Historic spirit from cross border collaboration

By SAM BUTLER

Killowen Distillery in County Down has collaborated with Blackwater Distillery in the Irish Republic to produce a limited edition Irish Poitín.

It is the first time such a project has been undertaken to celebrate the Irish Poitín category with producers on both sides of the border coming together to work on an all-island spirit.

Killowen, which is based near Rostrevor in the Mournes, sent local Knockshee oats to Blackwater, and in return the Waterford distillery sent its heritage barley north of the border.

Both distilleries then went on to produce A Dó Irish Poitín from this grain, which was then vatted. The distilleries split the final batch and have each bottled half of it in separate packaging that mirrors the other.

Poitín is Ireland’s oldest spirit, and started life underground in 1661 when taxes were first introduced. The drink is only now coming out of the shadows.

This is a very limited and special one-off celebration of a category that is at last finding it’s own voice.
Brendan Carty, of Killowen Distillery, explained: “As excited as we are about our own whiskey, we also have a target to revolutionise the poitín category and people’s attitudes towards it.

“This collaboration is an exciting release that showcases this unique spirit, as well as celebrating a drink that crosses boundaries and borders.”

Peter Mulryan of Blackwater Distillery, said: “In these difficult times, it’s important to remember we all share a small island and that our heritage is precious.

“This project with Killowen brings together two of Ireland’s most innovative distilleries, one North, one South, but with a shared vision.’
A Dó Irish Poitín, from the Irish ‘two,’ is available from all Killowen trading partners, online via Irish Malts in the Island of Ireland, Umbrella project in in Great Britain, and many retailers North and South.