What is Irish whiskey?
Irish whiskey is a whiskey made in Ireland. They must be aged for a minimum of 3 years in wooden casks and bottled at a minimum of 40% alcohol.
The category is growing again after a 20th century decline. New distilleries are coming of age, old brands are releasing new and exciting flavour profiles and the classic brands continue to impress. There is no better time to discover the category than right now. But what exactly is an Irish whiskey and why are they so special?
Read on to find out because this is The Whisky Club's guide to Irish whiskey.
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Want to see how Irish whiskey stacks up on the global stage? Check out The Whisky Club's guide to the world's 5 major whisky making countries.
What is Irish whiskey?
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.
How does it differ from Scotch?
Irish whiskey follows the rules for Scotch whisky very closely but with three exceptions. It must be distilled and matured in Ireland; enzymes can be added to the mash alongside those naturally occurring in the malting process; and it can be matured in casks made from any wood (but the vast majority of distillers still use oak.) There is one novel type of whiskey from Ireland, and that is Irish single pot still whiskey.
Irish whiskey definitions
All Irish whiskey must be:
- Made from cereals into a mash
- Distilled and matured in Ireland
- Aged in a wooden cask of no more than 700L in size for a minimum period of three years
- Be at least 40% ABV
- Be distilled no higher than 95% ABV
Single malt Irish whiskey
Single malt Irish whiskey:
- Follows the definitions of Irish whiskey
- Is the product of a single distillery
- Has been made from malted barley
- Distilled in a pot still in a batch process
Single grain Irish whiskey
Single grain Irish whiskey:
- Follows the definitions of Irish whiskey
- Is the product of a single distillery
- Fails one of the other criteria of single malt Irish whiskey
Blended Irish whiskey
Blended Irish whisky:
- Follows the definitions of Irish whiskey
- Is a blend of whiskey from more than one distillery or more than one Irish whisky type
Blended malt Irish whiskey
- A blend of only single malt Irish whiskies
Blended grain Irish whiskey
- A blend of only single grain Irish whiskies
Single pot still whiskey
Irish single pot still whiskey:
- Follows the definitions of Irish whiskey
- Is made from a mix of at least 30% malted barley, 30% unmalted barley and up to 5% other cereals
- Distilled in a batch process in pot stills
Looking for an even deeper dive into the technicalities of whisky production? Check out The Whisky Club's Guide to Making Whisky, The Whisky Club's Guide to Casks and The Whisky Club's Guide to Whisky Definitions Around the World.
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Irish whiskey FAQs
What officially qualifies something as Irish whiskey?
It must be distilled and matured in Ireland, made from cereal grains, aged for at least three years in wooden casks no larger than 700L, and bottled at 40% ABV or higher.
Why is Irish whiskey often smoother than Scotch?
The production methods including triple distillation (in most cases) often create a lighter, smoother spirit. The biggest Irish whiskey brand is also blended, bringing together malt and grain whiskies, again creating a lighter style.
Is Irish whiskey always triple‑distilled?
No. Many brands triple‑distil, but it’s not a legal requirement. Several distilleries use double distillation.
What makes single pot still whiskey unique?
It combines malted and unmalted barley, producing a creamy, spicy, distinctive style found mainly in Ireland.
Can Irish whiskey be matured in non‑oak casks?
Yes. Regulations allow any wooden cask type, though oak remains the standard.
What’s the most common style of Irish whiskey?
Blended Irish whiskey is the most widely consumed globally.
How long does Irish whiskey age?
The minimum is three years, but many premium releases mature far longer. Like Scotch, any age on a bottle indicates the youngest component.
How does a whisky subscription work?
The Whisky Club subscription is free with no obligation to buy anything we procure. Members are automatically opted in to receive the Whisky of the Month, with each of our other releases available as 'Add In' whiskies. Members can choose to skip delivery any month they like, as often as they like.
Why can’t I buy these single malt whiskies directly?
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