This weekend on Documentary On Newstalk, producer Brian Kenny explores the history, heritage and global influence of Irish whiskey in Uisce beatha "Water Of Life"

This is not a story just about whiskey but one about identity, emigration, politics and life told through the water of life itself!

The fact that the word whiskey comes from the Irish word uisce speaks volumes about the history our nation has with this world-famous beverage. However, it’s not as straightforward as the method of production being invented and the brand growing, the story of whiskey is one entangled in politics and history with twists and turns at every corner. 

It’s a story that goes as far back as Irish monks in 1000 AD, about a drink that ruled the world from its dominant distilleries in Dublin before it all came crashing down. As Irish whiskey died off Scotch took the reins, Japanese whiskey followed and it looked likely that Irish Whiskey would be lost forever to the history books. 

Out of the ashes a few key players began a rebuild and decades later Irish whiskey has made a dramatic comeback. This documentary tells the story of how it all started, how it almost ended and poses the question on its future. 

We hear from distillers, businessmen, publicans and historians from Dublin to Cork to Scotland’s Highlands to unpack the story of Whiskey, Uisce Beatha, the Water of Life. 

Produced and edited by Brian Kenny (www.kennysound.com) for Newstalk with the assistance of the BAIs Sound and Vision Scheme. 

Water of Life will air on Sunday April 3rd at 7am, repeated on Newstalk on Saturday April 9th at 11pm and will be available as a podcast.