Collection: Pot still

In our online shop, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of the finest pot still whiskies. Here are some of the best-known and most renowned brands whose products you can find here:

• Redbreast: One of the best-known brands of pot still whisky, famous for its rich and complex flavours of fruit, spices and sherry oak.
• Green Spot: This whiskey offers a wonderful balance of fruity and spicy notes with a hint of wood and vanilla.
• Yellow Spot: An exquisite pot still whiskey, known for its deep and complex flavours of honey, peaches and spices.
• Midleton: This distillery produces some of the finest pot still whiskies, prized for their superb balance and multi-layered flavours.
• Powers: Powers John’s Lane Release is a classic pot still whiskey with intense aromas of oak, spices and dark chocolate.

The characteristic blend of malted and unmalted barley in pot still whiskey has its origins not only in flavour, but also in historical tax regulations. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the British government imposed high taxes on malted barley – a measure that placed a heavy burden on Irish distilleries. To reduce production costs and avoid tax disadvantages, they began replacing some of the malted barley with unmalted barley.

Over time, this economically motivated adjustment developed into a defining characteristic of Irish pot still whiskey. The combination of malted and unmalted barley not only gave the distillate a distinctive, spicy character, but also became a style-defining tradition. Even today, the recipe for many pot still whiskies is based on this historical legacy – an example of how political influences continue to shape the world of whisky to this day.

Pot still whiskies offer an impressive variety of flavours, which vary from distillery to distillery. Typical aromas include green apples, spices, nuts, honey and creamy vanilla. This versatility makes pot still whisky particularly appealing to connoisseurs seeking a rich and complex taste experience.

The size of the pot stills used in Irish whiskey production is a key factor in the typically smooth, balanced style of pot still whiskey. Irish distilleries such as Midleton traditionally use very large, bulbous copper stills, which are significantly more voluminous than their Scottish counterparts. This size results in a slower, gentler distillation, during which heavy alcohols settle at the bottom and only the finer vapours make their way into the condenser.

In contrast, many Scottish distilleries rely on smaller pot stills, which tend to produce stronger, oilier and more intense distillates. Irish pot stills, on the other hand, favour a light, rounded and balanced character with a smooth texture – a key characteristic of classic pot still whiskey. The size of the still is therefore not merely a technical detail, but significantly shapes the sensory profile of the finished whisky.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Irish whiskey production underwent profound changes, particularly in distillation methods. Originally, the fires for the copper stills were traditionally fuelled by peat, which gave the whiskey a characteristic smoky note – comparable to many early Scottish whiskies. However, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and greater access to fossil fuels, there was an increasing shift towards coal as a heat source.

This shift had a significant impact on the flavour profile of Irish whiskies. The more consistent heat of coal allowed for a more controlled distillation process and resulted in a cleaner, milder distillate – a stylistic characteristic that continues to define Irish whiskey to this day. The switch from peat to coal thus marks not only a technological advance, but also a stylistic turning point in the history of pot still whiskey.

Pure Pot Still Whiskey, also known as Single Pot Still Whiskey, is a typical Irish whiskey variety distilled exclusively in traditional copper pot stills. The key difference from the general term ‘Pot Still Whiskey’ lies in its purity: Pure Pot Still Whiskey comes from a single distillery and consists of a blend of malted and unmalted barley – with no other whiskies added. This gives it its full-bodied, spicy character and is considered particularly authentic.

In contrast, the term ‘Pot Still Whisky’ can also be used more broadly, for example to describe blends containing a proportion of pot still-distilled whisky. These products are often milder and less distinctive, as they are combined with grain whiskies or other varieties. Pure Pot Still Whiskey clearly stands out thanks to its traditional production, its deep flavour complexity and its Irish origins – a variety for lovers of the unadulterated art of distillation.

Pure Pot Still Whiskey, now usually referred to as Single Pot Still Whiskey, is a traditional yet increasingly rare type of whiskey. It is produced exclusively in Ireland and only by a handful of distilleries, most notably the Midleton Distillery with brands such as Redbreast, Green Spot and Powers. This limited production base makes Pure Pot Still Whiskey a sought-after speciality amongst connoisseurs and collectors.

Its production is complex and based on a unique recipe using malted and unmalted barley, distilled exclusively in pot stills. The combination of traditional techniques, limited production volumes and a distinctive flavour profile means that this whiskey is only available to a limited extent outside Ireland. Anyone who discovers it holds a true rarity in their hands – a piece of Irish whiskey culture of exceptional value.

Pot still whiskey is produced using a unique Irish method that involves both malted and unmalted barley. This results in a rich and creamy texture and a complex flavour profile ranging from fruity to spicy notes. Distillation in traditional copper pot stills enhances the depth and complexity of the aromas, making Pot Still Whiskey a distinctive spirit.

Our online shop offers you a user-friendly platform where you can order your favourite whisky easily and securely. Thanks to detailed product descriptions and customer reviews, you’ll quickly find the whisky that suits your taste. You’ll also benefit from our regular promotions and discounts.

Would you like to learn more about the world of pot still whisky? Take advantage of our range of tasting sets and samples. These sets allow you to sample different pot still whiskies and discover your favourites. They also make the perfect gift for whisky lovers!