The Best Irish Whiskey | Wine Enthusiast

Although Irish whiskey had nearly been wiped from existence in the 1970s, when only a mere three distilleries remained, Ireland’s signature whiskey has recently been on the upswing.

Many new distilleries have popped up in recent years, and lots of excellent bottles have been making their way to the U.S. While we still have a soft spot for Jameson, which popularized Irish whiskey around the globe, it’s far from the only great Irish bottle on the bar.

What Is Irish Whiskey?

Just as Scotch is from Scotland and bourbon is made in the U.S., Irish whiskey is any whiskey that’s made in Ireland. (And yes, in Ireland, whiskey is spelled with an “e.”) That said, Ireland’s namesake spirit is made in a wide variety of styles. Some are lighter-bodied, while others are more robust; others add flavor via peat-smoking or finishing in casks that previously held other spirits, wine or beer. But as long as it’s distilled and aged in the country, it can be labeled as Irish whiskey.

What Is the Appeal of Irish Whiskey?

In general, Irish whiskey is considered particularly versatile and mixable.

While the flavor profiles can vary quite widely, many of Ireland’s best whiskeys are light and approachable, with fresh, fruity or grassy notes. (Again: this isn’t universal. These days, there are plenty of bottlings that display peat, dark fruit or sherry, or tannic, oaky notes, too.)

Many Irish whiskeys are triple-distilled (by comparison, Scotch is distilled twice), which encourages a lighter-bodied spirit—however, not all Irish whiskeys are distilled three times.

Additionally, Irish whiskey tends to be competitively priced compared to its Scotch or American whiskey counterparts.

What Are Some Irish Whiskey Terms I Should Know?

Grain whiskey. This means that the whiskey can include a mashbill of different grains, often wheat but sometimes corn, plus barley. Grain whiskey is made in a large column still, which gives a lighter character.

Malt whiskey. Just as in Scotch whisky, Irish malt whiskey is made with 100% malted barley and cooked in a pot still, which can impart a more robust character. Note: This is different from an Irish single malt, which means it’s made at a single distillery. The “single malt” term is more common to Scotch (and recently, American whiskey, too); in Irish whiskey it’s more of a marketing term meant to draw in Scotch drinkers.

Pot still whiskey. This is a combination of malted barley, unmalted “raw” barley and other grains (but no more than 5% of other grains). It’s also referred to as “single pot still” whiskey.

Blended whiskey. This is a mixture of grain whiskey and either malt whiskey or pot still whiskey—or both. (Note: This is different from Scotch, where a blended whiskey means the liquid is sourced from more than one distillery, or American whiskey, where the term might signal a blend of various barrels or whiskey styles.)

Poitin. Essentially, Irish moonshine. Historically, this was an illicit, usually unaged whiskey made from barley. It often incorporated other ingredients, too, ranging from potatoes to sugar beets. Some commercial versions are now sold in the U.S. Read more about poitin here.

How Do I Drink Irish Whiskey?

A good bottle of Irish whiskey is a pleasure to sip neat or over ice. However, it’s a spirit that’s particularly embraced for mixing into cocktails, including the iconic Irish coffee and classics like the Tipperary. It’s also the go-to spirit for the pickleback: a shot of Irish whiskey chased with pickle juice, beloved in American dive bars. (It’s not to be confused, however, with the pickle shot.)

While there’s no definitive “best” Irish whiskey for the Irish coffee and other mixed drinks, in general, bartenders recommend using bottlings with a traditional flavor profile (read: fresh and approachable) rather than a peated or extra-aged version.

What’s the Best Glass for Irish Whiskey?

There’s no specific glass for enjoying Irish whiskey, per se, but a rocks glass or another tumbler-style glass (like Wine Enthusiast’s Personalized Rocks Glasses with Frosted Etched Bottoms) to sip whiskey (Irish or otherwise) neat or on the rocks always works.

Some experts prefer a curved Glencairn glass to help maximize aromas while minimizing alcohol fumes (or alternatively, here’s a curved whiskey glass I helped develop with Wine Enthusiast’s catalog team). But the only glassware that’s specific to Irish whiskey cocktails? The footed Irish coffee mug, of course.

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The Best Irish Whiskey for Beginners

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The Best Irish Whiskey Under $100

The Best Irish Single Malts

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