Potheens

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Illicitly distilled or homemade alcoholic spirits, typically associated with traditional Irish moonshine production; unregulated potent beverages that often have a high alcohol concentration and are made in small quantities for private consumption; strong homemade liquor often produced in rural areas without official taxation or quality control
2. Homemade distilled alcohol generally made from potatoes or grain in informal setups; illegal or untaxed spirits known for their high proof and rustic production methods; potent, often raw and unrefined alcoholic drinks created outside legal distilleries for personal or local use
3. Informally crafted strong spirits produced through small-scale distillation without government approval; alcoholic beverages made clandestinely and used socially in certain regions, especially Ireland; uncommercialized moonshine typically containing variable alcohol levels and made with simple ingredients and equipment

Etymology: "Potheens" is simply the plural of "potheen," the Anglicized form of the Irish "poitín," a diminutive of "pota," meaning "pot." The name points to the small copper pot stills that Irish distillers used to make the spirit in hidden places. Because it was made without government licence, the spirit was often produced in remote glens and bogs, and the word carries that sense of illicit homemade liquor.

Synonyms: moonshine, whiskey, hooch, bootleg, spirits