Unencumbered by the myriad region-specific intricacies of Scotch whisky and unshackled by the demand-and-supply issues faced by Japanese whisky, Irish whiskey (with an ‘e’!) is readily available, affordable, easy drinking, and, most importantly, delicious. In fact, from the mid- to late-1800s, Ireland was the most prolific whiskey producing nation, before being usurped by Scotland. To that end, at one point, the Scots were consuming more Irish whiskey than Scotch whisky.
While a combination of economic factors — including the Irish War of Independence, the Prohibition era in the United States, and the Anglo-Irish Trade War — significantly curtailled the Irish whiskey industry, it’s making a comeback. In 2010, there were just four whiskey distilleries on the island of Ireland. As of 2022, there are 42 distilleries in operation. One of the fastest growing spirits markets, the best Irish whiskey brands are changing perceptions of the liquid.
Compared to their Scotch counterparts, Irish whiskeys are known for being lighter and more approachable, devoid of the peaty, smokey, and overly oaky notes often present in the former. Known for its smooth mouthfeel and delicate flavours, Irish whiskey makes for a satisfying alternative to the bold, full-bodied character of Scotch or even the ideal foray into the world of whisk(e)y.
The best Irish whiskey brands in 2024
From heritage stalwarts to innovative new producers, these are the best Irish whiskeys to try.
1. Redbreast
The Redbreast story dates back to the mid-1800s, however the name itself did not appear until 1912. At the time, the brand’s Irish whiskey was distributed by Gibley’s Castle, with the name as we know now it referring to the robin redbreast; an ode to the company chairman’s love of bird-watching.
Known for its pot still expressions, Redbreast is one of the names at the forefront of the Irish whiskey industry — and the name on the tip of many a whiskey lover’s tongue. Staying true to Irish whiskey traditions, Redbreast is considered the archetypal expression of pot still whiskey.
The Redbreast 12-Year-Old is the brand’s flagship expression, aged in American oak and Spanish oloroso sherry casks and defined by fruity, spicy, and sherried notes. For an undeniably special offering, the 27-Year-Old sees pot still whiskeys triple distilled and matured in fine bourbon, sherry, and ruby port casks for a minimum of 27 years. The resultant liquid is deep red and boasts notes that befit its maturation process; with ripe stone fruit, black cherries, and summer berries attenuated with a touch of chilli oil and tempered with vanilla, cinnamon, and toasted oak.
Established in: 1912
Location: Midleton, County Cork
Notable expressions: 12-Year-Old
2. Jameson
Often the brand people think of when they hear the words ‘Irish whiskey’, Jameson is one of the most recognisable whisk(e)y brands in the world. Founded in Dublin in 1780 by John Jameson, the original Bow Street distillery is still in operation to this day, alongside the brand’s Midleton Distillery in Cork, home to the world’s largest pot still.
The original Jameson Irish Whiskey is a quintessential expression of Irish whiskey making; blended pot still and fine grain whiskeys triple distilled and aged in oak for a minimum of four years. Smooth and easy to drink with notes of vanilla, spices, and sherry, it’s a decidedly traditional bottle.
That’s not to say Jameson doesn’t have more atypical releases. For something different, look to the brand’s Black Barrel which is aged in charred barrels which impart toasty, nutty notes, or the Cold Brew which sees the brand’s smooth whiskey meet the richness of Arabica coffee.
Founder: John Jameson
Established in: 1780
Location: Dublin
Notable expressions: Irish Whiskey, Black Barrel
3. Bushmills
The oldest licensed distillery in the world, what is now The Old Bushmills Distillery was granted its licence in 1608 and has been making whiskey for over 400 years (however, the company itself was not established until 1784 by Hugh Anderson). While an imposition of a tax on malted barley in the late 1700s and early 1800s caused many Irish distillers to transition to using unmalted barley or other grains in their mash bill (known as pot still whiskey), Bushmills remained steadfast in its commitment to using malted barley in its single malt whiskey.
Aged in Spanish oloroso sherry and American bourbon casks before being transferred to Madeira casks, the Bushmills 12-Year-Old is widely considered one of the best Irish single malt whiskeys. Characterised by its depth and complexity, it features notes of dried fruits, dark chocolate, and malt, with a satisfyingly long finish. The distillery’s private reserve and rare cask expressions are also worth a look in, as is the Bushmills Prohibition Recipe; a release in collaboration with Peaky Blinders.
Founder: Hugh Anderson
Established in: 1784 (whiskey license granted in 1608)
Location: County Antrim
Notable expressions: 12-Year-Old, 21-Year-Old, Prohibition Recipe, Original Irish Whiskey
4. Teeling
Dublin’s newest distillery in over a century, the Teeling Whiskey Distillery opened its doors in 2015. Founded by Jack and Stephen Teeling, whiskey runs in the Teeling family’s blood — in 1782, Walter Teeling opened his first small-scale distillery on the same street the current operation sits on.
Teeling is known for its Small Batch Irish Whiskey, which adds nuance through unconventional cask maturation techniques. Aged in bourbon barrels before being finished in rum casks, it features a vibrant flavour profile of vanilla and oak from the former and dried fruits and nuts from the latter. Its unconventional collection offers something a tad different, with its Blackpitts Single Malt Peated Whiskey triple distilled to reduce the medicinal character sometimes found in peated Scotch whiskies and matured in bourbon and Sauternes white wine casks, the latter imparting deep fruit notes which complements its smokey profile.
Founders: Jack and Stephen Teeling
Established in: 2015
Location: Dublin
Notable expressions: Small Batch Irish Whiskey, 37-Year-Old Vintage, Blackpitts
5. Glendalough
Founded by a group of friends in 2011, craft distillery Glendalough draws inspiration from its majestic surroundings in the Wicklow mountains. The first Irish whiskey brand to use Japanese mizunara oak in its maturation process, the Glendalough 7-Year-Old Single Malt Mizunara Cask Finish combines the delicate mouthfeel and smooth quality of Irish whiskey with the dark chocolate, sandalwood, and orange notes imparted by the mizunara oak.
Founders: Barry Gallagher, Brian Fagan, Gary McLoughlin, Kevin Keenan
Established in: 2011
Location: Wicklow
Notable expressions: 7-Year-Old Single Malt Mizunara Cask Finish, Single Grain Madeira Cask Finish
6. Spot Whiskey
Alongside Jameson and Redbreast, the Spot Whiskey lineup also produced at the Midleton Distillery in County Cork. Sold by family-owned Mitchell & Son., the Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a non-age statement comprising pot still whiskeys aged between seven and ten years in bourbon and sherry casks. A delicate, mellow whiskey, it features nots of green apple, toasted oak, and spices on the palate. While Spot Whiskey’s Green Spot marries affordability with enjoyability, there’s also Blue Spot, Yellow Spot, Red Spot, and Gold Spot expressions to explore, each experimenting with different cask maturation styles.
Established in: 1805
Location: Midleton, County Cork
Notable expressions: Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
7. Writers Tears
Founded by Walsh Whiskey, the somewhat whimsically named Writers Tears draws inspiration from the nation’s Golden Era of novelists, playwrights, and poets. Looking to homegrown literary greats like Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Lady Gregory, and James Joyce — many of whom found solace in a dram from their local public house — Writer’s Tears whiskeys are produced from a master blend of pot still and malt whiskeys. The brand’s Copper Pot release unites aged single pot still and single malt Irish whiskey; triple distilled from malted and unmalted barley and aged in charred American bourbon casks, it’s a deliciously smooth, sweet dram with notes of fruits, spices, and vanilla on the palate. An exemplary expression of historial Irish whiskey making tradition.
Founders: Bernard and Rosemary Walsh
Established in: 1999
Location: Carlow
Notable expressions: Copper Pot, Japanese Cask
8. The Irishman
Another brand from Walsh Whiskey, The Irishman champions single malts, both in blended and pure form. The brand’s flagship Single Malt is distilled trice and aged in American bourbon oak and Olossoro sherry casks, resulting in a rich, sweet liquid with notes of candied fruit and fig. Alternatively, the Single Malt Caribbean Cask Finish features notes of tropical fruits, rum, and spices.
Founders: Bernard and Rosemary Walsh
Established in: 1999
Location: Carlow
Notable expressions: Single Malt, Single Malt Caribbean Cask Finish, Cask Strength
9. West Cork
Independent distillery West Cork has come a long way in just two decades. Founded in the back room of one of its owners, as of 2014 West Cork operates out of a distillery in Skibbereen, County Cork and produces over 2000 bottles of whiskey an hour. Taking a more contemporary approach to whiskey making, West Cork employs chemistry-based techniques such as gas chromatography and reverse osmosis to create whiskeys with a pure, smooth taste. The brand’s Irish Stout Cask Matured Blended Irish Whiskey is aged in bourbon casks and finished in casks that once held Black’s of Kinsale Stout, lending it a warm, sweet palate of dark chocolate, coffee, and vanilla.
Founders: Denis and Ger McCarthy, John O’Connell
Established in: 2003
Location: Skibbereen, County Cork
Notable expressions: Irish Stout Cask Matured Blended Irish Whiskey, West Cork Original Whiskey
10. Midleton
Home to the likes of Redbreast, Green Spot, and Jameson, Midleton Distillery also offers its own limited-edition rare releases. The Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy pays homage to the legendary master distiller for which it’s named. Aged in American oak, it features citrusy notes of lime and mandarin orange, tempered with cinnamon, vanilla, and oak.
Founders: James, Daniel, and Jeremiah Murphy
Established in: 1825
Location: Midleton, County Cork
Notable expressions: Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy, Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais
11. Powers
The first Irish whiskey to be bottled — and once the country’s best-selling whiskey — Powers was founded by John Powers in Dublin in 1791 and has been in operation for over two centuries. Since 1975, the brand has operated out of the same iconic Midleton distillery responsible for the likes of Jameson, Redbreast, and Spot Whiskeys. The John’s Lane 12-Year-Old is a tribute to the brand’s founder and original distillery in Dublin, which was famous for its pot still whiskeys. Matured in American bourbon and Spanish oloroso sherry casks, this smooth full-bodied expression boasts notes of spices, vanilla, toffee, and dried fruits.
Founders: James Power
Established in: 1791
Location: Midleton, County Cork
Notable expressions: Gold Label, John’s Lane
12. Hyde
The Hyde family has been ageing and finishing whiskey for over twelve generations. This venture from the latest generation of whiskey makers sees whiskey sourced from the finest Irish distilleries matured and finished in vintage oaks casks sourced from around the world. The Hyde No. 1 President’s Cask 10-Year-Old is finished in Spanish oloroso sherry casks, resulting in a smooth yet nuanced expression laden with notes of caramel, honey, stone fruits, and malt.
Founders: Conor and Alan Hyde
Established in: 2014
Location: County Cork
Notable expressions: No. 1 President’s Cask 10-Year-Old Sherry Cask Finish, No. 2 President’s Cask 10-Year-Old Rum Cask Finish
13. Celtic Cask
Courtesy of one of the most renowned whisk(e)y retailers in the world, The Celtic Whiskey Shop in Dublin was founded in 2003 by Scotsman Ally Alpine. The Celtic Cask line was born in 2010, selecting some of the most premium whiskeys from around the country and finishing them in exotic wine casks from across the globe. Sitting at the pointy end of this list, Celtic Cask releases are decidedly luxurious, all priced well above the $150AUD mark.
Founder: Ally Alpine
Established in: 2010
Location: Dublin
Notable expressions: Cuig Deag, Aon Deag
14. Knappogue Castle
Ireland’s historic Knappogue Castle was in a destitute state before Mark Edwin Andrews purchased and restored it in 1966. An avid Irish whiskey collector, Andrews began privately bottling and selling his collection under the name Knappogue Castle 1951. In 1998, his son Mark Edwin Andrews III made Knappogue Castle available to the public. Today, it’s known for its 12-, 14-, and 16-Year-Old single malt age statements; the latter two of which are aged in both bourbon and oloroso sherry casks.
Founder: Mark Edwin Andrews
Established in: 1966
Location: County Clare
Notable expressions: 12-Year-Old, 14-Year-Old, 16-Year-Old
15. Connemara
Proving the Irish can compeat with the best of them, Connemara whiskeys combine the best of both worlds. Distilled in copper stills and aged in bourbon casks, the smoothness and delicate mouthfeel of traditional Irish whiskey is suffused with subtle smokiness and sweetness courtesy of the quintessential Scottish technique in the brand’s flagship Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey.
Founders: John Teeling
Established in: 1987
Location: County Louth
Notable expressions: Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
What is Irish whiskey?
The whisk(e)y industry is a fairly heavily regulated one, with each whisk(e)y producing nation having its own idiosyncratic rules. The regulations for Irish whiskey are stipulated in the Irish Whiskey Act (1980) set forth by the Irish Whiskey Association. To be classed as Irish whiskey, the following guidelines must be met:
- It must be produced, distilled, and reach maturity in a distillery located within the island of Ireland (inclusive of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland).
- It must be matured for a minimum of three years, in a wooden cask (e.g. oak) not exceeding a capacity of 700 litres.
- The spirit must be made from cereals and water, with the grains used determining the type of whiskey made. Grains used can include malted or unmalted barley, oats, wheat, rye, and corn.
- Caramel colouring may be added.
Types of Irish whiskey
Irish whiskey can be broken down into four types.
- Pot still: a blend of both malted and unmalted barley distilled in a pot still.
- Single malt: made exclusively from malted barley by a single distillery in pot stills.
- Single grain: made from a variety of grains (including oats, corn, wheat, rye, and barley) and distilled in a column or Coffey still at a single distillery.
- Blended: comprising any or all of the above types of whiskey.
Scotch whisky vs. Irish whiskey
Differing in more than just spelling, Irish whiskey stands apart from Scotch whisky in both its production processes and taste. While Scotch whisky begins with entirely unmalted barley, Irish whiskey typically comprises both malted and unmalted barley. While the former is usually twice distilled, Irish whisky is distilled three times. Finally, peat is less common in Irish whiskeys than in Scotch, with Irish whiskey tending to boast a smoother, more delicate mouthfeel with a less earthy character than its Scotch counterparts. That said, some Irish whiskeys — such as Connemara — boast a character more akin to Scotch, and vice versa.
Alternatives to Irish whiskey
Sipped them all already? Try these.
FAQ
The best Irish whiskey brands include Redbreast, Celtic Cask, Spot Whiskey, West Cork, and Jamesons.
The best Irish whiskeys aren’t always the most expensive. Approachable and affordable bottles can be found from brands like Jamesons, Green Spot, The Sexton, Bushmills, Paddy, Tullamore DEW, Dubliner, and Black Bush.
The best top-shelf Irish whiskeys come courtesy of Teeling, Glendalough, and Redbreast.
Words by Henry Blake
