The best Irish whiskey is an utterly sippable spirit and the perfect way to more maturely raise a glass this March 17. So put down the Midori and Sour Apple Pucker. And yes, you, with the green beer — that’s quite enough. St. Patrick’s Day may have come a long way from its original religious roots in the Emerald Isle, but we’re here to say that this festive holiday can still be enjoyed with a simulacrum of sophistication.
Though many may have been introduced to Irish whiskey via the venerable mainstay Jameson, things have changed a lot in the last two decades. “In 2013, there were only four operating distilleries in Ireland. That number has grown to around 30 now,” says Jonathan Adler, beverage director of New York City’s trendy Shinji’s cocktail bar. In fact, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), it’s the high-end premium and super-premium brands that have been pulling folks in for a twee taste, allowing the Irish whiskey market to grow an unbelievable 932% and 6,000% in the two categories, respectively.
How is Irish whiskey different from other whiskeys around the world?
They may look similar, but not all whiskeys are created equal. “It has been highly contested whether the Irish or Scots actually created whiskey, but the differences between the two make it quite the exciting spirit to sip on,” Adler says, adding that his tastes skew toward Irish whiskeys with less malted grain, which tend to be on the lighter side.
The first thing to note is that there are several categories of Irish whiskey, including blended, single pot still, grain and single malt. But what truly sets Irish whiskeys apart are their looser specifications. “Irish whiskey is a relatively flexible term in that the whiskey needs only to be made in Ireland and aged for a minimum of three years from any yeast-fermented mash of cereal grains,” says Brett Esler, a bartender at Murray’s Tavern in Austin, Texas. “This allows for very diverse flavor profiles across the spirit category as a whole in comparison to its popular counterparts like bourbon and scotch, which are a bit more bound to their legal requirements.”
How to choose an Irish whiskey
But why should you give it a try and what do you need to know before you decide on a bottle? “Irish whiskey is perhaps the most approachable category of whiskey for newcomers. Most Irish whiskeys (but not all) are triple distilled, which gives them an extra smoothness that can be lacking in many other types of whiskey,” says Mark Gillespie, host of the WhiskyCast podcast. “Look for the creaminess in a blended Irish whiskey, while single pot still will have a lot of baking spices on the nose and palate. Single malts will generally combine the two with barley-sugar sweetness.”
Patrick Watson, wine and spirits educator at Smith & Vine, a wine store in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, sees Irish whiskey sales picking up considerably around this time of year. And he’s a fan. “What I love about Irish whiskey is … it has a rich viscosity and rarely burns like some other high-alcohol whiskeys,” he adds.
Of course, if you’re playing it safe with wine this year, or want to join the fun without the alcohol, there are plenty of other options as well. But if you decide to pick up a bottle of Irish whiskey before you paint the town green this St. Patrick’s Day, here are six of our favorite bottles.
Why not try a spin on an old favorite? Jameson claims its Black Barrel Irish whiskey is the most sippable option, and we tend to agree. A triple-distilled, single pot still Irish whiskey with tons of flavor, it’s also aged for up to 16 years, making it rich, sweet and higher in alcohol content. We especially love that smoky charred first whiff.
Named after the Natterjack toad, indigenous to — you guessed it, Ireland — this recently launched, triple-distilled spirit bills itself as an Irish whiskey with an American accent. The blend here is 20% malted barley and 80% corn, which is then finished in American oak barrels, giving it an ultra-smooth and gentle flavor with toffee, vanilla and even cinnamon undertones. Plus, the fabulous illustration on the bottle makes this a perfect gift for any whiskey lover.
Crafted in a distillery located at Slane Castle, just a wee drive from Dublin, this premium, triple-distilled blend of three casks offers a first note of heavier spice, then mellows to sweet with subtle hints of butterscotch and banana. But we most appreciated its toasty finish?— and the fact that it’s priced right. And did we mention Slane grows its own barley on site for brewing?
Ready for something a little different? Powers is the first ever Irish whiskey made from 100% Irish rye mash — and it’s worth a taste. Matured in American oak barrels, this is a lighter gold color than the other whiskeys we tried, and the flavor swings sweet to balance out the earthy spice. Plus, it sips smoother than typical American ryes.
Microdistilleries are all the rage, so it makes perfect sense that Irish whiskey gets the same treatment. This single-pot whiskey created by the master distillers of Midleton Distillery in County Cork has a unique, almost earthy nose — mainly due to the Garryana oak barrels it’s matured in,?swiped from the Pacific Northwest. Though a splurge at just under $100, this is one smooth operator, and we adored the complex tastes of sweet golden raisins and crushed black pepper.
For many, Redbreast represents their first foray into the upscale version of Irish whiskey, and this 12 year old spirit is the perfect introduction to those who haven’t tried it yet. A mix of malted and unmalted barleys and aged in both sherry and bourbon casks, this single pot still whiskey is so easy to drink — with a sweet nose, a creamy, nutty taste and dry yet spicy finish.
