FORBE’S BEST IRISH WHISKEYS: 15 SUPERB BOTTLES FOR PATRICK’S DAY AND BEYOND
I’ve been a brown liquor kind of gal for a substantial number of years—with Scotch and Cognac being closest to my heart.
But when March comes around, I switch over to the wonderful whiskeys (plus obscure gins) from the Emerald Isle. And for good reason. Think about it: Have you ever had a truly abysmal and undrinkable Irish whiskey? Something you would actually walk away from? I have not. Most Irish whiskeys are just solid no-nonsense choices for real (and enthusiastic) imbibers. The “worst” experience I’ve ever had was a weak pour of an expression that was satisfactory—not mindblowing, but most certainly drinkable.
And I’m not alone in my thinking. Others have started to really appreciate the merits of Irish whiskey.
According to David Ozgo, the chief economist at the Distilled Spirits Council, Irish whiskey sales were up by $1.1 billion in revenues for distillers. That translates to a 5.6 percent growth, which is not insignificant. Simply put, a staggering 4.9 million nine-liter cases were sold in America in 2019 alone. If Irish whiskeys continue in this trajectory—and if retaliatory tariffs don’t hamper the industry’s growth—the category is positioned to surpass Scotch in several years.
Beyond that, William Lavelle, the head of the Irish Whiskey Association confirmed that for the first time, a record million-plus tourists visited distilleries and brand visitor centers last year—with many (34 percent) hailing from the United States and Canada. And that’s saying something.
But where to begin? Between the different types of Irish whiskey (single malt, single pot still, grain, and blended) it can be quite daunting. So I enlisted Public House Collective’s Kenneth McCoy—the chief creative officer at Ward III and The Rum House—to curate a good mix of several bottles. Many are easy-to-find staples, which I would recommend for parties, gatherings, and other St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. And a few are what I like to call “grail whiskeys,” which will be significantly more expensive and harder to find. (For those, enjoy them with your close friends and family...there’s no need to bring a $1000 bottle to a casual gathering where half the people will be drinking Guinness.)
Green Spot 10 Year Irish Whiskey ($333)
“Not to be confused with the regular NAS (No Age Statement) Green Spot, this whiskey is a great mingling of sherry and bourbon,” McCoy says. “It’s a limited-edition with only 1000 bottles released in 2005. This one is very mild, so it's hard to believe it’s a 10-year whiskey. It’s almost oily; it’s light in color; and tastes of honey, cereal, and vanilla. I recommend this neat.”
West Cork Bourbon Cask Irish Whiskey ($25)
“If you like bourbon, this is for you. It’s delightful over ice. It’s got a sweetness that stays with you obviously because of the barrels—but the mash bill of heavy grain and malt helps too. The whiskey makes for easy drinking with cinnamon baking spice and slight pepper notes.”
Knappogue Castle 1951 ($2,008)
“If you’re lucky enough to have a taste you’ll understand why it’s so rare,” McCoy says. “I was lucky to taste this a very long time ago—but I didn’t know then what I know now. It’s aged in two types of wood (sherry and bourbon) but I feel it has much more of a bourbon finish, which I appreciate. Good luck getting some.”
Redbreast 25 Year Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey ($958)
“All-sherry single cask. Another rare and limited bottling of 600, it was made especially for The Friend at Hand Belfast connected with the Duke of York Bar—I was lucky to snag bottle number 214 out of 600. Well worth the price, which I believe was around $450 back then.”
Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey ($35)
“Sweet and woody with hints of vanilla; just lovely to sip on. The taste is exceptionally crisp, giving fruit and honey with a hint of spearmint. It packs a punch even at 80 proof but smooth and it’s got a great price point at under $30.”
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey ($40)
“Aged in rum casks that obviously give it a sweet bite. This is a go-to over ice or neat, it’s got attitude.”
Powers Irish Whiskey Gold Label ($35)
“They say everyone remembers their first time. Well, how could I forget it? This is Irish whiskey at its finest” McCoy says. “Call me biased but I’ve always been a fan. It’s got a kick coming in at 86 proof (something that a lot of other Irish whiskies lack)—followed by mild spices, wood, honey, and cinnamon.”
Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey ($217)
“Released yearly since 1984, and aged anywhere from 12 to 20 years, this expression is a mashup of pot still and grain whiskies.”
Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey ($42)
“The only peated single malt on the market. I’m generally partial to the Scottish single malts, but this one is extraordinarily special: tastes like baked apple pie with smoke.”
Knappogue Castle 14 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey ($65)
“Super smooth, fruity, and nutty. My favorite among the line—but obviously if you can get a hold of the 1951, that will change your mind, believe me!”
Dingle Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey ($100)
“The first from the Dingle Distillery aged in Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels. Good juice,” McCoy says. “The Pedro Ximénez gives the whiskey an extra sweetness. It also adds tastes of dried fruits like raisins and has a syrup-like quality.”
Bushmills 16–Year Old Irish Whiskey ($120)
“A top whiskey, without a doubt. Lots of sherry, nut spice, and fruit. Bushmills 16 Year is best served neat in a double rocks glass, preferably next to a roaring fire.”
J.J. Corey Irish Whiskey: The Gael ($84)
“This is a delightful blend of three single malts aged 11, 15, and 26 years—plus a seven-year grain from the Chapel Gate Whiskey company” McCoy says. “There’s something special about this because it’s pure and simple, especially when compared to the later releases. The Flintlock 16 Year obviously has more age to it, and the Battalion has a bit too much fruit and smoke due to the tequila and mezcal barrels, so the Gael release really hits a sweet spot.”
Redbreast 12 Year Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey ($55)
“This was always a mainstay in my early bartending career because I've never been a Jameson fan,” McCoy says. “And to be honest this is a wonderful sipping whiskey neat or maybe a rock (or two) to allow the fruit to pop out. I still go back to it today even with all that’s on the market now. It’s well-crafted Irish whiskey. My romance with Red Breast is due to the fact that it’s a 12-year-old whiskey that has body—plus nutty spice and a warm sweetness to it. I prefer it served neat.”
Yellow Spot 12 Year Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey ($77)
“Aged in three exceptional casks of bourbon, sherry, and Malaga, the finishes deliver a brighter sweetness to it.”
Karla Alindahao. Senior Contributor - ForbesLife