Irish Whiskey: Bottling Up Liquid Sunshine

Irish Whiskey : Bottling Up Liquid Sunshine

The word ‘Whiskey’ itself comes from the Irish ‘Uisce Beatha,’ which means water of life. One of the major differences between Scotch and Irish Whiskey is the distillation procedure. However, both these liquors are distilled spirits. Irish Whiskey is distilled thrice in comparison to Scotch being distilled twice. 

The extra three-time distillation process of the Irish spirit imparts a smoother finish and some whiskey lovers even go on to say that this is what makes the Irish Whiskey the best in the world.

Moreover, when it comes to aging, Irish Whiskey is mandatorily matured for three years at least in comparison to two years for the Scotch whiskey counterpart. As a result, the Irish variant tends to be more mellow than Scotch.

Don’t Miss A Drop

Irish Whiskey is a great choice to keep you warm on a cold winter night. You could soothe your nerves when you have a turn. It picks you up when you are down.

Irish Whiskey is quite capable of knocking you out with its flavor. It reels you in with your body. You can feel smooth, sexy, and the best after dark every night.  Irish Whiskey is all yours to try.

But Scotch is yet another word for whiskey. And what you choose to do at a whiskey party. If you have ever wondered what’s the difference between Scotch Whisky and Irish Whiskey; read on, we are happy to help you find out.  

Scotch Vs. Irish Whiskey Vs. Bourbon

Let us get this one thing straight. Scotch is whisky but minus the ‘e’. The only reason it is known as Scotch is because of its geographical origin. Like sparkling white wine called champagne comes from the region of Champagne. Similarly, Scotch is the whiskey that is made in Scotland. Nevertheless, whiskey can be made anywhere. Bourbon is whiskey made in the United States. 

If you are in the U.K. or Scotland and order a whiskey, you will most likely get a Scotch. Similarly, if you are in Ireland, you are most likely to get an Irish Whiskey. However, you are likely to get what you had asked for, if you are anywhere else in the world.

Nonetheless, the other big difference between Irish Whiskey and Scotch is also in the taste, apart from the regional leaning.

How is Irish Whiskey different from Scotch?

Well, both these whiskies are exclusively made in the nominative countries. Moreover, Scotch is made from malted barley and water, but Irish Whiskey comes from a sour mash of malted cereal corn grains, barley, and wheat. The term malted here refers to the grain that has been soaked, and subsequently begun to sprout.

However, the major difference between Scotch and Irish Whiskey involves the distillation process. Nonetheless, both spirits are distilled liquors. But Scotch is distilled only twice, and Irish whiskey is distilled thrice. The extra distillation of the Irish whiskey gives it a smoother finish. Some also go on to say that this added procedure eventually makes Irish Whiskey one of the best in the world. 

By Irish law, the similarities between the two regarding the maturation process do not end there. All Irish Whiskeys must be aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels. Moreover, most Irish distilleries use charred oak casks that have previously held bourbon. This gives Irish whiskey the distinct stamp of its mellow sweetness. 

Oak is the preferred choice of wood for Irish Whiskey. It is not just breathable but durable as well. Charring the cask before adding the spirit gives the wood a filtering aspect that eliminates chemical constituents causing a hangover. This also gives Irish Whiskey that smoky, and toasty taste we all love so much.

Both Scotch and Irish Whiskey must mature for three years at least and even an extra day makes a huge difference. However, several distilleries producing whiskies on both sides of the Irish Sea mature for longer. They normally prefer to wait until the product attains the perfect taste profile. 

What is Bourbon?

Bourbon is an all-American whiskey. It is made from at least 51 percent corn mash. Bourbon tends to have a much sweeter taste when compared to Irish Whiskey or Scotch. You can think of smooth notes of caramel and vanilla. This is further enhanced by the oak cask aging process. Moreover, because Irish Whiskey is normally aged in pre-used bourbon casks, Bourbon drinkers commonly find themselves enamored by the Irish cousin.

Now that you know the difference between Scotch and Irish whiskeys and bourbon, get set to try out some of these award-winning Irish whiskeys.

Try These Best Irish Whiskies

Free yourself from the regional requirements of Scotch and the nerdery surrounding bourbon, it is time now to try out these Best Irish Whiskeys . Irish Whiskey is an easy-going spirit that is perfect for both whiskey beginners and experts.

Irish Whiskey is generally known as a lighter whiskey. It comes without heavy notes of smoke or oaky vanilla. Here is a wide and diverse range of Irish whiskeys to be enjoyed and sampled as you brush through the year. Some of these Irish Whiskies are more suited for cocktailing. While others can be sipped neat just as you would a fine scotch or bourbon.

The Irish Whiskey category keeps growing with more and more examples flooding the spirit market across the world every year. The Irish Whiskey section at your local liquor store is no longer limited to just three or four big brands. They are most likely overflowing now with bottles marked with different barrel finishes and age statements. Nonetheless, there is always space for more on the bar for the old standbys.

Let’s begin with the Green Spot Irish Whiskey because it is affordable to be your everyday best sipping whiskey on the rocks. And yet luxurious enough to cater on special occasions.

Here are some of the best Irish whiskeys to try right now . We have gone the extra mile to compile this list. 

Best Irish Whisky Brands

Here are the 18 best Irish Whiskey for you to try this year.

• Bushmills 16-Year-Old Three Wood: With 40 percent ABV, this Single Malt Irish Whiskey is aged 16 years. It is individually seasoned in hand-picked bourbon and sherry casks. After which they are married and finished in port casks. Bushmills is a classy malt from Ireland. It is well known as a rare ‘3-wood whiskey. This Irish Whiskey yields distinct complexity, texture, and finish. This super smooth spirit actually tastes very good for whisky beginners. It does not have the harsh burning sensation that is usually associated with whiskies. We would highly recommend this one for you.

• Connemara Peated Irish Single Malt: This Irish Whiskey is highly recommended if you are leaning into smoky flavors. The high-rated Connemara Peated Irish Single Malt spirit is for you to try. It displays an unusual peated profile. And which is exceptionally rare to find in an Irish whiskey. You can also expect notes of barley, chocolate, honey, and salt to come along with the spirit. This whiskey in fact is known as the only Irish whiskey with a smoky flavor. It is a unique top-shelf item deserving to be a part of your home bar.

• Green Spot Irish Whiskey: With 40 percent ABV, this is the best Irish Whiskey for sipping on ice. Featuring tasting notes of apricot, green apple, and honey, the Green Spot cult favorite was first created in the 1800s for Mitchell & Son, a merchant company. They used distillate from Jameson’s Bow Street Distillery. The Green Spot’ name comes from the method in which the Mitchell company marked the ages of the whiskey casks. A Green Spot on a barrel meant a certain age. A Blue Spot on the barrel would mean another. And so on. Eventually, the Green Spot on the Barrel won, and today it carries the legacy forward as a blend of single-pot still whiskey. This spirit is first aged in bourbon barrels and then in sherry casks. Green Spot is delightfully fresh for its light body and pouring the spirit over a large ice cube delightfully enhances the crisp, fruity notes. It mutates this Irish whiskey into an energizing drink.

• The Irishman Small Batch Single Malt: This Irish Whiskey scored of 94 points from the Beverage Testing Institute. The Irishman Small Batch Single Malt also won the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It is a fan-favorite Irish Whiskey that is matured in a special combo of used American bourbon oak casks and European oak casks that were previously used in the production of Oloroso Sherry. Expect notes of honey, sweet granola, toasted almonds, and vanilla to come on the palette with this Irish spirit. It is then excellently finished with a touch of malt and sweet oak.

• Jameson Irish Whiskey: With 40 percent ABV, this Irish Whiskey with tasting notes of grain, honey, and lemon is best for ‘Whiskey & Gingers’ cocktail. A Whiskey & Ginger made with Jameson is very popular. It has become a cocktail in its own right and nicknamed as ‘Jamo and Ginger’. This Irish whiskey brings forth a spirit that is light, and fruity, along with a hint of earthy cereal notes. It is extremely accessible and goes well with most mixers. However, it is particularly exceptional with ginger ale or ginger beer. This spirit acts more like a squeeze of citrus which brings brightness to the drink. Moreover, you cannot argue with the emotional pull it generates of the classic ‘Jamo & Ginger’. All nostalgia goes to Jameson, when it comes to Irish Whiskey. This was pretty much the only bottle you needed for a long time to make sure that you had stock in the bar. And Jameson also is the bottle you would quickly run out of.

• Knappogue Castle 12-Year Single Malt: With 40 percent ABV, this is the best single-malt Irish Whiskey. It comes with tasting notes of dried apples, baking spices, and honey alongside a well-balanced palate. There are many single-malt Irish Whiskeys representing good value. This signature, entry-level release from Knappogue Castle is triple distilled in copper pot stills for a bright and clean start. It is then aged in bourbon casks for over 12 years. This results in a platonic ideal of Irish whiskey. The Knappogue Castle 12-Year Single Malt is incredibly sippable yet nuanced with layered flavors. This Irish Whiskey from West Cork is lighter and more refined than other similar spirits. It sees Irish barley and local spring water go into a hand-built copper pot still. The resulting distillate is then matured for eight years in first-fill flame-charred bourbon casks. It leads to more depth and character than single-malt Scotches can decidedly associate with. This Irish Whiskey bottle is highly approachable at 80 proofs.

• Knappogue Castle 16-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey: With 40 percent ABV, this is the best splurge Irish Whiskey with tasting notes of dried apricots, honey, and toasted nuts. It is aged for a minimum of 14 years in bourbon barrels and later finished in Oloroso sherry casks. The Knappogue Castle 16-Year-Old Irish Single Malt shows up soft and velvety on the palate along with a long lingering finish. It can be enjoyed straight. This rare Irish Whiskey is factually a luxury within a glass. It certainly rivals some of the top bourbons and Japanese whiskeys in quality. Go ahead and break open a bottle after a successful dinner party. At around $100 for one, it is doubtlessly a splurge you can always justify.

• McConnell’s Irish Whiskey: With 42 percent ABV, this Irish Whiskey is best for Hot Toddies. The spirit comes along with tasting notes of cinnamon, orange zest, and pear. The McConnell’s Distillery was originally founded in 1776. However, after being banished to the Emerald Isle during Prohibition, it recently made its way back to the United States. This Irish Whiskey is extremely sippable. It rounds off and plays well with a touch of citrus and can also handle the heat of a Hot Toddy or an Irish Coffee. This smooth and bold Irish spirit has notes of citrus. It will remind you of a Scotch with its high amount of malted barley. This is why it is ideal to be used in homemade Penicillin cocktails like a good Hot Toddy on a chilling day. The underlying citrus notes of the spirit go extremely well with honey from several cocktails.

• Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey: This Irish Whiskey is regarded as one of the finest whiskies across the world. Only 50 casks of the Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey are made each year. It is therefore an exclusive and limited edition. This spirit is well known for its honied golden appearance. It is named after Midleton which is the location of the distillery. This top-of-the-line Irish Whiskey is hand-selected by the Master Distiller Brian Nation. It only comes once each year from a limited selection of premium ex-Bourbon and Sherry casks. This Irish spirit is aged anywhere between 12-25 years.

• Powers Gold Label: This Irish Whiskey is generally rated by people at 7.5 out of 10 stars. The Powers Gold Label is a high-quality Irish Whiskey. The distillery has been in business for more than 230 years now. With notes of cinnamon, cloves, honey, and white pepper, this whiskey adds an underlying scent of butterscotch, orange zest, sweet fruit, and toasted oak. This versatile Irish whiskey appeals to a lot of different palettes. It is also a great choice for beginners. Powers is recognized as one of the first distilleries in the world. This spirit is a great choice for new whiskey drinkers. You are bound to like the sweeter taste and very smooth and complex flavor of this Irish spirit.

• Redbreast 12 Year: With 40 percent ABV, this Irish Whiskey is best for sipping neat. It comes along with tasting notes of baked spices, nuts, and roasted fruits. The Redbreast 12-Year-Old is a great whiskey for beginners. It is very easy to drink and barely burns the heat. Starters can look towards this spirit as their first step into the Irish Whiskey journey. You would love the sherry notes Redbreast picks up during the aging process. The spirit is light, fruity, and flecked with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Moreover, the iconic bottle of The Redbreast represents a great way to begin and explore the intricacy of this category.

• The Sexton Irish Whiskey: With 40 percent ABV alongside tasting notes of grain, honey, and roasted fruit, this is the best overall Irish Whiskey. The Sexton is easy to identify. It boasts of a unique black-and-gold angular bottle. This Irish whiskey is distilled thrice in copper pot stills. It is then aged in used Oloroso sherry casks that impart a honeyed mellow finish. The Sexton has tons of roasted pear notes on the nose. It follows through to the first sip. The spirit is also more earthier than many other Irish brands. This whiskey still has the telltale crispness of the category which makes it a perfect whisky for sipping neat or on a cube of ice. The Sexton is one of the few whiskeys to be concocted by a female master distiller. Especially in a category that has normally long been dominated by men. Moreover, this bottle is fairly easy on the budget. So, you can feel free to mix away and utilize this spirit in cocktails. The Sexton goes brilliantly with Hot Toddy, The Whiskey Smash, and a simple Whiskey & Soda as well along with a twist of lemon.

• Slane Irish Whiskey: With 40 percent ABV alongside tasting notes of caramel, dried fruit, and vanilla, this spirit derives the best value for Irish Whiskey. The Slane hails from the Boyne River Valley region in Ireland. This place was once home to many other distilleries. However, this distillery is one of the few that has survived and revitalized the heritage. This Irish Whiskey is distilled on the grounds housing the old Slane Castle. It is then aged in a selection of three different casks. Including virgin oak, seasoned whiskey, and lastly Oloroso sherry casks. This Irish spirit is bold and layered with flavors of caramel, dried fruit, and vanilla. Alongside a rich history, complex flavor, and pedigreed musical ties, the Slane Castle has hosted group performances from David Bowie, Queen, and U2 in the recent past. This affordable bottle in fact is a steal. The three different casks it ages in add a different story to be enjoyed. It tames the spice when poured over an ice cube. Or you can also use its heft to your advantage in an Old Fashioned or a New York Sour cocktail.

• Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey: With 46 percent ABV along with tasting notes of baking spices, dried fruit, and vanilla, this is the best Irish Whiskey under a $50 price tag. The Teeling is the first whiskey distillery in the last 125 years to open in the Irish capital of Dublin. It launched with this flagship bottle offering in 2015. The Teeling Small Batch is extremely smooth and rounded. This is largely contributed by the time the spirits spend in used rum barrels after initial aging in used bourbon barrels. This is an ideal Irish Whiskey for those who normally avoid spice in favor of sweeter spirits. With notes of baking spices and caramelized sugar on the nose, this Irish spirit comes with flavors of raisins and vanilla on the palate. This Irish whiskey is a great buy typically hovering around $40. You can always try the Teeling in an Irish Coffee or sip it straight along with some dark chocolate. It serves as a perfect shot after a dinner treat.

• Tullamore D.E.W. Caribbean Rum Cask Finish: With 43 percent ABV this is the most unique Irish Whiskey in the market. Moreover, this bottle is the Emerald Isle’s signature spirit. It gets some flavor additions from an island chain located halfway across the globe. This tropical Irish spirit from Tullamore D.E.W. is aged in demerara rum casks. This gives it some unusual Caribbean Island flavors. Then there are notes of caramel, cocoa, and ripe pineapple in the spirit along with hints of coconut to bring in the concept. Despite its cereal backbone along with bright, crisp flavors, and toasty finish, the Tullamore D.E.W. is still an Irish Whiskey. It may not be a bad choice to experiment with this weird Irish spirit in cocktails typically made with rum, including a Mai Tai or a Piña Colada.

• The Whistler – The Good, The Bad & The Smokey: With 48 percent ABV, this one is a blended single malt Irish Whiskey that is best enjoyed neat or over ice. It is the first blended malt coming from the Irish Whistler group. The Good, The Bad & The Smokey is naturally colored and non-chill filtered. It is distilled, matured, and bottled on Irish plains. Every gun makes its own tune and this Irish spirit is a melody of smooth blended single malts amidst peated heat. The spirit spends the first part of its journey in used bourbon barrels. After which it is married and finished off in 125-litre peated quarter casks for 10 months at least. This gives the whiskey a fiery peated finish of con days and roughened spice. Times where whiskey was gold and justice led the way. The smoky character of this Irish blended malt pays homage to the days gone by of the Western classics. The smokey palate of this Irish Whiskey is drawn from all three corners of the Irish plains. It offers a playful interlude between chalet smoke and the sweetness of bourbon along with delicate salinity. It is then followed by campfire embers, cereal sweetness, and herbal spices on the palate.

• Writers’ Tears Copper Pot Irish Whiskey: With 40 percent ABV alongside tasting notes of baking spices, pear, and vanilla, this Irish Whiskey is the best runner-up for sipping neat or over ice. This whiskey is not a joke, although the name sounds gimmicky. The spirit is a blend of pot still and single malt whiskeys. It is then distilled thrice for smoothness. With the high amount of grains in the mash, the Writers’ Tears is produced in a classic way. It is then distilled in a copper pot just like how Irish Whiskeys were historically made. This is why you can either have it neat or on the rocks. Every sip allows you to sit back and dwell in the 1500s when Irish whiskey was so delicious. Even Queen Elizabeth had her drinks like this one. Pour yourself a dram and ponder over how you are going to get around to finishing the novel you are working on.

• Yellow Spot Single Pot Still 12-Year-Old Irish Whiskey: With exotic sweet notes, this delightful Irish Whiskey has been awarded three times. It is largely opposed to the other ‘finished’ whiskies available in the market. The Yellow Spot matures for a full 12 years in three oak cask types. First inside American bourbon barrels. Then inside Spanish sherry butts. And lastly but uniquely inside Spanish Malaga casks. This Irish spirit packs a rich infusion of aromatic spices, dates, and figs with licorice, dark fruits, marzipan, prunes, and toasted oak. 

The Last Word

Each of these Irish Whiskeys deserves a place in your bar. However, the overall favorite remains the Knappogue Castle 12-Year Single Malt due to its adaptability. You are perfectly at home in a tumbler over ice with this. This Iris Whiskey is also great when sipped neat by a fireplace. Or even when it is stirred into a seasoned cocktail. In fact, all of these Irish Whiskeys are a great upgrade when you are looking to expand your palate beyond the usual suspects. 

FAQs

How is Scotch different from Irish Whiskey?

The geography is the primary difference between Scotch and Irish whiskey. Scotch can only be made in Scotland. Irish Whiskey, similarly, can only be made in Ireland. The region encompassed here involves both, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Moreover, both spirits are spelled differently. Irish whiskey is spelled with an added ‘e.’ The Scots leave the extra ‘e’ out and simply call it Whisky. Then there is a little authoritative difference between the two categories, including stylistic distinctions. The whisky from Scotland is most often peated and which typically leaves a smoky flavor and aroma. Irish Whiskey, on the flip side, is typically very bright and crisp. Nevertheless, there are exceptions as well.

How is Irish Whiskey made?

As per legal binding according to the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980, Irish Whiskey must be made from a mash of malted barley along with other optional cereal grains. This mash is then fermented and can be distilled to 94.8 percent ABV at the most. Irish Whiskey can either be distilled in a column still or a pot still. This spirit is then aged in wooden casks for three years at least. It can be blended or sold as a single malt; meaning that all spirits only come from a single distillery. 

Which is the best way to drink Irish Whiskey?

Quite often Irish Whiskey is sipped straight. Either neat or over ice in a lowball glass. However, this whiskey is also great for cocktails including the likes of Irish Coffee, Old Fashioned, Whiskey & Ginger aka ‘Irish Buck’, Whiskey & Soda, or Whiskey Sour.