Irish whiskey: 12 recommendations for 2024

Irish whiskey: 12 recommendations for 2024

Powers Rye

Powers Irish Whiskey, in particular the John's Lane 12 Year Single Pot Still, has often been overlooked but deserves more attention. Powers Rye is characterised by a long-lasting flavour, impressive spiciness and a balanced sweetness. The blend of 100% Irish rye and maturation in American oak barrels gives this Powers expression character and depth. Although it says "Triple Distilled" on the bottle, it may have been distilled in a column still with bottles available from €40.

Redbreast Aged 12 Years Cask Strength 2023

Redbreast, which takes its name from the robin that winters in Ireland, launches a cask strength bottling every year. The 12-year-old Redbreast Cask Strength whiskey bottling is triple-distilled in copper stills and matured in American oak casks previously used for bourbon as well as in Oloroso sherry butts made from Spanish oak. Not for beginners, as the Irish pot still whiskey is bottled at an impressive 57.2% vol. without the addition of colouring or chill-filtering, of course. The 2023 vintage is an outstanding single malt whiskey with both bourbon and rum aromas and flavours. It is slightly spicy, woody, tangy and with hints of roasted flavours and cinnamon buns and belongs on every Irish whiskey lover's shelf.

Midleton Barry Crocket Legacy 2022

The Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy 2022 is an exclusive Irish whiskey that is matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks. The bottling was produced in honour of the former Master Distiller Barry Crockett, who worked at the distillery for 47 years. This single pot still whiskey is known for its complex variety of flavours and creamy texture. With over 30 prestigious awards, the bottling is a tribute to the man who shaped the Midleton style and is the first Master Distiller after John Jameson to have an Irish Distillers product named after him. Jim Murray also paid tribute to this bottling, making it the best Irish whiskey of 2021

Jameson 15 Remastered

The Jameson 15 Year Old Remastered is a single pot still whiskey and, as an offshoot of the "Anthology" series, the first to honour the rich tradition of the Irish whiskey style. Originally conceived in the late 18th century, it was reworked in the 1990s by Barry Crockett, the Master Distiller at the time, and celebrated as a classic. Now Master Distiller Kevin O'Gorman has created a "Remastered" that retains the original recipe but incorporates modern techniques. This whiskey is limited to 2220 bottles, matured in bourbon and sherry casks, bottled unfiltered at 56.4% vol. and offers a rich sweetness, toasted oak and complex spices. The Jameson Anthology is a collection of unique and rare Irish whiskeys that reinterpret the past and we are excited to see what follows.

Writers Tears Copper Pot

Writers Tears Copper Pot is an unusual classic, made from triple distilled single malt and single pot still whiskey, with no added grain whiskey. This blend is matured in burnt bourbon barrels and has an alcohol content of 40%. The brand name of the whiskey honours the rich tradition of Irish writers, where it is said that their tears are made of pure whiskey. This whiskey is described by connoisseurs as unusual, as it combines the spiced pure pot still tradition with floral single malt and has a rich flavour with slightly citrusy, floral notes. On the one hand, it fits into the concept of a classic, but on the other, it is not quite classic.

Green Spot

The Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a great Irish whiskey speciality, bottled exclusively for Mitchell and Son from Dublin, a 4th generation whiskey bonder. The bottling is made exclusively from malted barley and has a more oily texture. It is matured for at least eight years in first-fill bourbon and refill bourbon casks, as well as in used sherry casks, which results in a full and aromatic mouthfeel. On the nose, there are fruity peach notes, vanilla and wood, accompanied by a hint of malt. The palate is full, flavoursome and complex, with sweet malt and various spices. The long, dry finish shows subtle sweetness and some pepper. Green Spot is part of the new "Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys" category and is distilled using the traditional method in a pot still in Midleton. We say, a classic for every home bar.

Tullamore DEW Caribbean Rum Cask Finish

Our starter for whisky newcomers is the Tullamore DEW Caribbean Rum Cask Finish - a tribute to the Irish immigrants in the 17th century who contributed to the development of Caribbean rum. It is matured in barrels with a Caribbean XO rum finish and offers an exotic interplay of flavours with nuances of tropical fruits, caramel, sultanas, bananas and dates. The tropical-fruity flavour comes from the first fill rum casks. The Original Triple Blend Irish Whiskey is triple distilled, made from three types of whiskey and matured in different casks, which harmonises perfectly with the Caribbean rum character. The distinctive sweetness makes this the perfect whisky to drink neat for the first time.

Waterford The Cuvée

The Cuvée bottling from Waterford is a single malt whisky that has been blended from 25 different single farm whiskies. It was matured in various cask types, including first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, oak casks with a wine finish and vin doux natural casks. With 50% vol. not necessarily something for beginners, unless you are one of the brave ones. The aroma of the bottling offers notes of red apples, freshly baked bread, coffee cake, oranges and mint. The flavour is strong with dark chocolate, cherry, grapefruit, citrus and cereals. The finish is medium-long and complex with spices, chocolate and salted caramel. This is a special bottling as Waterford combines terroirs from different growing areas and tries to reflect the "terroir" of each area in the whisky. We say, great price - you have to try it.

Bushmills 30

Probably the most expensive bottling on our list and certainly only something for absolute Irish whiskey connoisseurs. Bushmills 30 Years Old Whiskey is a fantastic single malt which, as the name suggests, has been matured for at least 30 years. It is made from 100% malted barley and has been triple distilled. The elaborate maturation process initially took place in Oloroso sherry butts, followed by 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels, followed by a further 16 years in first-fill Pedro Ximénez casks. The 30 is strictly limited and Master Distiller Alex Thomas describes it as syrupy toffee on the nose, velvety smooth with sultanas, figs, cloves and orange peel on the palate and a long, complex finish of dried fruit and toffee. This whisky from Ireland is a must for connoisseurs.

Teeling Blackpitts

The Teeling Blackpitts Peated is the first smoky bottling, which meets the usual sweetness from the Teeling Distillery. The barley for this whiskey is peated, similar to Scotland. It is triple distilled and bottled at 46% vol. It is matured first in ex-bourbon barrels and then in Sauternes sweet wine barrels, which gives it a special complexity and fully exploits the flavour spectrum. Inspired by the old maltings in Ireland's capital, the bottling offers flavours of butterscotch, BBQ and oranges. The flavour is full-bodied with fruity notes of pineapple and apples as well as smoky and spicy tones. The finish is long-lasting and spicy sweet, with a mix of fruit, wood and smoke. We say complexity doesn't have to be expensive.

Midleton Very Rare 2023

The Midleton Very Rare 2023 is a second limited edition on our list, which is produced annually from the distillery's best casks. This Irish whiskey consists of single pot still and single grain whiskeys matured for between 12 and 33 years in lightly burnt bourbon casks. The bottles are individually numbered and even signed by Kevin O'Gorman, while at the same time the bottle is presented in the new, environmentally friendly collector's box. The Very Rare collection is a legend of Irish whiskies and is characterised by its smooth, balanced and creamy aroma, with notes of vanilla and a blend of different flavours such as roasted coffee, fruit and spices.

Glendalough 7 Year Old Mizunara Finish

Ireland meets Japan with this spectacular 7-year-old Glendalough Irish Whiskey. The bottling was matured in American oak and bourbon casks and then finished in Japanese Mizunara oak casks. The history of Glendalough goes back to the year 518, when St Kevin retreated into the Irish wilderness and performed legendary deeds there. Just typically Irish. This single malt whisky from Ireland is characterised by the coveted Mizunara oak from northern Japan, which is characterised by its drying process that can take up to three years and results in porous barrels that lend the whisky an exotic aroma. The whiskey offers floral and sweet notes on the nose and a lively, long-lasting flavour with spices from the Orient and a hint of dark chocolate on the finish.

Conclusion:

You can see more here:

• Everything you need to know about Irish whiskey