10 IRISH WHISKEYS FOR ENTHUSIASTS OF EVERY LEVEL
By Sophia DeVito
Who is the typical Irish Whiskey drinker? In the last ten years, Irish Whiskey has exploded, with more drinkers of every age and demographic reaching for a bottle.
Irish whiskey is having a moment. Whether you are Irish, enjoy celebrating March, or a lover of whiskey, one of these should be in your glass this week. The Distilled Spirits Council released that in 2020, there were over five million cases of Irish whiskey sold in the United States.
Here are some of our favorite Irish whiskeys for those just getting into the spirit, and those who have tried almost everything. Sláinte!
Two Stacks
Two Stacks is at the forefront of Irelands Whiskey revival! The brand is creating hand-crafted expressions. The First Cut – Complex Blend is sweet and spicy with a long and satisfying finish. The brand relies on traditional techniques that have made high-quality whiskey for more than 100 years. With each bottle hand-labeled, this is a whiskey to try.
Bushmills
Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey is a classic single malt, lighter grain whiskey, with a rich and smooth taste. The tasting notes consist of vanilla caramel, summer fruit, honey, and oatmeal cookies. The whiskey is matured in both bourbon and sherry casks, giving it a fruity and vanilla finish.
Knappogue Castle
Known for their castle in Ireland, Knappouge has three expressions of their Irish whiskey: 12 years, 14 years, and 16 years. All are aged in bourbon barrels for a rich and complex flavor. The distinctive flavor of this whiskey can’t be beaten.
The Quiet Man
The award-winning craft whiskey is distilled in small batches and matured in bourbon casks for a soft and smooth finish. They are even triple distilled in traditional Irish whiskey pot stills. The premium whiskey was crafted for the modern-day drinker.
Tullamore D.E.W.
The original triple-blend Irish whiskey was first established in 1829. It’s a blend of three different types of Irish whiskey that is so smooth it can be drunk straight or with a splash of water. When it comes to Tullamore D.E.W., there are no rules.
Jameson
The classic Irish whiskey, Jameson is tripled distiller for an unmistakably and smooth flavor. They take the best of pot still and fine grain whiskeys and age the in oak casks for a minimum of four years.
Roe & Co
Decades after the distillery closed, it was reopened in George Roe’s memory to create an Irish whiskey like no other. It’s made from the finest stocks of Irish malt and grain whiskies. The whiskey is aged in bourbon casks for a deep flavor profile.
Teeling Whiskey
At Teeling Whiskey, they do things differently. Their whiskey embodies the unconventional spirit; it’s the perfect spirit to layer flavor and character. The small-batch Irish whiskey is award-winning. It’s aged initially in ex-bourbon barrels and then married in American rum casks for 12 months.
Drumshanbo Irish Whiskey
This amber hued spirit has notes of winter spice, coconut, and dark chocolate. The single pot still whiskey is aged for five years in ex-Kentucky bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks for a creamy and spicy full-bodied whiskey.
Currach Irish Whiskey
This contemporary whiskey is finished in American virgin oak casks that have been charred with Irish seaweed. Currach is the first of its kind, creating a fusion of innovation and tradition. It has notes of Arabic roast coffee with a lightly smoked seaside undertone.