Top 13 Best Irish Whiskey Brands to Try

Mark Edwin Andrews and his wife purchased a 15th-century castle to restore the then ruin to its former glory. Knappogue Castle is a historic and storied distillery producing some of the top-rated Irish whiskey on the international market. The castle is located on the western side of the island. 

Knappogue Castle 16 Year Single Malt is aged at least fourteen years in bourbon barrels, and then for the last two years, the aging process occurred in Oloroso sherry casks.

The specific combination of two barrels and the blending of bourbon barrels and sherry casks adds nutty and complex notes to the single malt whiskey. Indeed, the Wine Enthusiast magazine awarded the single malt 94 points. 

Green Spot is a single-pot still Irish whiskey. It is produced for Mitchell & Son of Dublin at the Midleton Distillery in Cork, Ireland, and is offered in bars and restaurants globally. Single pot still whiskey is made by combining a mixed mash of malted barley and unmalted barley that is then distilled in a traditional pot still.

Whiskey critics hail Green Spot Irish Whiskey as one of the best. When you first smell it, hints of peppermint, malt, vanilla, and citrus are strongly present. Upon your first sip, whiskey drinkers taste the mint as well as a distinct oakiness. Finally, the finish is extended and tastes like vanilla.

Tullamore Dew is named after Daniel E. Williams (D.E.W.), the original distillery owner. In the 1960s, the distillery merged, and now Tullamore Dew is produced at Midleton Distillery in Cork, Ireland. It is the second highest-selling Irish whiskey brand internationally, with over 1,500,000 cases sold in 2020. 

The triple-distilled whiskey is aged in bourbon and sherry casks for a rich and oaky flavor profile. Once poured, the whiskey smells like honey, apples, dried fruit, and toffee. The honey and apple are very present in its taste with added notes of nutmeg.

It is a bit more earthy than other Irish whiskeys. The medium finish is mostly toffee and spice, leaving the drinker ready for another sip. 

The Old Bushmills Distillery is located in Bushmills in Northern Ireland. The distillery uses water from Saint Columb's Rill to create Bushmills Original, and the recipe for Bushmills Original has not changed since 1888. Notably, the distillery hosts around 120,000 visitors annually.

The whiskey is aged for five years in bourbon and sherry casks. The four predominant scents and flavors of the whiskey are vanilla, caramel, fruits, honey, and cookies. Bushmills Original is a great first Irish whiskey if you are a novice looking to try new spirits. Follow the distillery on social media for new releases and cocktail recipes. 

Jameson has two distilleries, one in Cork County and one in the heart of Dublin, Ireland. The Jameson Black Barrel is a specially crafted blend of single-pot whiskey that has been aged in charred barrels. Charring is a method for activating barrels to intensify the final taste of the whiskey. 

Jameson Black Barrel is distilled three times, and the barrel used to age whiskey is twice charred. It smells like caramel and butterscotch with a touch of spice. After the first taste, toffee and fruit flavors are immediately apparent, but a woody and cinnamon flavor develops. The whiskey finished with a lasting oaky taste. 

Knappogue Castle 12-year-old is made with malted barley and is triple distilled. The distillery uses traditional, onion-shaped copper pot stills to make the Irish whiskey. Then, it is aged in oak casks for twelve years. This iteration of Irish whiskey is my favorite from Knappogue Castle because of its versatility and drinkability. 

The aroma of the whiskey is of pepper and spice, while the taste offers some fruity balance to the distinct spiciness. The smooth finish keeps whiskey lovers coming back for more. The 12-year version is also crafted and matured at the refurbished castle in Cork County, Ireland. 

Jameson is a blended Irish whiskey and a global phenomenon. It is the best-selling Irish whiskey internationally. In fact, in 2019, the distillery sold eight million cases of Jameson globally. What's more, the spirit has been available outside Ireland since the early 19th century, and today it is available for purchase in over 130 countries!

When you pour a shot of Jameson, you know you are drinking whiskey because of the distinct smell, but other notes like honey and pear open as you take a second smell. The alcohol heavily influences the taste, but other fruity notes are also available. The finish is heavy with malt and oak. It is a perfect Irish whiskey for making cocktails. 

James Power was an innkeeper from Dublin who established a distillery at his public house In 1791. Then, throughout generations, the Power family has continually distilled the delicious Powers Gold Label.

The "gold label" has a unique history. The Powers distillery was one of the first in the world to bottle their whiskey, so the gold label, used originally, is a continual reminder of the distillery's lasting legacy.

Once poured, the whiskey smells like warm sugar, and the taste is distinctly honey and nuts with a hint of spice. The whiskey's long-lasting finish leaves your mouth with an oaky and spicy flavor. 

Redbreast 15 Year Irish Whiskey is crafted from a mash of malted and unmalted barley; then, it is triple distilled in a copper pot still. The Redbreast brand is affiliated with the Jameson distillery. Redbreast was absent from the Irish whiskey market for most of the 1980s and 1990s but was relaunched in 1999. 

The maltiness of the Redbreast 15-year is highlighted with a caramel, spice, and toffee smell. The spirit's taste matches the smell with an additional hint of wood, adding dimension to the spirit. A cinnamon aftertaste highlights the medium finish. 

Slane Irish Whiskey is a non-traditional Irish whiskey. Notably, it is a triple casked whiskey that has spent time in multiple barrels, making it distinctly complex. The distillery is located in Meath, Ireland, just north of Dublin. I think this whiskey is the perfect spirit to bring to a party or share with a friend.

With the smell of fruit, caramel, and vanilla, the whiskey is inviting. Upon having my first sip, I enjoyed the sherry and butterscotch flavors. The website lists various options for cocktails with Slane Irish Whiskey, and I would recommend making the cold brew with coffee and whiskey. 

Teeling Distillery produces Irish whiskey in a distillery in Dublin. Brothers Jack and Stephen Teeling opened The Teeling Whiskey Company in 2015, making it the first new distillery to open in Dublin in about 125 years! The small batch is a great gift for the whiskey lover in your life. 

Teeling Small Batch Irish is a traditional Irish whiskey, but what sets it apart is that the small-batch has been finished in rum casks rather than the traditional sherry casks that many other makers use. The smell is strong of dried fruit with molasses and spice notes, and the taste maintains that decadence with a hint of vanilla. 

Like many Irish whiskeys, The Tyrconnell has a long, storied past. The first iteration of the single grain dates back to 1762. Unfortunately, between 1925 and 1988, the Tyrconnell Single Malt was not produced; things changed when the Cooley Distillery picked up the brand and resumed production.

The light-colored spirit has a fun label with a jockey riding a horse, letting drinkers know they are in for an exciting ride. The initial smell of the whiskey is light and floral with notes of honey, but the taste reveals a toasty sweetness akin to the taste of a caramelized banana. It's a delicious spirit, and I am glad it has returned to the market! 

The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey is mysteriously distilled—it is not public information about which Irish distillery is claiming this unique blend. The labeling is a skeleton wearing a top hat, which only adds to the mystery. We do know the incredible flavors have been crafted by Alex Thomas, one of a few female master blenders in the industry!

The Sexton is aged in sherry casks for about four years, so the initial smell includes a hint of sherry as well as apples, malt, and citrus. I poured a glass on the rocks, and the taste is mellow with notes of sherry, cinnamon, and nuts. I recommend drinking this one neat or on the rocks; it is too delicious on its own for mixing!