A Drinker’s Guide to Irish Whiskey

Although quite unbelievable, Irish whiskey has made a comeback in recent years after decades of dwindling numbers and standards. There was a time when Irish whiskey was the only type of whiskey that got any respect around the world, and now the drink is getting back some of its former glory. If you too wish to try the “water of life” from Ireland, here’s a rundown of how whiskies are defined there.

Pot Still Whiskey

At the heart of the whiskey-making process in Ireland and pot-stilled whiskeys from some distilleries are highly sought-after products. These Irish whiskeys generally have very unique and unforgettable tastes. Pot-stilled whiskies have a creamy nose but are big on spice and not so much on the sweetness.

Grand Age Statement Whiskey

These are the Irish whiskeys that everyone knows and loves. For example, Jameson’s whiskies and its expressions. Particularly, in this case, the Jameson 18-Year-Old expression with its round and sweet flavors comes to mind. This premium whiskey is perfectly balanced and does not sacrifice the Irish kick, which usually is the case with modern Irish whiskeys.

Peated Irish Whiskey

Only one Irish whiskey claims the mantle of being a peated one, and that’s Connemara. This single grain whiskey has Speyside tendencies and not nearly as Irish as we would like it. But it’s a good dram and the whiskey does offer some common Irish notes, such as an upfront honey sweetness and a vanillic finish with a splash of peat.

Blended Irish Whiskeys

Malty and sweet, blended Irish whiskeys are much spicier on the palate and have a much rounder nose, with fruity undertones and a vanillic coat. Once again Jameson is perhaps the best-known example of a blended Irish whiskey in the world and has definitely outlasted other brands due to its high-quality.

Single Grain Irish Whiskey

A few distilleries produce the light and spritely Irish grain whiskeys which are typically considered neutral spirits. These whiskeys have tones of cinnamon and vanilla on the finish and are often aged in red wine barrels or bourbon barrels sourced from the United States.

Jameson Whiskey

The universal blend of Jameson is a blended Irish whiskey produced by Pernod Ricard. Jameson is one of the six main Dublin Whiskeys; this Irish whiskey is distilled at the New Middleton Distillery. Jameson is by far the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world with an annual sale of over 8 million cases. The hugely popular Irish blend is renowned for its affinity with ginger ale.