Editing Whisky (section)

===Irish===
{{Main|Irish whiskey}}
[[File:IrishWhiskey.jpg|right|thumb|Various Irish whiskeys]]
Irish whiskeys are normally distilled three times, [[Cooley Distillery]] being the exception as they also double distil.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Differences between Scotch and Irish whiskey |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-12549581.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505062751/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-12549581.html |archive-date=5 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Though traditionally distilled using pot stills, the [[column still]] is now used to produce grain whiskey for blends. By law, Irish whiskey must be produced in Ireland and aged in wooden casks for a period of no less than three years, although in practice it is usually three or four times that period.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Ireland |title=Irish Whiskey Act, 1980 |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1980/act/33/enacted/en/print |access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref> [[peat|Unpeated]] malt is almost always used, the main exception being [[Cooley Distillery#Current product range|Connemara]] Peated Malt whiskey. There are several types of whiskey common to Ireland: [[Single malt whisky|single malt]], single grain, [[blended whiskey]] and [[single pot still whiskey]].

Irish whiskey was once the most popular spirit in the world, though a long period of decline from the late 19th century to the late 20th century greatly damaged the industry,<ref name="highspirits">{{Cite news |date=8 November 2013 |title=Distillers in high spirits as the whiskey sector enters golden era |work=www.irishtimes.com |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/agribusiness-and-food/distillers-in-high-spirits-as-the-whiskey-sector-enters-golden-era-1.1587330/ |access-date=8 November 2013}}</ref> so much so that, although Ireland boasted over 30 distilleries in the 1890s, a century later this number had fallen to just three. However, it has seen a great resurgence in popularity since the late twentieth century, and has been the fastest growing spirit in the world every year since 1990.<ref name="highspirits" /> With exports growing by over 15% per annum in recent years, existing distilleries have been expanded and a number of new distilleries constructed. As of mid 2019, Ireland now has 25 operating distilleries, with 24 more either planned or under development.<ref name="IWA1">{{Cite web |last=Association |first=Irish Whiskey |date=11 June 2019 |title=Congratulations to IWA member @DiageoIreland and Head Distiller Lorna Hemy on the commencement of distilling at Roe & Co Distillery. This marks the 25th Irish whiskey distillery to enter operations, with a further 24 in planning or development! #growth #Irishwhiskeypic.twitter.com/fznOkeTUoi |url=https://twitter.com/IrishWhiskeyAsc/status/1138445908562104320 |access-date=13 June 2019 |website=@IrishWhiskeyAsc |language=en}}</ref> However, many of these have not been operating long enough to have products sufficiently aged for sale, and only one was operating prior to 1975.