The Pogues are a band of mixed Irish and English background, playing traditional Irish music with influences from punk rock, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. They reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s, until MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems. They continued with first Joe Strummer and then Spider Stacy on vocals before breaking up in 1996. The band began performing together again in 2001, though they have yet to record new music.
Their politically-tinged music was influenced by The Clash, yet used traditional Irish instruments such as the tin whistle, banjo, cittern, mandolin, accordion, and others. In the later incarnations of the band, after the departure of Shane MacGowan, rock instruments such as the electric guitar would become more prominent.
In launching the Irish Whiskey here in Australia West Cork Distillers said “[The Pogues] share many of the same values as our company such as an independent spirit, a slightly unorthodox approach and a commitment to quality, as well as success on the international stage.”
Of course, the other thing the Pogues share with the distillers is an interest in whiskey. One of their more well known songs is Streams of Whiskey, in fact the song is printed on the bottle!
The new whiskey, launched in Australia in 2016, is a blend of grain and 50 per cent single malt Irish whiskey making it Ireland’s highest malt-containing blended Irish whiskey — something that The Pogues will undoubtedly approve of.
The blend has an aroma of malt, cracked nuts, almond and a slight sweetness and its smooth intensity delivers a palate that is malty and floral with a mild chocolate taste and lingering citrus.
It’s targeted at a younger target audience of 25 to 35-year-olds, with a bottle selling for around $60.
Many Irish Whiskies have been name after famous places and famous people, but the new Pogues label appears to be the first time a Irish Whiskey brand has been named after an entire band.
Buy Pogues Irish Whiskey Australia.