13 Irish Whiskeys, Ranked Worst To First
Irish whiskey is distinct from similar spirits, like Scotch and bourbon, in several ways: Whereas Scotch is made from malted barley — and bourbon from corn — Irish whiskey is distilled from a mash of fermented cereals including corn, wheat, and barley. Uniquely, unmalted barley can also be added. When it comes to maturing, Irish whiskey can be stored in casks made from a variety of wood. Bourbon, on the other hand, must use oak.
The minimum duration of aging also distinguishes Irish whiskey. As Colum Egan, Master Distiller at Bushmills explains to Gentleman's Journal: "When it comes to ageing, Irish whiskey must be matured for at least three years, compared to just two years for Scotch whisky. As a result, Irish whiskey tends to have a more mellow style than Scotch. And the use of unpeated malted barley frees Irish whiskey from the smoky flavour sometimes found in Scotch."
In other words, Irish whiskey is unique. It's also enjoying something of a renaissance. Irish whiskey brands, especially those with premium offerings, are thriving. Consequently, there's a tremendous range of Irish whiskeys being made across the island, all differing significantly in taste, aroma, quality, and cost. Here, we offer our opinion on some of the best and worst Irish whiskeys currently available. Don't just take our word for it; go and try a dram or two. Who knows, you might find your next favorite liquor.
13. Proper No. Twelve
Speaking at the launch of his whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve, mixed martial artist Conor McGregor said: "We created close to one hundred blends and ultimately selected what we knew was the one and only proper whiskey blend. We took the time to develop an incredible whiskey and I'm excited to share it with the world" (via KLG Public Relations). Unfortunately, not many whiskey drinkers agree with McGregor's opinion. Reviewers have labeled the spirit as boring at best and unpalatable at worst.
Proper No. Twelve joins a long list of subpar celebrity-backed spirits, including the likes of Elon Musk's Tesla Tequila and Lil Wayne's Bumbu Rum. While poor-quality spirits backed by celebrities are nothing new, Proper No. Twelve is surprisingly bad given that it was created at the historic Old Bushmills distillery, with David Elder as Master Distiller. One of the only things going for the whiskey is its price, which stands at around $22. That being said, there are many other similarly priced bottles we would deem far superior. As such, this whiskey is one we would suggest steering clear of.
12. Kinahan's Blended Irish Whiskey
Established in 1779, Kinahan's is a whiskey producer with a long and illustrious history. Over the centuries, Kinahan's has received two royal warrants, one from Queen Victoria and another from Edward VII. Today, the brand continues to produce a range of whiskeys, with this blended product being among the most affordable, retailing at approximately $35.
Stephanie Moreno, editor-in-chief of Distiller, had this to say of the Kinahan's Blended Irish Whiskey: "The aroma is very much in the sweet camp with vanilla, marshmallow, and maple syrup notes, but you'll also find breakfast cereal flakes and a little sweet tobacco. ... Not one to write home about, but perfectly suitable to have as a sidecar to an ale or lager."
Kinahan's has a long history as a mixing spirit. Jerry Thomas, the man who is known for popularizing cocktails in the United States, featured Kinahan's whiskey in his seminal 1862 book "The Bar-Tender's Guide on How to Mix Drinks." As such, Kinahan's Blended Irish Whiskey will perform commendably whether you are enjoying it neat or using it as a base for your favorite cocktail, even if it's nothing amazing.
11. The Sexton Single Malt Irish whiskey
The Sexton is a punchy yet smooth whiskey that gains numerous fruity notes thanks to the maturation process that occurs in former oloroso sherry casks. Unlike many other whiskeys on this list, The Sexton is just as suited to mixing as it is sipping neat. This is thanks to master distiller Alex Thomas, who wields her in-depth understanding of distillation, maturation, and wood types skillfully.
Having previously worked in the wood industry, Thomas has paid particular attention to the wood in which the whiskey is matured. She explained to Go Bourbon, "Finding the right combination of distillation, wood and seasoning to create The Sexton took several years but it was well worth the time spent as I hope you will agree. ... European Oaks ... are less dense and gently toasted on the inside during construction which allows the spirit to interact with the wood much easier. They will add more spicy, savoury, or peppery flavours. The European oak used for The Sexton casks is sourced in France, shipped to Jerez in Spain and air dried there for 16 months until it has reached the desired point of humidity needed to make our casks."
The whiskey retails at just under $25. As such, it stands as a cheap yet versatile addition to many home bars. At just four years old, The Sexton does not match the deep complexity of whiskeys aged for prolonged periods. However, it is not far off.
10. West Cork Distillers Bourbon Cask
At $26, West Cork Distillers' Bourbon Cask blended Irish whiskey is nearly as cheap as Proper No. Twelve. That's where the similarities between the two whiskeys end. While Conor McGregor's whiskey is one-dimensional, West Cork Distillers' offering is extremely nuanced, including delightfully fresh citrus notes.
The whiskey is made from 75% grain Irish whiskey and 25% malt Irish whiskey, aged in casks that used to hold bourbon. This blend and maturation process results in a lighter whiskey, not dominated by the strong flavors associated with malt whiskey. Another factor behind the blended whiskey's varied flavor profile is that the spirit does not undergo the process of chill filtering. This means that many chemical compounds, such as esters and acids, are not removed from the whiskey. While refusing to chill filter can cause the spirit to turn cloudy when chilled, it ensures no flavor-giving compounds are lost.
9. Two Stacks Smoke & Mirrors
While other blended Irish whiskeys avoid using large amounts of malted whiskey, Two Stacks leans into the robust flavors with Smoke & Mirrors, a whiskey made from 10% double malt whiskey, 30% triple-peated malt whiskey, and 60% triple-distilled malt whiskey. To add extra complexity, the blended whiskey is aged in casks that previously held imperial stout.
Unsurprisingly, Smoke & Mirrors packs a lot of intense flavors, including distinct notes of peat, coffee, and chocolate. However, the spirit is much more nuanced than this short list would suggest. Reviews highlight several fruity notes as well as a decent level of spice.
Smoke & Mirrors retails at about $47 on average. For those looking to sample Two Stacks' wares before committing to purchasing a whole bottle, the brand also sells 100-milliliter servings of its whiskeys in cans. Unfortunately, Smoke & Mirrors has not been canned yet, but given that Two Stacks has only been operational since 2020, we wouldn't bet against this version of "dram in a can" coming soon.
8. Method and Madness Single Grain
Coming from the prestigious Midleton Distillery, Ireland's largest whiskey distillery and home of many brands on this list, Method and Madness is a small, relaxed brand that prioritizes originality and ingenuity over tradition and routine. One of the areas staff are most keen to experiment with is the aging and finishing processes of whiskey. Method and Madness has made a name for itself through experimenting with finishing in casks made from a variety of wood types. This has included the world's first whiskey aged in mulberry.
Method and Madness' Single Grain isn't quite as experimental. Instead of mulberry, the whiskey is aged in virgin Spanish oak. This is a challenging approach; fresh oak can quickly come to dominate the flavor profile of a whiskey, leaving it one dimensional. When done properly, however, the result is a brilliant freshness and complexity.
Unsurprisingly, many customers cite complex, bright flavors as this whiskey's best characteristic. One reviewer on Master of Malt stated, "Everything put to market by M&M is truly a stellar whiskey. The SG is no different. I have the full current M&M lineup, and this is the most punchy and zippy of the group. Definitely different than the single pot still whiskies, but this is a fraction of the price. Really enjoyable and a great glass for any whiskey enthusiast."
7. Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength
Single pot still whiskey is a variant on the spirit which is unique to Ireland. What makes it so distinct is the inclusion of unmalted — known as green — barley. This gives the whiskey noticeable spice, citrus flavors, and a creamy texture.
Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength is a brilliant example of single pot still whiskey. However, Irish Distillers master blender Billy Leighton, who is in charge of Redbreast, does not rely on the pot still alone to create flavor. Instead, he utilizes casks that have been seasoned with oloroso sherry, imparting dark, fruity notes into the liquid. Leighton explained to Master of Malt how important this is to Redbreast: "I think first of all the focus of Redbreast is on the Sherry cask contribution, that's really what sets the Redbreast family apart from all the other styles that we have. It is the Sherry cask seasoning and how that then develops over time, and then how that balances with the pot still style."
Finally, this whiskey also sets itself apart thanks to its incredibly high strength: 57.7% ABV. Despite this, Redbreast is still a fantastic sipper, one that demonstrates the best characteristics of Irish single pot still whiskey.
6. Jameson Bow Street 18 Year Old Cask Strength
Jameson Bow Street 18 Year Old Cask Strength is the first premium whiskey on this list. The quality of this whiskey is not up for debate; it won the blended with age statement category at the 2021 Irish Whiskey Awards. With a price tag of approximately $160, this whiskey is far from cheap, but that is to be expected from Jameson's rarest release.
As a well-aged whiskey, it will come as little surprise that wood, spice, and toffee are the predominant notes, both on the nose and palate. The whiskey also gains some unique complexity due to a finishing period of six to 12 months in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon barrels. Similarly to winemaking, first-fill barrels are extremely potent and will thus give the spirit a great degree of the bourbon's character.
Once again, Billy Leighton explained the reasoning behind his methods: "As a tribute to the Jameson distilling legacy in Smithfield, we've introduced some methods that would have been employed in days past. The final maturation period in Bow Street is our nod to the traditional 'marrying' method. We've put our own stamp on it by using first-fill Bourbon barrels, whereas the traditional approach would be to use the casks multiple times" (via The Spirits Business).
5. Walsh Whiskey Writers' Tears Double Oak
As the name suggests, this iteration of Walsh Whiskey's Writers' Tears line features two different stages of oak cask maturation. These include an aging period in American oak bourbon barrels and French oak cognac barrels. The spirit that comes into contact with these barrels is a blend of both single pot still and single malt.
In an interview with Good Food Revolution, Bernard Walsh, founder of Walsh Whiskey, highlighted why the company settled on producing this style of whiskey. He explained, "Writers Tears was inspired by the Irish distillers of the 1800's. This was a time when Ireland dominated the world of whiskey with two styles, Potstill and Malt. The vatting of these styles was a luxury velvety blend. Spicy yet creamy with wonderful bursts of flavours with each breaking wave! Writers Tears is a recreation of this 1800's old Irish style."
The resulting bottle, priced at $61, is light yet finishes with strong notes of spice. An inherent balance and relatively mild alcoholic content make it the perfect Irish whiskey to sip neat.
4. Spot Whiskeys Yellow Spot 12 Year Old
Going one better than Writers' Tears is Yellow Spot 12 Year Old from Spot Whiskeys. This whiskey is made from spirits that have been matured for a full 12 years in different barrels: American bourbon casks, Spanish sherry butts, and Spanish Malaga cases.
The use of barrels that held fortified wine makes its mark on this whiskey, as Stephanie Moreno highlights: "The wine barrels have certainly shown influence on this whisky with a juicy red fruit filled nose and palate. Hidden in between the layers of fruit you'll discover a taste you may recognize if you've ever eaten Ferrero Rocher chocolate hazelnut candies. As you continue to taste, the fruity flavors deepen into toffee, dried Clementine, and bitter walnuts" (via Distiller). Moreno awarded Yellow Spot a fantastic score of 96/100.
It's no surprise that this quality comes with a hefty price tag. You can expect to pay around $135 for a bottle of Yellow Spot. If you can't stretch that far, we would point you in the direction of Green Spot, a non-age statement whiskey from the same company that, while cheaper, remains excellent.
3. Kinsale Spirit Co. Spanish Earl
Launched in 2015, Kinsale Spirit Co. has rapidly gained acclaim, with its products winning a variety of awards. Each whiskey produced by the company celebrates a significant figure in Ireland's history. The success of these whiskeys has seen Kinsale Spirit's distribution increase rapidly. Chief Executive Colin Ross told Business Post in 2021 that he didn't expect this growth to slow anytime soon: "Premium whiskeys are growing at more than double the rate of standard brands. We currently export to China, the US and a number of other markets. We are in the process of recruiting eight people in US and we have eight staff employed here in Ireland too. ... We are always looking at potential markets and plan to move into mainland Europe as well as working on states like South Carolina, Illinois and California." This means it should only get easier to find Kinsale whiskeys in the United States.
Spanish Earl is a triple-distilled, single-malt whiskey that gains significant flavor from finishing in both ex-bourbon and ex-imperial stout casks. The resulting spirit has been noted as having both coffee and chocolate notes, a flavor profile that earned it the prestigious title of Master at the annual Irish Whiskey Masters. The whiskey can be purchased for under $40; you will be hard pressed to find another spirit of this quality at a similar price
2. Dingle Distillery Single Malt Batch No. 6
The last in a line of limited-edition releases, Dingle Distillery's Single Malt Batch No. 6 finds uniqueness by maturing in former tawny port casks. This is something Master Distiller Graham Coull celebrates: "It has been my pleasure to be a part of Single Malt Batch 6 distilling process. ... Batch 6 is a great of example of the interaction between Single Malt spirit and Fortified wine. A whiskey with multiple layers of sweetness and a well-balanced depth of flavour. It really is a must try, even more so as it is the last in the series" (via Irish Whiskey Magazine).
Single Malt Batch No. 6 was also named a Master at the Irish Whiskey Masters, attesting to its high quality and distinct flavor. The whiskey is reported as boasting significantly sweet tasting notes, including those from numerous berries. Released in autumn 2021, this limited-edition whiskey can be hard to find, but with a retail price of around $75 (as of this writing), this delicious whiskey is a bargain well worth searching for.
1. Dunville's Palo Cortado 21 Year Single Malt Cask 1197
Topping our list is a prestigious whiskey, a single malt aged for an incredible 21 years. While quality is usually a matter of opinion, Dunville's Palo Cortado 21 Year Single Malt Cask 1197 is objectively the best Irish Whiskey around after being crowned the overall winner at the 2022 Irish Whiskey Awards.
Jarlath Watson, a businessman who works with the brand, described the whiskey to The Irish News as follows: "Very well-structured, waxy and rich. Honeydew melon, tropical fruits in syrup and pear drops give way to caramelised apricots, juicy overripe plums and spiced Chantilly cream. Red apple skins, stewed stone fruits, and old dunnage oak give balance and structure while toasted nuts, warming winter spices and sweet tobacco tantalise then combine for a long, sweet and truly sublime finish."
Dunville's has been an eminent whiskey brand since the early 1800s, and this offering epitomizes the high quality and complexity associated with the brand. Of course, a whiskey of this caliber is both expensive and hard to find. The initial retail price was approximately $300. This is a large sum of money, but we believe there is no better Irish whiskey to spend your money on.