least four years, giving extra time for the complex aromas and flavors to develop. Once aged, each whiskey cask is chill-filtered to ensure a crystal clear whiskey.
Michael Collins whiskeys are available in two styles, specially crafted to be flavorful, complex and balanced. Michael Collins Blend is a unique blend of Malt Irish whiskey and Grain Irish whiskey. Malt Irish whiskey is distilled entirely from malted barley in small copper pot stills. These whiskeys are distinctive and full of flavor. Grain Irish whiskey is distilled from maize in column stills, to give light, slightly sweet and elegant whiskeys. Michael Collins single malt is made only with Malt Irish whiskey, some of which is peated.
On the nose, Michael Collins Blend has aromas of honey, citrus and malt. It has a full, clean taste delicately balanced between sweet and citrus flavors, with a fresh oak finish. Michael Collins Single Malt has aromas of chocolate malt with light citrus and honeysuckle notes. On the palate, it is well-rounded and complex with a rich maltiness. The long finish has a hint of chocolate and a wonderfully settled smoky flavor from the peat that seems to linger on the palate.
A mix of innovation and time-honored tradition, the distinctive style of Michael Collins Irish Whiskey is one to be discovered.
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