15 Best Irish Whiskeys to Drink Ahead of St. Patrick's Day
It’s like sipping on Irish gold.
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Ireland is known for many things: the rolling green hills, Irish soda bread, Guinness beer, and, of course, whiskey! The incredibly smooth, easy-to-drink, liquid gold is the key to any good St. Patrick's Day celebration. Just pair it with a corned beef dinner and a lucky Irish dessert—or use the whiskey as a starting point for your favorite Irish cocktails. Either way, you’ll want to pick up a bottle of Irish whiskey for your St. Patrick's Day party. But why stop there? You can enjoy any one of these Irish whiskey brands all year round! After all, it’s one of the best ways to embrace the spirit (and flavor) of Ireland! (Along with all those traditional Irish foods.)
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What's an Irish whiskey you might ask? Well, for one thing, it's made in Ireland. Another thing to note is that Irish whiskey is always spelled with an "e." That's the case for both Ireland and the United States, but in other countries (like Scotland and Japan), you'll find it is often spelled "whisky." Now that we've had our spelling lesson, let's get back to the good stuff! A distinguishing characteristic of Irish whiskey is that it's always aged in a wooden cask for a minimum of three years, but there are four different types: malt, pot still, grain, and blended.
Now that you know a little more about Irish whiskey, the only thing left to do pick up some whiskey glasses and a bottle to try for yourself. But don't wait until March 17—these Irish whiskeys can (and should) be enjoyed all year long.
This traditional Irish brand was first founded in Belfast back in 1776, but it was banished from the United States during Prohibition. Making its triumphant return once again, McConnell’s offers a taste of Ireland’s past. It’s light and citrusy with notes of vanilla and smoke which comes from being aged for five years in bourbon casks. Fun fact: It’s one of the few bottles on this list that didn’t add an ‘e’ to the word whisky!
As one of the oldest whiskey distilleries in the world, Bushmills has more than 400 years of whiskey making experience. Their light, smooth, triple-distilled variety is perfect for anyone who wants a taste of Northern Ireland. The recipe hasn't changed since the 1800s!
Redbreast is a single-pot still that’s perfect for those looking to drink their whiskey neat (that means at room temperature without any mixer). The comforting notes of warm spices and the spicy aroma will linger on the palate and allow you to embrace the complexity of the flavor.
This might just be the best-know Irish whiskey on this list—and for good reason! It has notes of vanilla and spice that make it easy to sip. Plus, it's one of the more affordable and readily available options around.
This popular whiskey brand has been around since 1829. It isn't fancy but it's perfect for anyone who's just starting out as a whiskey drinker.
This whiskey gets its complex flavor from being aged in three different casks. It’s spicy at first but mellows out with flavors of caramel, butterscotch, and hints of dried fruit.
This smooth sipping whiskey is a fan favorite for its versatility. It can be served over ice, neat, or even in a cocktail. It’s a 100% Irish pot still whiskey with a bright gold color and a smooth, approachable flavor that has hints of clover and green apple.
Instead of saying ‘cheers’ in Ireland, say ‘sláinte’ instead! It translates ‘good health’ so it’s perfect for celebrating a special occasion. It’s no wonder this brand of whiskey was named after the popular saying. The balanced, smooth blend is made in County Louth, Ireland, and it’s known for being co-founded by the actor, Liev Schreiber. But on top of that, it’s also a multi-award winning bottle.
Proper No. Twelve has quickly become a new favorite on the bar scene for its straightforward drinkability. This single malt is bourbon-barrel-aged for four years and is great on the rocks or mixed with ginger ale.
The most popular Irish whiskey brand in Ireland is Powers. It's been around since 1791! The gold label is a blend of pot-still and grain, and because a finer cut is bottled, that means it is smooth enough to drink neat.
Ireland isn't just known for whiskey, but for its famous writers, like James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. Inspired by the great Irish writers' of the 19th century, Walsh Whiskey produced this pot still and single malt blend.
If you've been on the hunt for a single malt whiskey, look no further. Knappogue’s well-rounded, delicate flavor is worth the price.
From Ireland’s County Cork, this award-winning whiskey is known for being approachable, mild, and crisp. It’s the perfect drink too share with friends.
Teeling is known for being one of the first distilleries to open in Dublin in over 125 years. Their blended grain and malt whiskey is uniquely smooth, sweet, and woody.
Despite being aged in American oak bourbon barrels, this whiskey is full-on Irish (hence the name). It’s a blend of single malt and single pot still which results in a flavorful whiskey.
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