National symbols of Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with Jameson Irish Whiskey and Tullamore Dew the main whiskey brands. Poitín, made from potatoes and with an alcohol content of up to 90% ABV, is the traditional Irish moonshine, brewed illegally since 1661, when a duty was placed on whiskey and other spirits were made illegal. According to one guidebook, ""If you see a product labelled "poteen" in an airport or a bar, it's simply a white duty-paid Irish schnapps. By definition, poteen is illegal and can't be sold."" Stout, a dark beer made using roasted oats or barley, is the national beer, with Guinness heavily promoted as a
Powers (whiskey) Powers (whiskey) Powers is a brand of Irish whiskey. Historically a single pot still whiskey, the flagship "Powers Gold Label" brand was the first Irish whiskey ever to be bottled. In recent years, several single pot still variants have been relaunched under the Powers label. Historically, Powers Gold Label was the best selling whiskey in Ireland, and as of 2006 still is. In 1791 James Power, an innkeeper from Dublin, established a small distillery at his public house at 109 Thomas St., Dublin. The distillery, which had an output of about 6,000 gallons in its first year of operation, initially