Poitín
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Poitín or Poteen (IPA [ˈpˠocʲiːn], also potcheen) is an Irish liquor, often classified as illegal or "moonshine". The term is a diminutive of the word pota, meaning "pot". Poitín was traditionally distilled in a small pot.[1]
Poitín is traditionally made from malted barley, though it can also be made from potatoes.[2]
Irish moonshine, along with all other private distillation not specifically licensed by the state, was outlawed in 1661.[1] On 7 March, 1997, the Irish Revenue Commissioners withdrew their opposition to Poteen being sold in Ireland, though legal production for export has been allowed for quite some time. In 2008, Irish Poteen was accorded G.I. (Geographical Indicative Status) by the EU Council and Parliament, under EU Regulation 110/2008 ANNEX 111. Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89
Two companies are officially licensed to produce Poteen; Knockeen Hills, and Bunratty Winery.[2]
[edit] References in popular culture
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- The traditional Irish folk song "The Hills of Connemara" is about poitín.
- Poitín is a potent literary trope in Irish poetry and prose of the nineteenth century. The Irish critic Sinéad Sturgeon has demonstrated how the contested legality of the substance became a crucial theme running through the works of Maria Edgeworth and William Carlton. Poitín was also mentioned in the book How Many Miles to Babylon? by Jennifer Johnston.
- The first feature film to be made entirely in the Irish Language was called Poitín (1979). The story involves an illegal distiller, his two agents, and his daughter in the remote west of Ireland, Connemara. The film was made by Bob Quinn and was the first film to receive a grant from the Arts Council of Ireland.
[edit] Bibliography
- ^ a b McGuffin, John (1978). In Praise of Poteen. Belfast: Appletree Press. ISBN 0-9046-5136-3.
- ^ a b Niafer, MacMorna. Poteen - The Guid Ould Stuff. Retrieved on March 12, 2008.
- Sinead Sturgeon, "The Politics of Poitin: Maria Edgeworth, William Carleton, and the Battle for the Spirit of Ireland", Irish Studies Review, volume 15, number 1
