Aeneas Coffey was the Irishman who improved upon Robert Stein's column stills and patented his own Coffey (say 'coffee') Still in 1830. His new, more efficient piece of kit was soon adopted all around the world, except, ironically, in Ireland. In fact, the Irish* told him to jog on! They were understandably rather attached to their pot stills and the full flavoured single malts and single pot still whiskeys they produced.

* represented here by ambassadors James Goggin (TBWC), Liam Sparks (Irish Distillers) and Kevin Hurley (Teeling) as well as Bán Poitín's Dave Mulligan, Irish spirits fanatic Charlie McCarthy and Ableforth's own wild goose Lee Peare

Tasting notes:

Nose: Hazelnut, buttered popcorn, a touch of menthol.

Palate: Fruitier than the nose suggests, with yellow plum, sultana and melon developing.

Finish: Malty and subtly drying