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Home Page > News > Irish moonshine, poitín, on its way to the United States – VIDEO

Irish moonshine, poitín, on its way to the United States – VIDEO

Once illegal, it’s hoped that this Irish liquor could be found in US bars

By
BERNIE MALONE,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 7:40 AM
Updated Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 9:43 AM

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Hopefully on its way to Ireland 1661 Poitin
Hopefully on its way to Ireland 1661 Poitin
Photo by 1661 Poitin


Kickstarter, a website that helps entrepreneurs raise funds, is helping an ambitious Irish woman to bring the historic Irish liquor poitín (pronounced puh-cheen) to the United States. It’s her dream to have 1661 Poitín as a regular liquor found in US bars.

The liquor, made with malted barley grain or potatoes, is very potent. It was banned from being sold in Ireland in 1661, hence the name, and although the drink is still banned in Northern Ireland, as of 1997 the ban was lifted in the Republic.

Ashlee Casserly, a Westmeath woman now living in Washington DC, envisages 1661 Poitín being made with only Irish ingredients. Her plan is to base the recipe on the traditional poitín and incorporate changes to accommodate the modern palate.

She told IrishCentral that the drink “has been made in Ireland for centuries and centuries, it was even banned for 300 years in between and still managed to thrive. It is almost impossible to get it here in the States and so I propose to change that.”

Casserly’s goal on Kickstarter is to reach $40,000 within the next 20 days. Here is her Kickstarter account.

In the past, Kickstarter has helped unique projects such as iPhone smart covers, to MacBook Air docks get off the ground. Here’s hoping the new project works.

Here’s a video:

​
See more: Irish drinks , Irish history , Irish culture , News from Ireland
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8 Comments

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timbobdennehy | Feb 10, 2012, 09:58 AM EST
a household staple,barry's tea is the household staple

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IrelandNorth | Feb 08, 2012, 06:37 AM EST
A more accurate phonetic spelling of 'poitin' would be "putch-een". But then, as an absteemious and temperant sort of Irish chap, I'm dead against this romanticisation of such stomach eroding, paint-stripping, aletnative fuel supply. Hoard it in you garage for the inevitable petroleum shortage to run your Model T on after 21/12/2012, if we're not all gone down the tubes by then as those South American Mayan's predicted.

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merefalow | Feb 08, 2012, 06:34 AM EST
good luck,i hate knocking anything iriosh,BUT?PAINT STRIPPER SPRINGS TO MIND,only banned for 300 years,amazing that,possible substitute for gasoline,weed killer,insect repellent,nail varnish remover,loads of uses long as you don't drink it,maybe its an acquired taste and it will become a great export,i sincerely hope so.

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ashcass | Feb 07, 2012, 06:49 PM EST
Honestly GeorgDillion I think you will be very surprised at the great taste of 1661 Poitin!! And if Sean O'Riada just to drink it then I can only say he must have liked it! Thanks Irish Central for the great support!!

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GeorgeDillon | Feb 07, 2012, 02:00 PM EST
I've tasted poteen a couple times. I'd sooner put it in my car than drink it. It killed the great Sean O Riada.

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Murph46 | Feb 07, 2012, 01:51 PM EST
I'll be watchin ,if ya don't go blind,I'll try it!

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jjkleprechaun | Feb 07, 2012, 10:37 AM EST
Professor, I'll be right behind you!!! Come on Poitin!!

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TheOldPerfessor | Feb 07, 2012, 09:25 AM EST
I know a store in New Haven that sells "Legal" Poiteen, but I'd line up to buy this.

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