Ireland,... What, exactly, is pochine? and I apologise for the spelling!?

Question

Very occasionally, I hear people refer to an Irish home-made brew called pochine.

What is it? What is made from, and how is it made?

It was a common occurance in the TV series "Ballykissangel" and I just got to wondering?

Any Irish people who can tell me?

Answer 1

http://homepage.eircom.net/~bunrattywine...

Answer 2

Or it can be spelt Poteen.

Answer 3

Pochine (check spelling etc) is pretty much the same thing as Kentucky Moonshine really - it's a high octaine booze - a home made spirit, usually white in colour.

Some years back I read somewhere that due to the popularity of Pochine in Ireland, a number of distilleries had been given permission to make it officially.  Not sure if that's true, but we are talking Ireland, where all things are possible.

As I understand it, the making of Pochine is illegal, but it goes on anyway.  Similar thing in Scotland really - a mate of mine went to a booze up on one of the far flung islands somewhere and everyone was at this gathering event and all the whisky was about a week old at best.

A nice evening was had by all etc.

Here's the whisky drinking song from the 1949 movie, "Whisky Galore" - an Ealing Comedy. . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBp2ke5By...

Answer 4

Made from potatoes

Answer 5

Poitin is a very strong and potent form of alcohol, as far as I know it's still illegal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poitin

http://homepage.eircom.net/~bunrattywine...

Answer 6

Ah Poitín its an illegal Liquor its made from malted barley, though it can also be made from potatoes,its called Poitín because its a diminutive of the word pota, meaning pot because it was traditionally distilled in a small pot.

Answer 7

traditionally its spelled poitín but is pronounced the way you wrote it!  its sometimes called 'still' as in distilled.

its made from fermented potatoes and it tends to be very strong.  its normally made my old guys in their barns illegally.  it can also be flavoured with strawberries, cloves etc to take the really bad taste away!

i once saw some that melted though its plastic bottle overnight!  can you imagine what it would do to your insides!

oh, never drink it if its not completely clear!!!!!!

Answer 8

Strong stuff the ould poitin... My dad used to make it when I was a kid and give me a drop on a cold winters night  (medicinal purposes). Wish i got the recipe from my dad!

Answer 9

Pocheen is an unbelievable strong drink that is illegal in Ireland. I don't recommend you try it.

Answer 10

Its is spelled poitin , it is a strong spirt distilled from potatoes.

Answer 11

An illegal alcoholic drink that could potentially kill you.

I know loads of people that make it! lol

Answer 12

Poitín (Irish spelling)  is a spirit. Was made illegally for years and now is made under licence legally. It is often seen at airports for export sales.

The legal Poitín is no more lethal  than vodka or whiskey.

Answer 13

Northern Ireland  have Pochine, its like almost pure distilled alcohol and its totally illegal

Answer 14

not Irish i am a Scot.....but i have tried it, it is the Irish equivalent of 'moonshine' and is an acquired taste..........illegally brewed it is pretty strong and gives a hangover from the pit of Hades itself