Extremely smooth and rounded, thanks to some time spent in ex-rum barrels after initial aging in ex-bourbon barrels, this is the ideal whiskey for those who eschew spice in favor of a sweeter spirit. 5 bids. Some distilleries barrel age their whiskeys beyond the minimum, so youll see Irish whiskey aged for a decade or two (luxury expressions can be aged for 40 or 50 years). If you want someone to fall in love with Irish whiskey, one sip of Redbreast ought to do the trick. Rating: 91. Produced from a combination of malted and unmalted barley, it is distilled three times in copper pot stills, then aged for a minimum of 15 years. Extremely easy to drink with barely any burning heat, Redbreasts 12 Year offering is great for whiskey beginners looking for a bottle to drink neatand the perfect next step of your Irish whiskey journey. Not only that, but finishing in a rum cask adds a layer of sugary deliciousness that means not only will it go down easy, but youll want to return to it again and again. This is why I use it to make my homemadePenicillin cocktailsas well as a good Hot Toddy. Region: Ireland | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Apples, baking spices, toast. With lots of nutmeg and cinnamon flavors, it's perfect for sipping, either neat or on the rocks. Connemara makes excellent whiskey at a fair price, and the uniqueness of being a peated Irish whiskey is the perfect way to expand your palate for the spirit. What's the best way to drink Irish whiskey? Distiller: Bushmills Bottler: Eire Born Spirits Mash Bill: A blend of Irish single malts and Irish grain whiskey Cask: Various Age: NAS (At least 3 years) ABV: 40%. Rating: 95. Connemara is a peated, pot stilled, single malt Irish whiskey, delicious and smoky. There are no fancy gimmicks, just old-fashioned Irish distilling techniques that lead to a smooth 80-proof whiskey with an ideal balance of spices, nuts, and vanilla. Smelling this whiskey brings visions of golden barley, and on the palate it's robust and spicy with black pepper. Its bold and layered with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and dried fruit. With its comparatively lower price tag, Jameson is often considered a bottom shelf brand. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Jameson (80 proof; $20) Still perhaps the first Irish whiskey that most people try. Billing itself as the best-selling Irish single malt whiskey in the U.S., the Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey will set you back around $30. Price at time of publish: From $29 for 750ml Bottle, ABV: 45% | Age: 10 years | Volume: 750 ml. Its a whiskey spirit unlike any youve ever seen before. This 46 percent ABV example from Teeling begins with a bang: Intense barbecue sauce aromas fly from the glass, followed by bruised banana and charcoal. Green Spot Chateau Montelena. Region: Ireland | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Honey, toasted nuts, dried fruit. The brand was founded by James Power in 1791, who opened a distillery in Dublin after years of distilling whiskey as a hobby. Infused with real orange and lavender, this gin is a delicately flavored curiosity that doesnt overpower and doesnt out-stay its welcome. In a category long dominated by men, the Sexton is one of the few Irish whiskeys to be crafted by a female master distiller. Make a whiskey smash by muddling three lemon wedges in a shaker. $19.95 + $7.95 shipping . West Cork thrives to bring variety to Irish whiskey and they do so at accessible price points. Single grain means that the whiskey was produced in one location using malted barley and at least one other grain. Delivery Locker Pickup. Bushmill's Irish whiskey is triple distilled and very supple. The deep red hue of the barrels former contents can be seen in the whiskeys attractive ruby reflections. Knappogue Castle 12 Year Single Malt at ReserveBar, Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey at Drizly, Knappogue Castle 16 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey at ReserveBar, West Cork 8-Year Single Malt at Instacart.com, Knappogue Castle 16 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Tullamore D.E.W. In those days liquor and wine had to be shipped into Pittsburgh via sailing vessels to New Orleans and then brought upriver on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Its not quite a sherry bomb, but this new release will certainly please those who enjoy nutty and dried-fruit- heavy single malts. Overseen by a former winemaker and Bordeaux native, this blend of grain whiskeys is triple distilled and aged in new American oak (along with additional maturation in ex-bourbon casks) and blended with a touch of sherry-finished malt. "Aged 12 years mostly in ex-bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry casks. Original Irish Whiskey at Drizly, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Madiera Cask at Drizly, Knappogue Castle 16 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt Whiskey, Here Are the Best Whiskey Stones to Make Your Drinks Perfectly Cool, The 30 Best Gifts for Whiskey Lovers of 2023, The 8 Best Bitters for Whiskey Cocktails with Flavor, The Best Cheap Whiskeys to Drink That a Mixologist Recommends, The Best Whiskey Bottles to Buy for Your Collection, The 9 Best Japanese Whiskies You Can Buy Online, Stock Your Home Bar With the Best Scotch Whiskies to Drink, Explore the Great Taste of Bushmills Irish Whiskey. Other bottles include ones aged 15, 21, and 27 years, in addition to cask strength and bourbon barrel editions. Irish whiskey is known as one of the smoothest whiskeys available. productslearn more about Damar Hamlin Shares Message About His Recovery. From a high-end splurge or two to affordable everyday options for mixed drinks, these are the best Irish whiskey bottles worth adding to your bar. Kate Dingwall is a freelance writer whose work focuses on food, drinks, and travel. A crisp chardonnay nose and buttery chardonnay finish bookend the gentle rye body of this spirit, making it a beguiling and gentle drink straight, on the rocks, or mixed. Power's currently offers a variety of different bottles of whiskey, its flagship being the Signature Release. The softer, more subtle notes of malted barley are complimented and enhanced by the peat to create a whiskey that is inviting and layered. Madeira is a fortified wine thats noted for its caramelized fruity flavors, and that juicy sweetness translates wonderfully into the whiskey. Irish Whiskey is distilled three times, and Scotch only twice. After 11 years in sherry and bourbon casks, the spirit is finished in Marsala wine barrels, and the character of fortified and sweet wines is apparent from first sniff to final sip. Though each of these whiskeys deserves a place on your bar, our overall favorite remains Knappogue Castle 12yr Single Malt (view at Drizly) due to its versatility. Single-grain whiskeys are made with one singular grain or cereal. Slinte! In fact, Connemara is one of the only peated Irish whiskies on the market, and the only one that is relatively common to find. Best Irish whiskey. There are plenty of Irish whiskeys to choose from, each bringing its own character to the category. Its bottled at 46 percent ABV (92 proof) and does have a price tag to match its prestige, but the first sip proves that its worth the money. A Moscow Mule, made all the better by using Shmidt Spirits. Although this method is common, Redbreast is able to remain distinct through its bounty of aromatics and flavor notes. Therefore, the bottles that dawn his name are some of the best that Ireland has to offer. Related: The Best Whiskey Glasses, According to Experts, "I'm a big fan of Slane Whiskey. That same distillery on Bow Street is still making great whiskey today, along with the brand's other operation, the Midleton Distillery in Cork, home of the world's largest pot still. Rating: 89. "Slane is extremely approachable and great for mixing," Vose says. Jun 26, 2021. Irish whiskey is a beautiful spirit made to be enjoyed, so thats the only rule for me." And there are plenty of reasons to be excited beyond the categorys increasing number of producers. ", Micah Anderson, from Oklahoma City's Ponyboy, says Redbreast 15-year is "hands-down" his favorite Irish whiskey: "It's velvety and fruity, and has just enough oak to add character and flavor without getting too woody. Keith Homan/Shutterstock. Jameson Irish Whiskey (1 x 1 l) R 519 00. Rivaling some of the top bourbons and Japanese whiskeys in quality, this is the bottle you break out after a successful dinner party. Particularly enjoyable are its fresh fruit and honeysuckle aromas and the modest hint of PX wine that runs throughout. is a blend of three different types of Irish whiskey that is then matured in three different casks. There's a lot that goes into a bottle of Shmidt Spirits craft liquor. Ending Mar 9 at 6:28PM PST 6d 21h. Time spent in wood will give whiskey a whole new portfolio of flavors that dont happen from distillation. Queue up the YouTube tutorials on how to say Slinte! like an Irish native: These are the 20 best Irish whiskeys to drink right now. Kate Dingwall, who updated this roundup, is a sommelier and spirits writer. This practice imparts flavors of earth, brine, and smoke into the final spirit that is unique, bold, and robust. John Legend Shared His . Every bar needs at least one Irish whiskey that's always in stock, so you can mix up a drink or pour a shot whenever you want. This gulpable whiskey is crafted from a blend of single grain, single malt, and single pot still whiskeys that have matured in a combination of ex-Sherry, ex-Bourbon, and ex-Marsala casks from. Region: Ireland | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Green apple, apricot, honey. Taste 9 Zach Johnston Tasting Notes: Nose: This has a dry apple cider vibe that leans into. The company was founded in 1999 by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, who set out to recement Irish whiskey as one of the world's most beloved spirits. Some of the new wave aim to highlight terroir and the importance of farming; many are employing techniques like cask finishing, which is established among whiskey distilleries in other nations; and were starting to see single barrel and cask strength bottlings creeping into the space. The lineup, which debuted in 2010, includes specialty bottlings from confidential providers. Sam Dangremond is a Contributing Digital Editor at Town & Country, where he covers men's style, cocktails, travel, and the social scene. ABV: 46% | Age: 15 years | Volume: 750 ml. Finishing in a rye cask gives a final note of spicy sweetness that underlines the citrus and floral notes waiting to entice you. I am a big fan of Green Spot for its light body and delightfully fresh green apple notes, says Yamachika. Finished in bourbon barrels, this blended whiskey is notably influenced by the former contents of those casks. Made entirely in Ireland, it's a favorite worldwide, especially in the U.K. and U.S., due to its exceptional smoothness. Our two-thirds rye one-third wheat mash is aged four days in a charred oak barrel, mellowing the rye notes just a hint to allow for a smoother, easier drink. Curry Wurst | $9.00 German Street Food! Back in 2016, Jameson opened up the warehouse for barrel finishing its special new . The Watershed expression is a nice introduction to this top-shelf brand. Each of these has its own unique character, being aged in various ways such as in sherry casks, port wine pipes, and Madeira wine barrels. Scotch is often (but not always) peated, leaving it with a smoky flavor and aroma. History. If sipping traditional whiskey isn't your thing, Jameson offers a variety of very unique expressions. After distillation, the whiskey is aged in barrels, which can be ex-bourbon, sherry casks, virgin oak, or other types. A brilliant, bright, and spicy whiskey, Connemara is a great choice for anyone who enjoys a peaty scotch. MMA star Conor McGregor and co-founders Ken Austin and Audie Attar last year sold their majority stake in this Irish whiskey brand for a bumper $600 million. Two Stacks has proven eager to innovate in the Irish whiskey space, offering canned packaging and among the first cask-strength releases weve tried (and thoroughly enjoyed) at VinePair. Should We Prepare for a Champagne Shortage? Average price: $20. Samuel Gelston's Blended Irish Whiskey 70cl 70cl. Best value Irish whiskey. Jameson remains an accessibly priced whiskey and its commonality and classic taste make it the world's go-to Irish whiskey. Humberto Marques, Owner/Entrepreneur and Lead Mixologist at Curfew Bar in Denmark, ABV: 40% | Age: NAS | Volume: 750 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L, or 375 ml. Average price: $46. Schmidt's Famous Pretzel Nuggets | $10.00 With beer cheese add $2.00 A house specialty! Other bottles by Teeling include a single-grain, single-malt, single-pot still, and even a peated whiskey, a less common form of Irish whiskey. Aged and matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, Green Spot serves up dense aromas of vanilla and toffee along with a wonderful, fruit-forward taste. At that point, the whiskey was sold by Gilbey's Castle, and the name "redbreast" refers to the European robin and is an homage to the company's chairman, who loved birds. Two parts rye and one part wheat ensures that this spirit has the desired spice and bite of a rye with the mellowing sweetness of wheat to make sure the whole thing goes down smooth. view product details for Samuel Gelston's Blended Irish Whiskey. A little distinct from typical Irish whiskeys, Paddy's blend has . The three different casks it ages in all add a little something different to be enjoyed. Tame the spice with an ice cube or use its heft to your advantage in a cocktail like an old fashioned or a New York sour. Average price: $25. Read Next: The Best Scotch Whiskies to Drink. Average price: $152. Hyde Whiskey will definitely cost more than your average Irish whiskey, but you can rest assured they are excellent expressions of the spirit. Manhattan-style cocktails are a fantastic use for Irish whiskey, and its a great style choice for nearly any classic whiskey cocktail. The Best Whiskey Glasses, According to Experts. Light and expressive, this 46 percent ABV bottling attracts with floral and dried red berry aromas, then serves a lithe yet concentrated palate. Power's also makes a high-rye Irish whiskey, which is a unique take on the style, as well as two other single pot stills and a bourbon barrel-aged Gold Label. While single-malt Scotch has become increasingly expensive in recent years, there are a number of single-malt Irish whiskeys that still represent terrific values. 9.2 Single pot still whiskeys. Price at time of publish: From $53 for 750ml Bottle, ABV: 40% | Age: 16 years | Volume: 750 ml. this gin's flavor is only outshone by its versatility. Rating: 92. With apricots, honey, and toasted nuts on the nose, it shows up soft and velvety on the palate with a long, lingering finish, and it certainly deserves to be enjoyed straight. THE BEST Irish whiskeys in the world are toasted at the annual Irish Whiskey Awards. Since there are only a few distilleries in Ireland, the offerings are not as numerous as youll find with other whiskey styles. The richness of its palate makes it a great option for stirred, spirit-forward cocktails. It's crafted for Dublin's Mitchell & Son, making it just one of two whiskeys specifically produced for and sold by an independent wine merchant in Ireland. Starters und Soups Sauerkraut-Bratwurst Balls | $10.00 A German Tradition! Tullamore is a town in County Offaly, and "DEW" is the initial of Daniel E. Williams, who is responsible for progressing the brand toward country-wide success. Add . Rating: 94. Buy now. $14.00 shipping. Palate: The whisky overall is very light and watery.It tastes of cigar tobacco, red apples, and . That was before Mark Edwin Andrews purchased the medieval structure, restored it, and made it a symbol of one of the finest whiskies in Ireland. XO Caribbean Rum Cask. It is customarily triple distilled in copper pot stills and bottled at 40 percent alcohol by volume (ABV, 80 proof) or slightly higher. But that's merely based on geography: Bushmills is from Northern Ireland (a predominantly Protestant region) and Jameson is from Cork - Catholic country. Never be afraid to try new styles.. Egan's Vintage Grain Irish Whiskey. Born just north of Frankfurt Germany, patriarch J. Fred Schmidt journeyed to America and settled in south Columbus in the early 1880's. Opening the J. Fred Schmidt Meat Packing House in 1886 in the heart of German Village, Schmidt's became Central Ohio's most well known name in meats and is to this day sold in leading grocery . The brand's three classic blended Irish whiskies include its original, Black Bush, aged in Sherry and bourbon casks, and Red Bush, in first-fill bourbon barrels. If you enjoy adding soda to your whiskey, you should add soda to it. Tyrconnell A single-malt Irish whiskey, made entirely of malted barley. Let's celebrate the Irish history, ancestors, and traditions today! It is famously paired with coffee in the Irish coffee and shines in simple soda highballs. The long finish ensures that its a memorable experience. Tastes fruity and moderately spicy, with a strong malt character. West Cork produces a gorgeous single-malt that sees Irish barley and local spring water going into a hand-built copper pot still, with the resulting distillate matured for eight years in first-fill, flame-charred bourbon barrels.