The World’s Best Irish Whiskey—According To The Experts

Irish whiskey: it’s what’s for dinner. Not just on and around St. Patrick’s Day, but all year long. According to data from the Distilled Spirits Council of the US, “the Emerald Spirit” is among the fastest growing liquor categories on American shelves. And why wouldn’t it be? Encompassing a wide range of production styles, it is dynamic yet entirely approachable.

You’ve got your well-rounded blends, often comprising triple-distilled spirit; then there’s the lighter single grains, and a fuller-bodied subcategory unique to the region: single pot still, made from a combination of malted and unmalted barley. In the stubbornly traditional single malt space, this part of the world is exercising an exciting degree of innovation. Yet those liquids remain a relative bargain compared to their counterparts in Scotland or Japan.

Bushmills 21 exists as a sterling example. Featuring malt whiskey matured in both Oloroso sherry casks, as well as Madeira-seasoned ex-bourbon barrels, it is a stunningly complex pour that can easily be yours for under $200 a bottle. Though if you don’t mind an upcharge, be on the lookout for the Northern Irish producer’s new Rare Cask series—showcasing the oldest stock they’ve ever commercially released. The first edition (pictured above) arrived in late 2020: a 28-year-old gem that spent 11 years in sherry cask before a 17-year “finish” in cognac barrels. It flew off shelves at $500 a piece.

If wine-influenced malts are more your thing, check out the Knappogue 12 Year, which spent time in French oak casks formerly belonging to the renowned Château Pichon Baron. It retails at just under $100. Or go in an entirely different direction with the Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye, a distinctively spicy-style which once proliferated in 19th Century Ireland before vanishing during Prohibition. A buttery mouthfeel accompanies threads of clove and umami in this thrilling throwback—a bargain at $40 a bottle.

For those preferring their whiskey in coffee form, there are a couple of kits to consider. Teeling Whiskey has partnered with La Colombe roasters to create a limited edition cold brew box that includes a bottle of small batch whiskey, two cans of vanilla latte, two collins glasses and a shaker of nutmeg for garnish. It’s available exclusively at ReserveBar for $40 plus shipping. If you’re located in the New York area, you may want to drop $60 more on a high temperature alternative from The Dead Rabbit—named the best bar in the world, back in 2016. It requires brewing the coffee, foaming the milk and even building the demerara simple syrup yourself, and includes a liters-worth of Bushmills’ flagship white label blend.

But that’s more than enough whiskey 101 for one day. You were promised superlatives—expert opinions on the best the category has to offer. So here they are, from a few noted authors on the subject:

Redbreast 12 — $45

“I would probably grab the flagship Redbreast 12—no fancy wood, no extra age. Maybe the Cask Strength instead, but the regular’s a better deal…Unless I can get more of that Bushmills cognac cask sh*t—right out of the barrel.”

–Lew Bryson, author of Whiskey Master Class

Method & Madness — $90

“I love the entire line of whiskeys from Method & Madness, an experimental offshoot from Midleton. They use a series of intriguing woods (pecan) and finishes rarely seen in the whiskey world at large. I sure wish it was available in America.”

–Aaron Goldfarb, author of Hacking Whiskey

Egan’s Legacy Reserve III — $200

“Look, there’s so much wonderful whiskey being made on the Emerald Isle that it’s hard to choose a favorite. But right now, at this moment in time, this particular expression is the bow to my fiddle.”

–Dan Dunn, host of What We’re Drinking! podcast