Up until recently, the Irish whiskey section at most liquor stores carried fewer than a handful of bottles made by the country’s biggest brands. After decades of decline—just three distilleries were still producing the spirit in the 1970s—Irish whiskey is now officially back on the rise with a new wave of distilleries that’s bringing more diversity to the category. Fortunately, we’ve had the chance to review a massive selection of these bottles over the past 12 months. Out of the many bottles our reviewers sampled, a select few were handpicked for the Top 100 Spirits list in this year’s Best of Year issue to represent the best in class.
Whether you’re an expert seeking a top bottles or a beginner hoping to explore some budget-friendly picks, we’ve got you covered with just-right bottles—plus a primer on the state of Irish whiskey to wrap up the year.
What Is Irish Whiskey?
Just as Scotch is from Scotland and bourbon is made in the U.S., Irish whiskey is any whiskey that’s made in Ireland. (And yes, in Ireland, whiskey is spelled with an “e.”) That said, Ireland’s namesake spirit is made in a wide variety of styles. Some are lighter-bodied, while others are more robust; others add flavor via peat-smoking or finishing in casks that previously held other spirits, wine or beer. But as long as it’s distilled and aged in the country, it can be labeled as Irish whiskey.
What Is the Appeal of Irish Whiskey?
In general, Irish whiskey is considered particularly versatile and mixable.
While the flavor profiles can vary quite widely, many of Ireland’s best whiskeys are light and approachable, with fresh, fruity or grassy notes. (Again: this isn’t universal. These days, there are plenty of bottlings that display peat, dark fruit or sherry, or tannic, oaky notes, too.)
Many Irish whiskeys are triple-distilled (by comparison, Scotch is distilled twice), which encourages a lighter-bodied spirit—however, not all Irish whiskeys are distilled three times.
Additionally, Irish whiskey tends to be competitively priced compared to its Scotch or American whiskey counterparts.
What Are Some Irish Whiskey Terms I Should Know?
Grain whiskey. This means that the whiskey can include a mashbill of different grains, often wheat but sometimes corn, plus barley. Grain whiskey is made in a large column still, which gives a lighter character.
Malt whiskey. Just as in Scotch whisky, Irish malt whiskey is made with 100% malted barley and cooked in a pot still, which can impart a more robust character. Note: This is different from an Irish single malt, which means it’s made at a single distillery. The “single malt” term is more common to Scotch (and recently, American whiskey, too); in Irish whiskey it’s more of a marketing term meant to draw in Scotch drinkers.
Pot still whiskey. This is a combination of malted barley, unmalted “raw” barley and other grains (but no more than 5% of other grains). It’s also referred to as “single pot still” whiskey.
Blended whiskey. This is a mixture of grain whiskey and either malt whiskey or pot still whiskey—or both. (Note: This is different from Scotch, where a blended whiskey means the liquid is sourced from more than one distillery, or American whiskey, where the term might signal a blend of various barrels or whiskey styles.)
Poitin. Essentially, Irish moonshine. Historically, this was an illicit, usually unaged whiskey made from barley. It often incorporated other ingredients, too, ranging from potatoes to sugar beets. Some commercial versions are now sold in the U.S. Read more about poitin here.
How Do I Drink Irish Whiskey?
A good bottle of Irish whiskey is a pleasure to sip neat or over ice. However, it’s a spirit that’s particularly embraced for mixing into cocktails, including the iconic Irish coffee and classics like the Tipperary. It’s also the go-to spirit for the pickleback: a shot of Irish whiskey chased with pickle juice, beloved in American dive bars. (It’s not to be confused, however, with the pickle shot.) During the colder months you may want to try something new like a mulled cider whiskey cocktail.
While there’s no definitive “best” Irish whiskey for the Irish coffee and other mixed drinks, in general, bartenders recommend using bottlings with a traditional flavor profile (read: fresh and approachable) rather than a peated or extra-aged version.
What’s the Best Glass for Irish Whiskey?
There’s no specific glass for enjoying Irish whiskey, per se, but a rocks glass or another tumbler-style glass (like Wine Enthusiast’s Personalized Rocks Glasses with Frosted Etched Bottoms) to sip whiskey (Irish or otherwise) neat or on the rocks always works.
Some experts prefer a curved Glencairn glass to help maximize aromas while minimizing alcohol fumes (or alternatively, here’s a curved whiskey glass I helped develop with Wine Enthusiast’s catalog team). But the only glassware that’s specific to Irish whiskey cocktails? The footed Irish coffee mug, of course.
Top-Rated Irish Whiskeys
Best Splurge
Bushmills 29 Year Old Rare Cask
The second release in the Rare Casks collectors’ series spent 12 years in bourbon barrels, then another 17 in PX sherry casks. All that barrel time imparts a deep amber hue, and dried fig and toffee aromas. Add plenty of water to take off the tannic edge and open up luxurious deep, dark flavors: dried figs and dates, plum skin, mocha and clove spice. Released in May 2022; limited edition of 500 bottles 97 Points — Kara Newman
$759.99 Total Wine & MoreBest Affordable Bottle (Under $50)
Slane Special Edition Irish Whiskey
Extra-virgin oak is at the heart of this special edition, meaning the wood hasn’t been exhausted of its potential to contribute caramel and spice. It follows through: Look for a bright topaz hue and inviting, concentrated caramel aromas. The palate layers that with inviting tropical fruit and just a hint of campfire smoke, resulting in caramelized pineapple, burnt orange peel, dried fig and toasted coconut, finishing long with black pepper sting. 94 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Total Wine & MoreBest Affordable Runner-Up (Under $50)
Limavady Single Malt Whiskey Single Barrel No. 0040
The mild, grassy aroma has a tinge of green apple. Meanwhile, the palate leads with brown sugar and caramel. A splash of water pulls a deep-toasted grain note forward, finishing with bitter espresso plus cardamom and black pepper heat. A bit of apple-y freshness returns on the complex exhale. 96 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Total Wine & MoreBest for Cocktails
Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey
Sip or mix a first-rate toddy with this classic. Baked apple and pear notes mingle with caramel and a light sprinkle of baking spice, leading into a long but bright finish. The flavor stands up well to dilution, making it a favorite for cocktails. 95 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Total Wine & MoreBest Single Pot Still
Teeling Virgin Chinkapin Oak Irish Whiskey
Chinkapin, a type of North American oak, is the sole wood used to mature this pot-stilled whiskey. Here, it imparts a deep, burnished gold hue and bold, dessert-like aromas and flavors: think dulce de leche, vanilla cookies, spiced cocoa and cinnamon heat. This is the debut expression in the “Wonders of Wood” series in partnership with Tree Council of Ireland. 94 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Total Wine & MoreBest Single Malt
Busker Irish Whiskey Single Malt
Look for an orange-gold hue and bold baked-apple notes on the nose and palate, accompanied by orange peel and honey-drizzled walnuts. Adding water lightens the texture, with mild cocoa, smoke and cinnamon tingling on the exhale. 93 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Wine.comBest Barrel-Finished
Egan’s Conviction Irish Whiskey Aged 10 Years
This is a blend of single grain and single malt whiskies, each aged at least 10 years and finished in XO Cognac cask. The end result is a dark-gold hue and almond aromas. Look for palate-coating honey, golden raisin and dried-apricot flavors shot through with cigar smoke and espresso. Overall, the effect is rich and luxe. 93 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Total Wine & MoreBest Budget Barrel-Finished (Under $50)
McConnell’s Irish Whisky Sherry Cask Finish
Concentrated caramel leads the nose and palate. Hints of dark chocolate and espresso balance it out, finishing with cayenne pepper tingle. This is a five-year-old whiskey finished in oloroso sherry casks. 92 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Total Wine & MoreWhy You Should Trust Us
All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
Published: November 11, 2022
