That's The Spirit

Niamh Walsh

That's the Spirit Every other Wednesday morning, That's the Spirit pulls back the label to reveal the incredible people, places, and stories behind the world of Irish whiskey. From historic legacy houses to the independent craft innovators reshaping the modern industry, we explore the passion, heritage, and unique character poured into every bottle. 📖 What we're pouring: The People: Stories celebrating the brand ambassadors, sales reps, and boots-on-the-ground champions who bring Irish whiskey to the world.The Places: Journeys to the unique landscapes and distilleries that shape each whiskey's character.The Craft: Quick, immersive insights into flavour profiles, production secrets, and local folklore. 🎧 Whether you're a dedicated whiskey enthusiast, work in the drinks industry, or simply love discovering the real stories behind what's in your glass — this podcast is made for you. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and join us one pour at a time. ➡️ Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all listening platforms. Find us on Instagram for even more behind-the-scenes pours! 👉 @niamh_whiskey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. Sep 30

    Dunville's Distillery

    That's the Spirit — Dunville's Every whiskey has a story, but this one starts somewhere you wouldn't expect, behind a bar in Galway, years before whiskey came into it at all. A chance friendship, a name that resurfaces years later at Dunville's, and a brand with one of Irish whiskey's great comeback stories, including an award that speaks for itself. This week's episode is a personal one, about the people, the places, and just how small this industry really turns out to be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Sep 16

    Midleton Distillery

    In this episode of That’s the Spirit, I’m heading to Midleton, home to some of the biggest names in Irish whiskey, including Redbreast, Powers, Midleton Very Rare, Spot and Jameson. But for me, Midleton is also about the people and the memories I’ve picked up along the way. I share some stories from my time in Galway, including Redbreast launches at Sonny Molloy’s, the arrival of a Redbreast 16 single cask, and the time I ended up climbing inside a whiskey barrel. A look at Midleton, the whiskeys it produces, and some of the people and moments that have stayed with me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Sep 3

    Teeling Whiskey

    In this episode of That’s The Spirit, I’m talking about Teeling Whiskey a brand that was a big part of my career for a few years. We talk about Teeling’s history, the whiskeys I spent countless hours pouring, and what it was like looking after the West of Ireland. The long drives, the bars, the people, the good days, the frustrating days, and, somehow, an awful lot of tea. But really, this episode is about the people, the memories, and a chapter of my career that I still look back on very fondly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Aug 19

    The People Behind Irish Whiskey

    Ger Garland: The People Behind Irish Whiskey This week on That’s the Spirit, we’re stepping away from the distillery and meeting one of the people who has helped shape Irish whiskey over the past two decades. From Irish Distillers to Keeper’s Heart in Minneapolis, Ger Garland has built a career around great whiskey, great stories and, most importantly, great people. Now back home in Ireland, Ger is beginning his next chapter at Church of Oak Distillery in County Kildare. We talk about his journey, the people who have influenced him along the way, and what comes next. Sláinte! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Aug 5

    Sliabh Liag Distillers

    Sliabh Liag Distillers: A Taste of Donegal This week on That’s the Spirit, we’re heading to Ardara in Donegal to discover the story of Sliabh Liag Distillers. Founded by James and Moira Doherty, Sliabh Liag is reconnecting Donegal with its distilling heritage, from the smoky whiskey traditions of the past to the new Ardara Distillery shaping its future. We explore The Silkie collection, Sliabh Liag’s distinctive approach to peated Irish whiskey, and the people, landscape and stories behind the spirit. Because sometimes, there’s a little bit of Donegal in the bottle. Sláinte! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jul 22

    Boann Distillery

    Boann Distillery: The Family That Went Digging for the Past Seven generations. One stretch of land on the Boyne. A family that sold one of Ireland's biggest drinks businesses to go and build something smaller and started by digging up recipes nobody had used in 200 years. This episode is the story of Boann Distillery: how the Cooney family brought whiskey-making back to Drogheda after a 160-year gap, why they bet on Single Pot Still, one of the hardest styles to get right and how mash bills recreated from the 1820s ended up shaping proposed EU legislation on the category. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jul 8

    Bushmills Distillery

    In Episode 3 of That's the Spirit, we head north to the Antrim coast, to the banks of the River Bush, and to one of the most iconic names in Irish whiskey. Bushmills. The oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. A place shaped by wind, water, and centuries of patience, where triple-distilled single malt Irish whiskey has been made the same way, on the same site, for generations. But this episode isn't just about a distillery. It's about the people who bring whiskey to life beyond the still house. And one of those people is Seamus Lowry, one of the most respected and quietly influential figures in the Irish whiskey industry. From the iconic Bushmills Original and Black Bush, to the depth and complexity of the 10, 16, and 21 Year Old single malts, we explore what makes Bushmills one of Ireland's most enduring and distinctive whiskey producers. And along the way, a reminder that the best whiskey stories are never really about the bottle. They're about the people behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Jun 24

    Micil Distillery

    What does it take to turn a six-generation poitín tradition into one of Ireland's most celebrated craft distilleries? In Episode 2 of That's the Spirit, we head to Galway to explore the story of Micil Distillery — founded by brothers Pádraic and Jimín Ó Griallais — and how they transformed a once-illicit family craft into Galway's first legal distillery in over a century. We explore the rich history of poitín in the hills of Connemara, the journey from traditional Irish spirits to a growing range of award-winning Irish whiskey, and what it means to honour a family legacy while helping shape the future of Irish craft spirits. If you're passionate about Irish whiskey, craft distilling, or the culture and heritage of the west of Ireland — this one's for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  9. Jun 10

    Dingle Distillery

    Dingle Distillery — Spirit on the Edge of the Atlantic For the first episode of That's the Spirit, we head west to the wild, wind-swept town of Dingle, County Kerry, and the story behind one of Ireland's first truly independent distilleries in generations. Founded in 2012 by the team behind the Porterhouse Brewing Company, Dingle was built small by design — hands-on, craft-led, and answerable to no one but themselves. From the water drawn 240 feet beneath the distillery to the Atlantic mist rolling in off the peninsula, the place itself shapes everything in the glass. We explore the whiskeys, the centuries-old local tradition behind their iconic Wren Boy symbol, and the man who carries the distillery's spirit out into the world — Global Brand Ambassador, Beardy Dave Cummins. Because at Dingle, it was never just about the whiskey. It was always about the people, the place, and the story behind the bottle. Sláinte That's the Spirit is a podcast for those of legal drinking age. Whatever you're pouring, please enjoy it responsibly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • 9 Episodes

About

That's the Spirit Every other Wednesday morning, That's the Spirit pulls back the label to reveal the incredible people, places, and stories behind the world of Irish whiskey. From historic legacy houses to the independent craft innovators reshaping the modern industry, we explore the passion, heritage, and unique character poured into every bottle. 📖 What we're pouring: The People: Stories celebrating the brand ambassadors, sales reps, and boots-on-the-ground champions who bring Irish whiskey to the world.The Places: Journeys to the unique landscapes and distilleries that shape each whiskey's character.The Craft: Quick, immersive insights into flavour profiles, production secrets, and local folklore. 🎧 Whether you're a dedicated whiskey enthusiast, work in the drinks industry, or simply love discovering the real stories behind what's in your glass — this podcast is made for you. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and join us one pour at a time. ➡️ Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all listening platforms. Find us on Instagram for even more behind-the-scenes pours! 👉 @niamh_whiskey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Niamh Walsh
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Niamh Walsh
  • Show Website
    That's The Spirit