Paddy Whiskey
Encyclopedia
Paddy Whiskey is a brand of 80-proof
blended Irish whiskey
produced in Cork
, Ireland
, by the company Irish Distillers
. The brand is Ireland's third best selling whiskey
.
In 1881 the company hired a young Corkman called Paddy Flaherty as salesman. Paddy travelled the pubs of Cork
, buying drinks for the customers. His sales techniques were so good that his name became synonymous with the whiskey both in Ireland and abroad. In 1912, the distillery officially renamed the whiskey Paddy Irish Whiskey in his honour.
In 1920s and 1930s Ireland, whiskey was sold in casks from the distillery to wholesalers, who would in turn sell it on to publicans. Cork Distilleries Company wanted to prevent any fluctuation in whiskey quality due to the bonder underhandedly diluting the casks. Thus the company was one of the first to bottle their whiskey.
As with other Irish whiskeys, Paddy has been enjoying export success which has recently increased due to availability in the United States as of February 2010.
Proof (alcohol)
Alcohol proof is a measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage. The term was originally used in the United Kingdom and was defined as 7/4 times the alcohol by volume . The UK now uses the abv standard instead of alcohol proof. In the United States, alcoholic proof is defined...
blended Irish whiskey
Blended whiskey
A blended whisky is the product of blending different types of whiskies and often also neutral and near-neutral spirits, coloring, and flavorings...
produced in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, by the company Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers is a subsidiary of the French drinks conglomerate Pernod-Ricard S.A.. It was acquired in 1988 in a friendly takeover.-History:...
. The brand is Ireland's third best selling whiskey
Irish whiskey
Irish whiskey is whiskey made in Ireland.Key regulations defining Irish whiskey and its production are established by the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980, and are relatively simple...
.
History
Paddy Whiskey was first produced by the Cork Distilleries Company in 1779, although it was originally known as Cork Distillery Company Old Irish Whiskey.In 1881 the company hired a young Corkman called Paddy Flaherty as salesman. Paddy travelled the pubs of Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, buying drinks for the customers. His sales techniques were so good that his name became synonymous with the whiskey both in Ireland and abroad. In 1912, the distillery officially renamed the whiskey Paddy Irish Whiskey in his honour.
In 1920s and 1930s Ireland, whiskey was sold in casks from the distillery to wholesalers, who would in turn sell it on to publicans. Cork Distilleries Company wanted to prevent any fluctuation in whiskey quality due to the bonder underhandedly diluting the casks. Thus the company was one of the first to bottle their whiskey.
Blending
Paddy whiskey is distilled three times and matured in oak casks for up to seven years. Paddy has a high malt content in its blend in comparison to other Irish whiskeys; this ensures that Paddy is '[o]ne of the softest of all Ireland's whiskeys' (Jim Murray, International Whiskey Connoisseur).At present
While touring the Jameson bottling plant, one can observe the bottling of Paddy.As with other Irish whiskeys, Paddy has been enjoying export success which has recently increased due to availability in the United States as of February 2010.