These are the top 12 Irish whiskeys you need on your shelf
Love Irish whiskey? Here’s what you’re missing…
For centuries, the island of Ireland has been a premier source of some of the world's finest whiskeys. Today, Irish whiskey is seeing a huge resurgence, capturing the hearts and minds of whiskey lovers everywhere.
Irish whiskey is likely the oldest whiskey industry in the world. Developing alongside the Scotch industry, there are similarities between the two. However production philosophies and global events have ensured that Irish whiskey remains a distinct category with flavour profiles, brands, distilleries and independent bottlers that bring colour and character to the world of whiskey.
With over 800 years of distillation knowledge, it is no surprise that Irish distillers went on to influence the American whisky industry, the Scotch industry and the Cognac industry, such was the quality of the light, smooth and easy to drink spirit coming from the island.
If you are looking to explore the whiskies of the Emerald Isle, look no further than the Whisky Club's guide to the best Irish whiskies.
Join the Club free now – it's the only way to get your hands on the Club's exclusive, award-winning Irish whiskeys.
What are the key characteristics of an Irish whiskey?
Irish whiskey tends to be light, smooth, complex and fruity in style. This is due to the process of triple distillation. Very few Irish whiskey distilleries use peat smoke, so finding a peated example can be a nice surprise.
What defines Irish whiskey?
To legally be called an Irish whiskey it must:
- be distilled in Ireland
- be matured in Ireland in wooden casks no larger than 700L
- be matured for a minimum of 3 years
There are 4 main types of Irish whiskey:
Single malt Irish whiskey is Irish whiskey produced from 100% malted barley in pot stills at a single distillery.
Single grain Irish whiskey is Irish whiskey produced using any whole grains in column stills at a single distillery.
Pure Pot Still Irish whiskey is Irish whiskey that uses a mixture of malted and unmalted barley in the mashbill and distilled in pot stills at a single distillery. There must be a minimum 30% malted barley and 30% unmalted barley in the mash bill.
Blended Irish whiskey is Irish whiskey married together from more than one style of Irish whiskey or more than one distillery.
The Redbreast 10 Year Old Distillery exclusive was created by Dave McCabe and his team at Midleton to celebrate the single pot still style of Irish whiskey and to reward fans of Irish whiskey for making the pilgrimage to the distillery. It has only been availabel once outside of Ireland, and that is to Members of The Whisky Club.
This is a single pot still whiskey married from Oloroso and Pedro Ximinez casks, virgin oak casks and American oak ex-Bourbon barrels. This creates a whiskey of richness, depth spice and complexity. To add even more weight and depth, Dave added some heavier pot still style whiskey. This is a style usually reserved for older Redbreast expressions.
We found aromas of blackcurrant, orange zest and ginger.
Redbreast 10 Year Old Distillery Exclusive specs
Age: 10 years old
ABV: 43%
RRP: $130.00
Read more: Redbreast 10 Year Old Distillery Exclusive
Bushmills The Christmas Causeway - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Bushmills, Ireland’s oldest distillery, has once again created a Causeway Collection release exclusively for the Whisky Club. The follow up to The Whisky Club’s 2024 Whisky of the Year, The Christmas Causeway has gone back to more traditional maturation techniques.
As with all of our Bushmills single malts, this one has been triple distilled. It has then been matured exclusively in first fill Oloroso Sherry casks from the Paez Lobata bodega for 12 years to develop all of the Christmas aromas and flavours we want at this time of year.
This is the first ever Christmas whiskey from Bushmills, and it is your December 2025 Whisky of the month.
We found notes of Warm honey, ripe fruits layered with waves of kitchen spices and toasted oak.
Bushmills The Christmas Causeway specs
Age: 12 Years Old
ABV: 51.6%
RRP: $140.00
Read more: Bushmills The Christmas Causeway - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Redbreast is an Irish pure pot still whiskey brand distilled at the Midleton Distillery in Ireland. It is made from a mashbill of malted and unmalted barley giving Redbreast it's signature malty, velvety and slightly peppery mouthfeel.
For the Redbreast PX Edition, head blender Billy Leighton took Redbreast from Bourbon casks and Oloroso Sherry casks and married them together. This marriage was then finished in Pedro Ximinez Sherry casks from Bodegas Paez Morilla. The result is a multi-award winning Irish whiskey that scored a double gold medal at San Francisco.
Our tasting notes included cinnamon, vanilla biscuits, chocolate and baking spices.
Redbreast PX Edition specs
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
RRP: $150.00
Read more: Redbreast PX Edition
Dunville’s 13 Year Old Cigar Malt - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
One of the early titans of the Irish industry, Belfast-based Dunville’s were the toast of the north for over a hundred years before a series of family disasters saw the distillery shuttered.
Resurrected in 2012 by The Echlinville Distillery, they’ve since won an absolute swag of awards for rich, sherried whiskies, and this is no exception: matured in a combination of Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Palo Cortado Sherry, and ex-Bourbon casks – and featuring a nice amount of overaged liquid – it took out Best Small Batch Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2025.
We found a lovely rich nose of custard, blackberry, bread and butter pudding, dark-roasted coffee bean, and allspice.
Dunville's 13 Year Old Cigar Malt specs
Age: 13 years old
ABV: 46.1%
RRP: $145.00
Read more: Dunville’s 13 Year Old Cigar Malt - created exclusively for The Whisky Club.
Yellow Spot is a pure pot still whiskey from Midleton distillery in County Cork. Combining a mixture of malted and unmalted barley in the mash, it is triple distilled before being aged for twelve years. It matures in a combination of Bourbon casks, Sherry casks and Malaga casks.
The name Yellow Spot pays homage to the tradition of using spots of paint to mark casks for bottling. A yellow spot of paint indicated the whiskey should be kept for 12 years. Other expressions in the range include Blue Spot, Green Spot and Red Spot. Each one having a unique cask maturation recipe and minimum age statement.
We found notes of clove oil, sweet honey, peaches and toasted oak in this one.
Yellow Spot 12 Year Old specs
Age: 12 years old
ABV: 46%
RRP: $160.00
Read more: Yellow Spot 12 Year Old
Method & Madness is an experimental brand of Irish whiskey distilled at a microdistillery at Midleton in County Cork. The Method & Madness releases are collaborations between Midleton's master distillers and apprentices. Discussions on the distilling floor lead to new techniques being tried, new casks being coopered and imaginative ways of evolving the Irish whiskey category.
Single malt whiskey, pot still whiskey, grain whiskey and blends are all released under the brand removing as many barriers as possible from the distillers' creative process to find new experiences for whiskey fans around the world.
This Method & Madness Single Pot Still release is a true combination of the old and the new. It combines the production of pure pot still whiskey matured in Bourbon and Sherry casks - something Midleton have a reputation for - with the exploration of non-oak casks for secondary maturation. This one was finished in French chestnut casks.
We found flavours of baked apple, ripe banana, tobacco, ginger and clove in this one.
Method & Madness Single Pot Still specs
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
RRP: $95.00
Read more: Method & Madness Single Pot Still
Connemara Cask Strength
Unique for Irish whiskey, Connemara Cask Strength is bottled at the strength it comes out of the cask, typically between 57% and 60%, meaning each batch is a slightly different ABV and requires its own label.
Connemara Cask Strength is mildly peated at 20PPM, using Scottish peated malted barley. Matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks, it combines the typical Irish smooth sweetness with an Islay style smoky punch.
Dunville’s 24 Year Old Pedro Ximinez Cask Finish Single Cask - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Dunville's is an Irish whiskey brand from Belfast that was relaunched in 2012. The owners of Echlinville distillery bought the brand and today use it to release third party blends and single malts under this once famous label.
Dunville's single malts are known for their richness and complexity as well as their use of fortified wine casks. Oloroso Sherry, Madeira, Palo Cortado and Pedro Ximinez have all been used to finish their single malt portfolio.
The Dunville's 24 Year Old Pedro Ximinez release is the second oldest Dunville's release ever. It was matured in first fill Bourbon casks for 10 years before being re-racked into fresh Bourbon casks for 7 years and finally being finished in Pedro Ximinez casks for its final 7 years. This was voted best Irish cask strength whiskey at the Irish Whiskey Awards 2025 and was bottled exclusively for The Whiskey Club.
We found notes of sticky date pudding, orange zest and apricot.
Dunville's 24 Year Old Pedro Ximinez Cask specs
Age: 24 years old
ABV: 54.7%
RRP: $595.00
Bushmills is on the north coast of Northern Ireland, not far from The Giant's Causeway. It is Ireland's oldest licensed distillery, having obtained a licence for making whiskey in 1608. It produces both single malt Irish whiskey and blended Irish whiskey. Bushmills single malt is triple distilled in copper pot stills and matured in a variety of oak casks.
The Bushmills 30 Year Old is matured in Bourbon barrels and Sherry butts for 14 years before it was finished in Pedro Ximinez casks for the final 16 years of its life. This is one of the oldest Irish whiskies ever released.
Our tasting notes include treacle toffee, figs and raisins.
Bushmills 30 Year Old specs
Age: 30 years old
ABV: 46%
RRP: $3,300.00
Read more: Bushmills 30 Year Old
Bushmills 2010 Double Moscatel Cask - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Bushmills is on the north coast of Northern Ireland, not far from The Giant's Causeway. It is Ireland's oldest licensed distillery, having obtained a licence for making whiskey in 1608. It produces both single malt Irish whiskey and blended Irish whiskey. Bushmills single malt is triple distilled in copper pot stills and matured in a variety of oak casks.
The 2010 Double Moscatel Cask was part of the Bushmills Causeway Collection bottled exclusively for The Whisky Club. The whiskey was shortlisted for Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey, scored a double gold at San Francisco and was voted the Whisky Club's whisky of the year in 2024.
It is a single vintage distilled in 2010 that started life maturing in first fill Oloroso Sherry casks before being finished in Moscatel casks from both Spain and Portugal. The whiskeymaker found the perfect strength for enjoying this release was a bold 49.1% ABV.
We found notes of peaches in syrup, jammy fruits, milk chocolate and raisins with a lifted floral finish.
Bushmills 2010 Double Moscatel Cask specs
Age: 13 years old
ABV: 49.1%
RRP: $140.00
Read more: Bushmills 2010 Double Moscatel Cask created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Jameson is Ireland's most famous and biggest selling whiskey brand. Originally produced in Dublin, it is now distilled at the Midleton Distillery in County Cork. Most Jameson whiskey is blended Irish whiskey.
Jameson Single Pot Still pays homage to the original recipe from the 1800s. Being a single pot still whiskey, this one is from a single distillery (Midleton), made from malted and unmalted barley, triple distilled and matured in 5 different cask types. Namely virgin Irish oak, virgin European oak, virgin American oak, Bourbon casks and Sherry casks.
Tasting notes include salted caramel, honeycomb, ginger and orange peel.
Jameson Single Pot Still - Five Oak Cask Release specs
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
RRP: $95
Midleton is a distillery in County Cork in Ireland. It produces the Jameson, Redbreast, Method & Madness, Powers, Spot and Midleton Irish Whiskey brands.
Midleton Very Rare is a collection of blended whiskies from the Midleton distillery released on an annual basis in small quantities. They contain triple distilled malt whiskies and old grain whiskies. Each release has been put together by one of only three master distillers: Barry Crockett, Brian Nation and Kevin O'Gorman. Each character has imposed a blending philosophy on each release ensuring that the complexity and beauty of each batch is unique. The Vintage collection began in 1985 and continues to this day.
The casks selected for the Midleton Very Rare 2023 Vintage were chosen by Kevin O'Gorman to deliver delicacy and complexity.
We found the whisky to be fruity and creamy with notes of antique oak, peaches, apricots and coffee beans.
Midleton Very Rare 2023 Vintage specs
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
RRP: $350.00
Read More: Midleton 2023 Vintage
There you have it. The top 12 Irish whiskeys you need to try. How many have you tasted? Not a Member yet? Join free now for the best whisk(e)y in the world, made just for you. Want to know more about Irish whiskey? Read on!
Irish Whiskey FAQs
What are the key Irish whiskey distilleries?
There has been an explosion of new Irish distilleries opening in recent years, but the bulk of the Irish whiskey on the market these days comes from a handful of distilleries.
Old Bushmills Distillery (County Antrim)
Old Bushmills Distillery produces single malt Irish whiskies. The distillery is home to the Bushmills single malt and blended whiskey ranges.
Midleton Distillery (County Cork)
Midleton distillery produces single malt, single pot still, single grain and blended Irish whiskies. It is home to Jameson, Redbreast, Spot Whiskey and the Method and Madness collection.
Cooley (County Louth)
Cooley is a distillery producing single malt and single grain Irish whiskeys. They produce peated and unpeated distillate using a double distillation process. It is home to Connemara, Kilbeggan and Tyrconnell.
Teeling (Dublin)
Teeling produces single malt, pure pot still and blended Irish whiskey in Dublin. They also bottle third party older malt whiskies and grain whiskies from around Ireland under the Teeling brand.
What is the difference between Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky?
The main difference between Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky is geography. Irish whiskey must be produced in Ireland, whereas Scotch whiskey must be produced in Scotland. The spelling of the word whisk(e)y is another recognisable difference.
From a technical perspective, the following differences exist:
- Irish distillers can add enzymes during mashing, Scottish distillers cannot.
- Irish distilleries can use any wood for maturation, Scottish distillers can only use oak.
- Irish distilleries can use unmalted barley to make single pot still whiskey, in Scotland this would simply be classified as grain whisky
Both Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky must:
- Be matured for a minimum of 3 years in a cask no larger than 700L
- Be bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV
Learn more about different types of whiskey with The Whisky Club's guide to different types of whisky.
Are there different Irish Whiskey regions?
Whiskey is made all over Ireland. However, many of the distilleries are new to the map, so there are no official Irish whiskey regions. The difference between Irish whiskies is easier to discern by style. The main styles are:
- Single malt Irish whiskey (100% barley, distilled in pot stills)
- Single grain Irish whiskey (any grains, distilled in column stills)
- Single pot still Irish whiskey (malted and unmalted barley, distilled in pot stills)
- Blended Irish whiskey (a blend of two styles of Irish whiskey or a single style from multiple distilleries)
- Peated Irish whiskey (made using smoked malted barley)
Learn how to make whiskey with The Whisky Club's guide to making whisky.
How long is Irish Whiskey aged?
Irish whiskey must be matured in wooden casks for a minimum of 3 years. The age on any bottle represents the youngest constituent.
Does Irish Whiskey go bad?
Irish whiskey is inert once bottled. Over time, exposure to light and oxygen may change the flavour, but it won't go bad as such.
How should you drink Irish Whiskey?
Irish whiskey is often consumed neat or with a splash of water to enjoy the complexities in the spirit. But it can be equally enjoyable over ice or in a classic cocktail.
How should I store Irish Whiskey?
It is best to store Irish whiskey upright out of direct sunlight. Bottles being held for a lengthy period should be turned occasionally to moisten the cork, but should not be stored on their side.
What is the best selling Irish Whiskey?
Jameson is the best selling Irish whiskey brand in the world, outselling it's nearest competitor almost 10:1.
Are rare Irish Whiskies a good investment?
Some limited edition, historical or older Irish whiskies may appreciate in value, but not to the same extent as some Scotch whiskies. As with all whiskies, there is never any guaranteed return on investment.
How does a whisky subscription work?
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Why can't I buy these Irish whiskies directly?
It's all part of The Club experience. We work directly with the most celebrated distilleries and whiskymakers around the world to design and deliver limited edition, rare and exclusive whiskies just for our Members. Not only do we deliver the bottles, but we get the opportunity to share the stories and insider information we gather along the way, both on our social media channels and through our packing letters and emails. It's so much more than buying a whisky off the shelf.
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