The Best Irish Whiskies to Try at Least Once

Jameson is a classic Irish whiskey that’s been around for over 200 years. Their Black Barrel expression is aged in double-charred bourbon barrels, giving it a rich and intense flavour with notes of vanilla, spice, and toasted oak.

Fact about the distillery: Jameson is the best-selling Irish whiskey brand in the world.
Nosing notes: Sweet with hints of vanilla and caramel.
Tasting notes: Bold with flavours of spices and toasted oak.
Try it if you like: Bulleit Bourbon.

Bushmills is another well-known Irish whiskey brand and their Red Bush expression is a great introduction to Irish whiskey for those who prefer a smoother, less complex flavour. It’s aged in bourbon casks, giving it a sweet and mellow taste with notes of vanilla and caramel.

Fact about the distillery: Bushmills is the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland, with a history that dates back to 1608.
Nosing notes: Sweet with hints of honey and vanilla.
Tasting notes: Smooth with flavours of caramel and toasted oak.
Try it if you like: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.

Tullamore Dew is a popular Irish whiskey brand that has been around for over 180 years. Their signature expression is a triple-distilled blend of grain and malt whiskies, giving it a smooth and mellow taste with notes of honey and spice.

Fact about the distillery: Tullamore Dew was originally distilled in the town of Tullamore in County Offaly, but the distillery was closed down in the 1950s. The brand is now owned by William Grant & Sons.
Nosing notes: Sweet with hints of honey and vanilla.
Tasting notes: Smooth with flavours of honey and spice.
Try it if you like: The Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Old.

Powers is a lesser-known Irish whiskey brand, but their Gold Label expression is definitely worth trying. It’s a blend of pot still and grain whiskies, giving it a unique flavour profile with notes of spice, vanilla, and honey.

Fact about the distillery: Powers was originally founded in Dublin in the late 1700s, but the brand is now owned by Irish Distillers.
Nosing notes: Spicy with hints of vanilla and honey.
Tasting notes: Smooth with flavours of spices, vanilla, and honey.
Try it if you like: Glenlivet 12 Year Old.

Teeling is a relatively new Irish whiskey brand, but their Small Batch expression has already won numerous awards for its unique flavour profile. It’s aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in rum casks, giving it a sweet and spicy taste with notes of vanilla, toffee, and cinnamon.

Fact about the distillery: Teeling is a family-owned distillery located in the heart of Dublin.
Nosing notes: Sweet with hints of vanilla, toffee, and cinnamon.
Tasting notes: Spicy with flavours of vanilla, toffee, and cinnamon.
Try it if you like: Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old.

Redbreast is a premium Irish whiskey brand that’s known for their single pot still whiskies. Their 12 Year Old expression is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, giving it a rich and complex flavour with notes of dried fruit, spice, and honey.

Fact about the distillery: The Midleton Distillery is the largest distillery in Ireland, producing a variety of Irish whiskies from many different brands.
Nosing notes: Floral, with notes of honey and vanilla
Tasting notes: Smooth and balanced, with hints of fruit and spice

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is a collaboration between Jameson and a local craft brewery. The whiskey is finished in stout-seasoned barrels, which gives it a unique flavour profile with notes of coffee and cocoa.

Fact about the distillery: Jameson is produced by Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, and is the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world.
Nosing notes: Cocoa, coffee, vanilla
Tasting notes: Smooth and creamy, with a nutty finish
Try it if you like: Dalmore 12 Year Old

Writer’s Tears Copper Pot is a blend of single malt and single pot still Irish whiskey. It is aged in American oak casks, which give it a smooth and creamy texture with notes of honey and spice.

Fact about the distillery: Writer’s Tears is produced by Walsh Whiskey, an independent distillery in County Carlow.
Nosing notes: Honey, vanilla, ginger
Tasting notes: Creamy and smooth, with a spicy finish
Try it if you like: The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood

Started as a Christmas present for my Dad, Summerton Whisky Club is the full bottle whisky subscription that I opened up to all to let drinkers enjoy this delicious whisky journey too.

Now every two months I deliver a full bottle of whisky or whiskey to doorsteps across the UK and Europe.
I do the hard work searching for great whiskies to share, ones you wouldn’t find in the supermarket, so you can enjoy the drinking.

Every delivery is a surprise, I take our Members on a journey through the world of amazing whisky and whiskey.

Find out more about this unique whiskey experience at the How It Works page.