Irish Whiskey with Pádraig Ó Graillais

In this episode, Jessica catches up with Pádraig Ó Graillais of Micil Distillery in Galway, Ireland. A classic story of Irish heritage, Micil is the creation of two brothers, Pádraig and Jimín Ó Graillais, who named the brand in honor of their great-great-great grandfather, Micil Mac Chearra. In the 1840s, he used to make poitín (unofficially) in the Connemara countryside. Six generations later, the family continues the tradition, making beautiful Irish spirits in Galway,

For the record, poitín is the predecessor to whiskey. Both were distilled from malted barley and other grains, and both were known as fuisce in the Irish language. The word fuisce (pronounced ‘fwishka’) derives from the Irish uisce beatha, meaning ‘water of life’. This was later Anglicised to become ‘whiskey’.)

Jessica had a chance to check out the distillery while living in Ireland last summer. At Micil, Pádraig offers a dynamic tasting of Micil spirits, including a heritage poitín made with peat-malted barley and oats, a small-batch peated whiskey blend with a triple cask, a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and aged partially in Bordeaux casks, a delicious gin distilled with Connemara bog myrtle, heather, hawberry, and bogbean, and a dreamy Irish cream made with a special family recipe. 

In this interview, Ó Graillais shares the story of Micil and how it fits into the heritage behind Irish Whiskey. 

The big takeaway was seeing the next generation of Irish distillers committed to sharing the unique heritage of the Irish west. These guys are making everything in this small urban distillery and the hard work shines through in the glass. Can’t wait to share with friends.

For more on Irish Whiskey, you can check out a story Jessica published through Food & Wine here. 

'Sláinte Mhaith' - To good health!

Micil Distillery - https://micildistillery.com/our-spirits/micil-irish-whiskey/ 

Food & Wine article - https://www.foodandwine.com/irish-whiskey-7110616