There’s no denying that whiskey is one of the most loved and consumed spirits in the world. From Scotch to American bourbon, there are many variations of this spirit that continue to excite palates and challenge producers. This has been especially true in the last decade or so, with whiskey producers coming up with new blends, ageing regimens, and production methods to keep things exciting. There are so many different types of whiskeys out there that it can be hard to choose which one you want to try first. There’s also now so much secondary information about each type that you could spend endless hours researching which one is best for your palate or your budget. So we thought we’d make things easier for you by creating this rundown of the essential Irish whiskeys you should be drinking if you’re a fan of this spirit. These are some of our favourites from among all the options out there. So without any further ado, here are our top recommendations:
Irish Whiskey Basics
Most Irish whiskeys are made from barley and malt, with a small number of oats also sometimes used. The barley and malt are mixed with hot water, fermented with yeast to make a “mash”, and then distilled to create a clear spirit. This spirit is then put into barrels and aged for a variable amount of time which could be as little as two years or as long as thirty or more years, depending on the type. As far as what kind of barrels are used, there are a couple of main options. Some distillers prefer American oak barrels, while others will opt for barrels made from French oak. Barrels made from new oak are often used for the initial ageing of the spirit, while those made from old oak are often reserved for finishing the ageing process. Some producers also blend whiskeys from different barrels to create their unique blends.
Teeling Irish Whiskey
The Teeling Irish Whiskey is one of the most acclaimed Irish whiskeys on the market today. It was initially released as a single-pot still whiskey, but the brand has since released a single-mash still whiskey as well. The single-pot still whiskey is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys aged in bourbon casks, while the single-mash still whiskey is a blend of barley, corn, and rye with a bit of malted barley aged in both bourbon and Sherry casks. The Teeling Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a single malt whiskey aged in bourbon casks and blended from three different malt types. The Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys aged in bourbon casks. The Teeling Single Malt Cask Strength Irish Whiskey is a high-proof single malt whiskey aged in bourbon casks.
Bushmills Black Label
The Bushmills Black Label Irish Whiskey is one of the most iconic whiskeys in the entire world. This is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys aged in a combination of bourbon and Sherry casks. The Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey is a blend of malt and grain whiskeys aged in a combination of bourbon and Sherry casks. The Bushmills Special Reserve Irish Whiskey is a premium blend of grain and malt whiskeys aged in a combination of bourbon and Sherry casks. The Bushmills 10-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a single malt whiskey aged in a combination of bourbon and Sherry casks. The Bushmills 16-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a single malt whiskey aged in a combination of bourbon and Sherry casks.
Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey
The Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys aged in a combination of bourbon and Sherry casks. The Tullamore DEW Black Label Irish Whiskey is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys aged in a combination of bourbon and Sherry casks. The Tullamore DEW Special Reserve Irish Whiskey is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys aged in a combination of bourbon and Sherry casks. The Tullamore DEW 12-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a single malt whiskey aged in a combination of bourbon and Sherry casks.
Connemara NAS
The Connemara NAS Irish Whiskey is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys aged in a combination of bourbon, Sherry, and Scotch Whisky casks. The Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a single malt whiskey aged in a combination of bourbon, Sherry, and Scotch Whisky casks. The Connemara Cask Strength Irish Whiskey is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys aged in a combination of bourbon, Sherry, and Scotch Whisky casks. The Connemara Peated Cask Strength Irish Whiskey is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys aged in a combination of bourbon, Sherry, and Scotch Whisky casks.
Conclusion
There are many great Irish whiskeys out there to try, and each one of the whiskeys we’ve covered in this list is well worth sampling. Whether you’re looking for a sipping whiskey, a mixing whiskey, or a flavoured whiskey, you should find something you love in this list. If you’re looking for a great gift for a whiskey lover, any of these bottles would make a great gift. There’s something for everyone, so be sure to try out some of these great Irish whiskeys!
