Irish whiskey’s renaissance over the past decade has been remarkable. Once dominated by just a handful of distilleries, it has transformed into one of the fastest-growing premium spirits in the world.
But this isn't just a tipple reserved for Saint Patrick's Day – here's why you should look beyond the familiar Scotch landscape and delve into Irish whiskey's distinctive character, rich heritage, and impressive range of expressions.
The Rich History of Irish Whiskey
The Irish claim to have been distilling whiskey long before their Scottish neighbours. Records date back as early as the 12th century, when Irish monks would return from the Mediterranean with distillation knowledge. They applied these techniques to fermented grain mash rather than wine, creating what they called "uisce beatha" (water of life) in Gaelic – eventually anglicised as whiskey.
By the late 1700s, Ireland boasted over 1200 distilleries (many unlicensed). Dublin's Golden Triangle became the home of whiskey production, with distilleries like John Jameson and George Roe producing millions of gallons annually.
But catastrophe struck in the 20th century when Ireland's independence from Britain cut off major markets. The industry was further affected by American Prohibition, the rise of blended Scotch, and the Irish industry's resistance to new production methods. What had once been the world's dominant whiskey industry had withered to just three distilleries: New Midleton (Jameson), Bushmills, and Cooley.
Irish whiskey wouldn't begin to recover until the late 1980s, when the remaining producers consolidated under Irish Distillers (later Pernod Ricard). Jameson, in particular, became a global success story thanks to accessible flavours that appealed to beginner whiskey drinkers.
The real comeback began around 2010 with the emergence of new independent distilleries like Teeling, Dublin Liberties, and Dingle. And, by 2023, Ireland had over 40 working distilleries.
Fun fact: Irish producers spell "whiskey" with an "e," while Scottish distilleries (and us!) use "whisky." This is a 19th century distinction that stuck, as Irish producers wanted to separate their premium product from what they considered inferior Scottish whisky.
What Makes Irish Whiskey Unique?
Although there are a few exceptions, most Irish whiskey undergoes triple distillation – compared to Scotch's double distillation process. This additional step creates the iconic lightness and accessibility that Irish whiskey is famous for. We love that it's approachable without sacrificing complexity.
Unlike many Scotch whiskies, traditional Irish whiskey production typically uses unpeated malted barley. This creates a more delicate spirit that emphasises the natural grain flavours, orchard fruits, and wood influences. There are peated Irish whiskeys available (from the likes of Connemara), but they're less common to find.
Another distinctive feature of Irish whiskey is the Single Pot Still style. This method uses a mixture of malted and unmalted barley in the mash bill and initially evolved as a cheeky tax-dodging measure in the 18th century. The unmalted barley creates a distinctive spicy character and creamy mouthfeel, most obvious in whiskey like Redbreast and Green Spot.
Top Irish Distilleries
Midleton Distillery is the name behind many of Ireland's most recognised whiskey brands – including Jameson, Powers, Redbreast, and Green Spot. This massive facility in the Cork countryside utilises traditional copper pots and modern column stills. The result? A diverse range of masterful Irish whiskey that graces the shelves of whiskey lovers around the world.
Old Bushmills claims to be the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, dating back to 1608 (when it received its original licence to distil). Specialising primarily in single malts, Bushmills produces exceptionally balanced whiskeys with a honeyed character and delicate fruit notes.
Cooley broke the monopoly held by Irish Distillers when it was founded in 1987 by John Teeling. Cooley produces both peated and unpeated whiskeys, including the double-distilled Connemara peated single malt (a rarity in Irish whiskey) and the Kilbeggan and Tyrconnell brands.
Teeling was Dublin’s first new distillery in over 125 years when it opened in 2015. The Teeling family (yes, the very family who established Cooley Distillery) is known for their innovative whiskeys, often finished in unexpected casks like Cabernet Sauvignon and Portuguese red wine.
Building Your Irish Whiskey Collection: Top Picks
Navigating the world of Irish whiskey doesn’t need to be difficult. Here are The Whisky Stock’s top picks:
Redbrest 12 Year Old Single Pot Whiskey: An excellent starting point if you’re looking to get into Irish whiskey. This single pot expression is full-bodied with a creamy texture, plus notes of stewed fruits, Christmas cake, and warming spices. Excellent balance of sherry and bourbon cask influences. A benchmark Irish whiskey offering tremendous value.
Redbrest 18 Year Old Single Pot Whiskey: The extra years of aging give this whiskey an exceptional complexity. Think autumn fruits, chocolate, and honey-glazed oak with perfectly integrated spices and sherry influence. Although beginners might find this expression too rich, this is the pinnacle of traditional Irish pot still whiskey.
Jameson Crested Triple Distilled Whiskey: This is Jameson’s signature style, elevated. Previously known as Crested Ten, this whiskey is made with a blend of pot still and grain whiskeys. The extra sherry cask maturation imparts warm spices, vivid sherry notes, and nutty complexity.
Teeling Small Batch Blended Whiskey: For a more innovative expression, this Dublin whiskey is finished in ex-rum casks. Flavour-wise, expect vanilla and warm spice with tropical fruit notes and subtle sweetness – an exceptionally smooth and all too drinkable profile.
Glendalough Pot Still Virgin Irish Oak Whiskey: A unique expression for the more seasoned whiskey drinker. This whiskey is matured in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to virgin Irish oak casks. The result is a distinct finish that showcases Irish terroir.
Ready to experience the spirit of Ireland? Shop Irish Whiskey to find your new favourite tipple.
