Queen Elizabeth 1st enjoyed Irish whiskey. It’s said that she had casks of Irish whiskey brought to London and put away in the palace. By the 18 century Ireland had around 2000 stills in operation producing Irish whiskey. Presently there are actually only four distilleries in operations: Cooley, Kilbeggan, New Midleton and Old Bushmills. January 2012 Beam Inc., makers of Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, acquired Cooley Distillery, the last independently Irish owned distillery.
View More A Brief History of Irish Whiskey