A Story of Irish Whiskey

A Story of Irish Whiskey from Irish Distillers Season 1: A Story Of Irish Whiskey How three families saved it from extinction. A five-part series brought to you by Irish Distillers on the rise, fall and rise again of Irish whiskey on the world stage. Tracing the story of Irish whiskey's meteoric rise in the 1800s to its fall in the aftermath of revolution and wars in the 20th century to finally its renaissance in the 21st. With a cast of colourful, innovative and fearless characters from the three main Irish whiskey families - the Jamesons, Powers and Murphys - experience this story of Irish whiskey as never before. Season 2: Tasting Club Irish Distillers Tasting Club a six-part series for whiskey lovers. Over the series we’ll meet true masters of their crafts from Midleton Distillery. From flavours and aromas, to cask selection and the wonderful stories behind each product, we will share insights into how Irish Distillers create some of the world’s most enjoyed Irish whiskeys. Season 3 - A Perfect Blend A Perfect Blend is a new Irish whiskey podcast mini-series that shines a light on the remarkable partnerships at the heart of our craft. Our guests will reveal the secrets to their art as we delve into what motivates and inspires them. In each episode, people with a shared passion from the world of whiskey come together to talk about the journey that lead them to becoming masters in their field. Join us as they celebrate their calling, their craft and the power of collaboration. Brought to you by Irish Distillers. Season 4 - A Story of Irish Whiskey - Bonus - The Making of a Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman took up the baton as Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery in July 2020. This special episode of A Story of Irish Whiskey retraces Kevin’s journey to Master Distiller. Beginning with his experiences of growing up on a farm in Co. Cork to his first impressions when he walked through the doors in Midleton in 1998, Kevin reflects on the moments and memories that have shaped him and brought him to where he is today. Season 5 – Community Spirit Community Spirit is a new three-part series from Irish Distillers that shines a light on the communities the company is proud to be part of. From Midleton in Co. Cork to Dublin’s inner city, we hear from the founders of three remarkable community groups who all go above and beyond to make a real difference. In the series, we meet Proinsias Ó’Tuama of Clean Coasts Ballynamona, Evanne Kilmurray of Inner City Enterprise and Kevin Aherne of fEast Cork as they share stories of how their respective passions for the environment, helping others and supporting local producers helped spark collective movements that deliver positive impact within their locality and beyond.

Episodes

S1: Trailer: A Story of Irish Whiskey

May 14, 2019 • 59 secs

Every family has ‘secrets’.

And family dynasties surely have more secrets than most.

How exactly does generation after generation seemingly have the Midas touch, conquering markets around the globe from the US to China? But then you find yourself in a crisis.…..

This is the story of three families who found themselves in this position…

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S1 Ep1: The Meeting of the Families

May 22, 2019 • 17 mins

The year was 1966 and Irish whiskey was on its knees, about to go out of business after nearly two hundred years of economic and cultural success.

In one last roll of the dice the three main whiskey families – Jameson, Powers and Murphys – came together to see if their family legacies could be saved, by joining forces after centuries of rivalry.

A Story of Irish Whiskey: How three f...

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S1 Ep2: Kings of the World

May 22, 2019 • 15 mins

In the 1800s, Irish Whiskey was the whiskey of choice around the globe with Irish distillers controlling about 70% of the world market.

The Chicago World Trade Fair in 1893 was the high point with a 30-foot round tower made entirely of Powers whiskey bottles epitomising the ambition, scope and standing of Irish whiskey on the world stage.

Innovation and individuality singled them out...

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S1 Ep3: Revolution & War

May 22, 2019 • 14 mins

First came war, then revolution, quickly followed by Prohibition and economic trade wars, all outside of their control.

Having once conquered the world, the fall, when it came, was swift, and by the middle of the 20th century, Irish whiskey was on its knees.

To save themselves and Irish whiskey, the Jameson, Powers and Murphy whiskey families had to come together in a last bid for su...

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S1 Ep4: Dublin and Cork Rivalries

May 22, 2019 • 20 mins

As the Irish whiskey families met in 1966 in Tourin House, Co. Waterford, to discuss a merger, suspicions between the Dublin and Cork rivals proved difficult to reconcile.

Norbert Murphy was the patriarch of the Cork Distilleries Company who was wary of the motives of the Jamesons and Powers up in Dublin.

The rivalry was century’s old, heightened when the Dublin whiskey companies l...

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S1 Ep5: Renaissance

May 22, 2019 • 19 mins

Coming together might have saved Irish whiskey, for now, but despite huge re-investment, it was still struggling to make an impact once again around the world.

Fending off hostile take-overs, it needed to grow quickly or Irish whiskey as a product would soon disappear.

Pernod-Ricard’s welcome take-over in 1988 offered a game-changing platform to the world and the Irish whiskey renais...

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S1 Ep6: Bonus Ep: The Punishment Book

May 22, 2019 • 13 mins

In this special bonus episode, buried in the Irish Distillers’ archives, the secrets of the ‘Punishment Book’ are revealed.

Find out how the workers’ perk of daily grog could be stopped – a punishment that no worker would want to suffer – and why the colossal mistake made by one worker, Bill Scully, had serious consequences for the distillery.

A Story of Irish Whiskey: How three fam...

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S1 Ep7: A Story of Irish Whiskey: Launch Night Exclusive

November 19, 2019 • 29 mins

This additional episode gives insider access to the launch of A Story of Irish Whiskey. Recorded live in Dublin city centre, you will hear first-hand accounts from our craftspeople and guests in conversation with the producer, as they reflect on the history of Irish Distillers over the decades and how it now lives on as a podcast.

A Story of Irish Whiskey: Launch Night Exclusive

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