Crossword Genius

Drinking Irish double whiskey? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spirit

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'whiskey?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'drinking irish double' is the wordplay.
'drinking' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are consumed or drunk).
'irish' becomes 'IR' (abbreviation for Irish).
'double' becomes 'spit' (as in a 'spitting image').
'ir' placed within 'spit' is 'SPIRIT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spirit that I've seen before include "Ghost or animation" , "Courage, energy" , "Liveliness - hard liquor" , "Strong distilled alcohol" , "Supernatural being without a body" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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