Whiskey.. thank you clergy!

Celtic Monks enjoying the "water of life"

So we really have the monks to thank for spirits, dare I say a kind of holy spirit? I often giggle that you have to drink when you're Catholic. But did these inspired monks get bored and enjoy the "water of life" in both preparation and in partaking,  OR were they using the distillation process for medicinal purposes.  I know where I'd put my money! Come on really!

It is widely believed that the Arabs invented the original distillation process to strip oils from plants to create perfumes somewhere around 500AD.  But it was the Celtic Monks who encountered the distillation process from the Spanish Moors somewhere in 700 and used distillation to produce alcohol. These traveling Celtic distillers then took the process to Europe.  Local available components were used when to produce many of the great spirits we see today.  Grapes in France, barley in Ireland. You get the idea!

Knappogue Castle 12 yr Single Malt Irish whiskey

So in keeping with our religious tradition we like to explore Celtic spirits at The Celtic Ranch.  We sell over 30 kinds of Irish Whiskey for many tastes and pocketbooks.  I generally feel a little bit of heaven when I take a sip of the Knappogue Castle 12 yearr single malt Irish Whiskey.  Thank you Father Charles, you and your religious forebears of this gift of spirits.