Irish whisky's global influence is expanding rapidly, marked by the rapid growth in the number and quality of distilleries: the number of whiskey distilleries operating in Ireland has increased from four to more than 40 over the past decade, and craft distilleries have sprung up everywhere. In 2021, Ireland achieved a record 14 million cases (9 litres/carton) worldwide, with exports exceeding €1 billion for the first time in 2022.
The dramatic increase in distilleries and liquorries, as well as sales around the world, means that Irish whiskey is being tasted and drunk more and more. However, compared with the understanding of Scotch whisky, the vast majority of people know less about Irish whisky, and there are even many misunderstandings.
Below, I will give you a brief introduction to the categories, brands, regulations, misconceptions, and recommended liquors of Irish whiskey.
There are also many categories of Irish whisky, including single malt whisky, single pot still, single grain whisky and blended whisky. They must all be distilled and aged on the island of Ireland and must be aged for no less than 3 years in oak barrels no larger than 700 litres and bottled with an alcohol content of not less than 40% ABV.
It is worth mentioning that many Irish whiskey distilleries produce more than one type of whiskey. For example, Teeling Distillery, which opened in 2015, produces whisky in the four categories mentioned above. Even classic brands like Powers, which are mainly blended whiskies, but also produce some single-pot distilled whiskies.
- SINGLE MALT
Irish single malt whisky is made from 100% malt and distilled and matured in the same distillery (hence the name "single"), which must be carried out in batches through traditional pot stills. Bushmills is a pioneering distillery, and other notable single malt whisky brands include Knapogue Castle and Dingle.
- SINGLE POT STILL
Single pot distilled whisky is a whisky category unique to Ireland. Like single malt whisky, it must be distilled using a traditional pot still in a single distillery in Ireland. However, the ratio of raw materials used is a mixture of malt and unmalted barley, and the proportion of malt and unmalted barley cannot be less than 30%. In addition, it is allowed to add no more than 5% of other grains, such as oats or wheat.
The more well-known single-pot distilled whiskies include Redbreast and Spotted Whisky (with green, yellow, red, blue and gold dots), both produced at New Middleton Distilleries in Cork, as well as Glendalough, Drumshanbo and Writers' Tears.
- SINGLE GRAIN WHISKY
The grains used in single grain whisky are malt, unsprouted barley, wheat, rye and corn. There are no regulations on the type of still used, but column continuous stills are often employed, which is a less expensive and continuous and efficient production method.
Single grain whisky is mainly used in blended whisky in Ireland, but some single grain whisky bottles can also be found on the market, such as Dilin, Method and Madness, which are produced at the micro-experimental distillery of the Middleton Distillery.
- BLENDED WHISKEY
Blended whisky is usually a blend of two or more single malt whiskies, single pot distilled whiskies, or single grain whiskies. Ireland's best-selling whisky, Jameson, is a blend of grain whiskey and single-pot distilled whisky. Other notable blended whisky brands include Midleton Very Rare, Proper No.12 and Roe & Co. Notably, Tullamore D.E.W. blends single malt whisky, single pot distilled whisky and single grain whisky.
There are also Irish blends that do not contain grain whisky, such as Irishman's Harvest line, which blends single malt whisky and single pot distilled whisky.
- Some misconceptions about Irish whiskey
1. "All Irish whiskey is distilled three times".
Mistake. Many Irish whiskies are distilled tertiary but not legal, and many are distilled twice, such as Tyrconnell Single Malt and Kilbeggan Blended Irish Whiskey.
2. "Irish whiskey has no peat flavor"
Mistake. There is already a growing number of Irish peat-flavoured whiskies, such as Connemara (also with secondary distillation), Dilin's Blackpitts, and Waterford (which is exploring indigenous Irish peat flavours), and its recent Fenniscourt and Ballybannon are peat-flavored.
- Recommended wines
Best Overall Irish Whiskey: Redbreast 15 Years Old
Best Ultra-Aged Irish Whiskey: Teeling 32 Year Old Single Malt
Best Single Malt Irish Whiskey: Bushmills 21 Year
4.Best Single Grain Irish Whiskey: Method and Madness Single Grain
Best Cask-Finished Irish Whiskey: Glendalough 7 Year Old Mizunara Cask
6.Best Cask Strength Irish Whiskey: High N' Wicked The Wild Rover
Best Newcomer Irish Whiskey: Waterford Whisky Gaia Organic 2.1
Best Under Irish Whiskey $100: Green Spot
Best Irish Whiskey Under $50: Writer's Tears Copper Pot
10.Best Splurge Irish Whiskey: Midleton Very Rare
Great Sue: WSET (International Foundation for Wine and Spirits Education) Advanced Certification, SMWA (Scottish Single Malt College) Advanced Certification, dedicated to the educational promotion of wine and spirits. Welcome to follow.