Top Shelf Other Spirits Picks From The Distiller Community

Ketel One Botanical hits shelves beginning May 2018. Cucumber & Mint is part of a trio of releases which all start with Ketel One Vodka--made with 100% non-GMO grain. A botanical recipe is added and the product is redistilled in copper pot stills. Then it is infused with "naturally-extracted essences of crisp, fragrant fruits and botanicals". No artificial flavors, added sugars, or artificial sweeteners are added. Bottled at 60 proof, a 1.5 oz serving is 73 calories.

Ketel One Botanical hits shelves beginning May 2018. Peach & Orange Blossom is part of a trio of releases which all start with Ketel One Vodka--made with 100% non-GMO grain. A botanical recipe is added and the product is redistilled in copper pot stills. Then it is infused with "naturally-extracted essences of crisp, fragrant fruits and botanicals". No artificial flavors, added sugars, or artificial sweeteners are added. Bottled at 60 proof, a 1.5 oz serving is 73 calories.

Botanical is made using four-column continuous distillation with 100% certified organic American rye. Their water is sourced from the Snake River watershed of the Teton Mountain range. It is infused with the following organic botanicals: chamomile, citrus peel, coriander, lavender, lemon verbena, pear, rose, and rosemary. Bottled at 45% ABV.

Poitín [pu-tcheen] has been distilled for hundreds of years, but went underground in the 17th century its producers could avoid taxes. It was finally legalized in 1997. This poitín has been made from locally sourced malted barley and is bottled at 40% ABV. The name is inspired by the saying "mad as a March hare"; March is breeding season for hares and to win the attention of the females, they brawl. Imbibing a bit too much poitín can often result in an excitable state.

Poitín was first distilled in Ireland in the 17th century before being banned in 1661, and would be over 300 years before its production would be legalized again. In an effort to revive the production of Poitín in Ireland, Teeling has released its own version, consisting of a blend of 80% corn spirit triple distilled in column stills and 20% malted barley spirit double distilled in copper pot stills and immediately bottled after blending.

Poitin is an Irish-style white whiskey. This offering from O'Begley in Pittsford, New York -- founded in 2011 -- is made from 75% New York barley, 20 % malted barley, and 5% oats, fermented with ale yeast.

Glendalough prides itself on being Ireland's first craft distillery, founded by 5 friends from Dublin and Wicklow in 2011. This is their signature Poitín (pronounced "po-tcheen," which means "pot stilled whiskey," the original Irish "water of life") recipe distilled from sugar beets and malted barley, but very lightly aged in sherry casks. The label depicts St. Kevin, the monk credited with introducing pot stilled whiskey to Ireland in the 16th century.

Glendalough prides itself on being Ireland's first craft distillery, founded by 5 friends from Dublin and Wicklow in 2011. This is a stronger cask strength version of their signature Poitín (pronounced "po-tcheen," which means "pot stilled whiskey," the original Irish "water of life"), with a label featuring St. Kevin, the monk credited with introducing post stilled whiskey to Ireland in the 16th century. It's distilled from sugar beets and malted barley and lightly aged in virgin oak casks, filtered for clarity.

Glendalough prides itself on being Ireland's first craft distillery, founded by 5 friends from Dublin and Wicklow in 2011. Their signature Poitín (pronounced "po-tcheen," which means "pot stilled whiskey," the original Irish "water of life") is made from a classic recipe, distilled from sugar beets and malted barley. Though it's clear, it has actually been lightly aged in virgin oak and filtered for clarity. The image on the bottle is St. Kevin, the monk credited with introducing pot stilled whiskey to Ireland in the 16th century.