Still Spirits Shamrock Whiskey essence, what it does

What an Irish style whiskey is aiming at

An Irish whiskey is the gentle one. Where a scotch can come at you with smoke and a rye comes at you with pepper, this style is built around being smooth and light, and that's why it's so often the bottle people reach for when they aren't sure what they like yet.

Still Spirits Shamrock Whiskey is that profile in a bottle. It goes into a clean neutral base and gives you the Irish style character without any of the wait that the real thing involves.

Nothing here is distilling

Worth saying plainly, because the two keep getting mixed up. Running a still to make spirits at home needs an excise manufacturer licence from the ATO, and that's a federal rule that applies everywhere in Australia. Buying a bottle of neutral spirit and flavouring it isn't distilling, it needs no licence, and it's what this essence is for.

How to use it

The dose rate is on the pack and that's what to work to. Mix it right through, put it away, and give it a week or two before you form an opinion, because the flavour keeps settling after you add it and the first taste is misleading.

Because this style is meant to be smooth, it's the one where overshooting shows up fastest. Too much essence and the thing you were chasing, which is the softness, is the first thing you lose.

What it suits

It's a good sipper for people who find a peated whisky hard going, and it's forgiving in a mixed drink because it doesn't fight whatever you put with it. It's also a sensible first essence if you're buying one to find out whether you like making your own at all.

Leave the heavy oak alone on this one. A light touch is fine, but cask character works against the whole point of the style.

Shop related products

• Still Spirits Shamrock Whiskey 50ml. This is the bottle the post is about.
• Still Spirits Premium Classic Shamrock Whiskey Essence. This is the premium classic version of the same style.
• Edwards Essences Shamrock Malt Whiskey Essence. This is another Irish style profile from a different maker.
• Still Spirits Mellow Oak Spirit Flavouring 50ml. A light oak note used sparingly sits well under this one.

Did you know we also hold the oak soakers and the barrel chips in the shop, and they aren't on the website at all. Give us a ring on (08) 8536 4333 to check what's on the shelf.

Where to go next

The homebrew range has the rest of them, and Brewhilder will talk you through what suits the spirit you are making.

Worth reading next: How to flavour a spirit at home with essences and How to store and age a spirit you made at home.

Smooth is what I aim for and heavy handed is what I usually deliver, so measure rather than copying me.