Irish malt whiskey is whiskey made from malted barley and nothing else, distilled in copper pot stills. "Single malt" means it all comes from one distillery, while a blended malt mixes malt whiskeys from more than one. It tends to taste rounder and more cereal-sweet than grain whiskey, and it's the backbone of many Irish blends.

What is malt whiskey, exactly?

Malt whiskey starts with barley that has been malted: soaked, allowed to sprout, then dried to unlock the sugars. That malted barley is mashed, fermented and distilled in pot stills. If nothing but malted barley goes in, it's malt whiskey. Add unmalted barley and you're into Irish pot still whiskey, a different (and very Irish) style.

What is the difference between single malt and blended malt?

Single malt comes from one distillery. Blended malt (sometimes called a vatted malt) combines malt whiskeys from two or more distilleries, with no grain whiskey in the mix. Both are 100% malt. The difference is how many distilleries had a hand in it.

How is Irish malt different from Scotch malt?

The big talking point is distillation. Irish malt is very often triple distilled, which tends to give a lighter, smoother, fruitier spirit. Scotch malt is usually double distilled and is often (not always) peated for a smoky edge. Irish malt is typically unpeated, so it tastes of barley, orchard fruit and vanilla rather than smoke.

What does Irish malt whiskey taste like?

Expect honeyed barley, green apple and pear, vanilla and a soft, creamy finish. Because there's no smoke and no grain whiskey to lighten it, you get a fuller, maltier body than you'd find in a typical blend. Casks add their own notes, so every bottling shifts a little.

Is malt whiskey better than blended whiskey?

No, just different. Malt is bolder and more characterful on its own. Blends bring balance and approachability, which is why they dominate cocktails and everyday pouring. Plenty of whiskey fans drink both, and the best blends lean heavily on good malt.

How should you drink Irish malt whiskey?

Neat or with a splash of water is the classic way to get at the barley and fruit. One large ice cube works too. Save the cocktail shaker for blends, where the lighter grain character plays nicely with coffee, ginger and citrus.

Where does Flying Tumbler fit into this?

Flying Tumbler isn't a malt whiskey, and we're not going to pretend otherwise. It's a blend of grain whiskey and triple-distilled malt, born and blended in Co. Carlow at Larch Grove, the family farm of brothers Thomas and Patrick Walsh. The malt gives it body and character; the grain keeps it light and easy. Pick The Bird, The Roller or The Tippler and you get the best of both, without the fuss. Drink it neat, on the rocks, or in an Irish coffee. Paddy approves of all three.