Irish Poteen - Discuss

Because of the success of the Absinthe thread, I was wondering if anyone had tried or held opinions on another high-strength spirit of varying legality - Poteen. This Irish spirit is available in varying strenghs up to 180 proof!

In the UK at least, it wasn't available for a long time because of it's strength, and it could only be bought at airports. Even now, the cost is very high for something that could easily taste like poison, so I've not tried it myself. Anyone had a try?

Trader Woody

I've tried the stuff they sell at the airport and it actually has a bit of a sweet taste to it. As a matter of fact, I drank quite a bit of it before going to midnight Mass for Christmas. My wifes family is from Ireland and my brother in law had a crock of it. Nothing like Swedish moonshine...which tastes like paint thinner!

Sounds a lot like Newfie Screech!

Man, I've been to Ireland (Unga is Irish alcoholic) twice and I have never heard of it.
I will definitely check it out.
Though I can recommend Irish Putang, 100 proof. :)

I got a bottle of it back in 97 when i was last in Ireland, Ive never tried it in all this time.

dunno bout poteen, but i had some of this this weekend

smooth! (not) but fun

my friend's dad in ontario distilled something out of pears. it instantly turned your mouth to dust. but it was dern good! j$

[ Edited by: Johnny Dollar on 2004-04-21 11:40 ]

From Boston and Irish and proud. For you who like Poteen and/or whiskey (sing loud!):

The Humours of Whiskey

Let your quacks and newspapers be cuttin' their capers
And curing the Vapours, the Scratch and the Gout.
With their medical potions, their pills and their lotions,
Upholdin' their notions, they're mighty put out.
Who can tell the true physic of all things pathetic
And pitch to the Devil Cramp, Colic and Spleen?
Oh you'll find them I think if you take a big drink
With your mouth to the brink of a jug of Poteen.

Then stick to the Cratur the best thing in nature
For sinkin' your sorrows and raisin' your joys.
Oh what botherations no bolt to the nation
Can bring consolation like Poteen me boys.
No liquid cosmetic to lovers athletic
Or ladies pathetic can bring such a bloom
As the sweet, by the powers to the garden of flowers
Never brought it own powers such a darlin' perfume.
And this liquid's so rare if you're willin' to share
To be takin' your hair when its grizzled and dead.
Oh the Sod has the merit to yield the true spirit
So strong it'll shake all the hairs from your head.

Then stick to the Cratur the best thing in nature
For sinkin' your sorrows and raisin' your joys.
Oh since its perfection no doctor's direction
Can cleanse the complexion like Poteen me boys.
As a child in my cradle the nurse from her ladle
Was swillin' her mouth with a notion of ``Pep''
When a drop from her bottle fell into me throttle.
I capered and scrambled right out of her lap.
On the floor I lay crawlin' and screamin' and bawlin'
Till Father and Mother soon came to the fore.
Conceived I lay dying, all wailing and crying
They found I was only a-cryin' for more.

Then stick to the Cratur the best thing in nature
For sinkin' your sorrows and raisin' your joys.
Oh Lord how I'd chuckle if babes in their truckle
Could only be suckled on Poteen me boys.
Through youthful digressions and times of depression
My childhood impression still clung to me mind.
In school and in college the basis of knowledge
I never could gulp 'till with whiskey combined.
Now as older I'm growin', time's ever bestowin'
On Erin's potation a flavour so fine
And how e're they may lecture on Jove and his nectar
Itself is the only true liquid divine.

Then stick to the Cratur the best thing in nature
For sinkin' your sorrows and raisin' your joys.
Oh Lord it's the right thing for courtin' and fightin'
There's nowt so exciting as Poteen me boys.
Come guess me this riddle what beats pipes and fiddle
What's hotter than mustard and wilder than cream?
What best wets your whistle, what's clearer than crystal
Smoother than honey and stronger than steam?
What'll make the dumb talk, what'll make the lame walk --
The elixir of life and philosopher's stone?
And what helped Mr. Brunell to dig the Thames tunnel
Wasn't it Poteen me boys from old Innishowen.

Then stick to the Cratur the best thing in nature
For sinkin' your sorrows and raisin' your joys.
Oh Lord knows I wonder if lightning and thunder
Was made from the plunder of Poteen me boys!

Traditional song, lyrics taken from: http://ameba.lpt.fi/~zaphod/lyrics/humours_of_whiskey
sung to the jig: Larry O' Gaff
(the version I'm referencing is by Tim Lyons)
Also known as: Paddy's Panacea - and - Stick to the Cratur (pronounced Cray-thur)

"Hey, at least I'm housebroken."

[ Edited by: polynesiac on 2004-04-22 10:19 ]

Here's a picture of a little poteeen mug that I meant to post yesterday, but couldn't as Shutterfly was down. It was one of those that you see in the corner of your eye and think might be Tiki, but aren't. I'm not sure if there's a history of drinking the stuff from vessels like these, or if it's just something you'd get from an Irish gift shop.

Trader Woody

I drank some poteeen that an irish mate brought to glastonbury a few years back, which came in one of those refundable glass pop bottles, and was brewed by an uncle of his. Can't remember if it had any taste but i do recal it tasted better than the stuff sold in airports.

Have not tried it but did imbibe in "Mayacol", a Mayan moonshine made from cacti, while in the Yucatan many years ago. It's sold in reused soda bottles with photocopied labels. Well worth the 6 pesos.

[ Edited by: Atomic Cocktail on 2004-04-22 10:55 ]

Here is a fun / informative website about Poteen.

http://www.geocities.com/green_poteen/index.html