Throughout the 16th and 17th Centuries, almost every sizeable farm had its own personal distillery, and by 1661, poitín became so endemic that it was deemed illegal by the British Crown in an attempt to control its untaxable spread. It wouldn't be re-legalised until 1997, but despite the legislation, people have continued to secretly distil poitín in hidden stills to avoid taxation. The drink is now a symbol of Irish culture and determination, and when celebrating St Patrick's Day, perhaps no other drink better encapsulates Ireland's heritage and identity than this ancient spirit.