Michael Collins (the man, that is to say - more on the whiskey itself later) is something of an Irish legend. Known as "The Big Fellow," and "The Man On The Bike," Collins was an Irish patriot and revolutionary that rose to power and notoriety during the early part of the twentieth century as a participant in first the Easter Rising, and then later in the Irish Civil War as a leader of the Pro-Treaty Irish Republican Army. Collins earned his nicknames thanks to his stature and to his habit of riding a bicycle as his primary mode of transportation, dressed as a businessman, in order to hide in plain sight while still conducting his subversive affairs.

Born the son of a farmer, Collins was said to be instilled with a great sense of pride and nationalism from a very young age, and was even the subject of a death bed prophecy by his father:

"One day he'll be a great man. He'll do great work for Ireland."

The subject of numerous historical profiles and portrayals (most notably by Liam Neeson in Neil Jordan's 1996 film named, aptly, Michael Collins) - Collins has ascended to heroic status in the time since his death in a gunfight with opposing forces in 1922.

To this day, Collins' image - the most famous photograph of the man portraying him dressed formally and astride a bicycle - as well as his legend survive as symbols for Irish heritage and independence. So it should come as no surprise that his iconic name and likeness have been used as the name and logo for Ireland's independent, heritage-conscious Michael Collins Irish whiskey. After all, every hero needs their legend preserved, and what better preservation for an Irish hero than a bottle of whiskey? Of course, it's a credit and a testament to its namesake that Michael Collins whiskey is also an excellent beverage deserving of its legendary name.

Produced by the Cooley Distillery, Ireland's very last world renowned, award-winning, independent distillery, Michael Collins Irish Whiskey is a spirit that not only takes pride in, but also thrives on its heritage. Distilled from locally-sourced ingredients, Collins is an Irish whiskey original: using local spring water and locally grown barley which is then malted in the traditional way, Collins is double-, rather than triple-distilled in a pot still, utilizing longer distillation time than most other Irish whiskeys, and then aged for three years in small bourbon-seasoned oak casks.

Now, it's true that the vast majority of Irish whiskeys (nearly all, in fact - save for those produced by Cooley Distillery) are produced using a triple distillation technique that has been in use for many years; however, there is no actual law that states that in order to be considered (and therefore named) genuinely Irish, a whiskey must be distilled three times.

In fact, the people at Cooley take pride in their unique double-distillation methods. Double distillation is said to be beneficial to the whiskey itself, allowing the spirit to retain much of the flavor and character of its natural ingredients. Triple distillation, while certainly more commonly used by much larger (and much less independent distilleries), is said to in fact decrease the individual flavors of the whiskey.

However, it's not simply the double distillation that makes Collins unique.

Employing a Master Blender to help create and preserve the distinctive character and flavor of Michael Collins Irish Whiskey, Cooley Distillery has released Collins whiskey in two separate profiles: Michael Collins Blended and Michael Collins Single Malt.

The Blended, a blend of malt whiskeys and grain whiskeys, varying in age anywhere from four to twelve years, is certainly an aromatic whiskey - featuring aromas of citrus and honey which give the whiskey itself a crisp, light taste that's somewhat sweet but not painfully so. Ideal for mixing and sipping alike, Michael Collins Blended is really what people expect when they order or buy a bottle of Irish whiskey - it's light, flavorful and complex.

However, the Michael Collins Single Malt is really where the magic happens. In a move completely unique to Irish whiskey producers, the fine people at Cooley have taken a page from the Scotch whisky distilling handbook and lightly peated their Michael Collins Single Malt. This lends the whiskey a slightly smoky aroma and flavor without compromising any of the Single Malt's distinct sweetness or warmth. While a bit more expensive than a bottle of the Blended, the Single Malt is well worth the investment.

With two such delicious spirits bearing his name, and both hailing from Ireland's very last independently owned and run distillery, The Man On The Bike would be proud to see his name carried on in such a quality fashion. It's just a shame that Collins can't enjoy a drink with the rest of us - so why not toast one or two to the Big Fellow's memory and take a few moments to consider what it truly takes to be legendary? That, like Michael Collins Irish Whiskey, is a tribute any hero could respect.