The 4 best Irish whiskies you need to try today

Finding the perfect Irish whiskey can be challenging, especially if you have never purchased one before. Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly option or to splurge on a luxury whiskey, finding the right one for you can be frustrating, with many options leaving you overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. To help you narrow down your choices, we have 4 of the best Irish whiskies, and the information you need to know about them is below!

1.   Bushmills 25 Year Old

First up, we have Bushmills 25 year old whiskey, the perfect introduction to Irish whiskey for anyone. The whiskey is first matured in Sherry butts and Bourbon barrels for four years to provide it with the initial flavour. Then, it is placed in first-fill Ruby Port pipes and left for 21 years! During this time, the intense flavour will develop, providing notes of ripe and juicy dark fruits that are tasted in every sip.

Be warned, this premium whiskey can be hard to come by as only 3,500 bottles have been made. You can track this down yourself, with a lot of hunting and willingness to pay the premium tag. You won’t be disappointed when you take your first sip, though!

Character

• Nose – intense ripe hedgerow dark fruits with honey and toasted wood
• Palate – sweet almond, caramelised cherries, plums, and blackberries with dark chocolate, sweet spices, honey, and damson
• Finish – warm oak, Port, gentle spice create the long-lasting finish

What you need to know

• Colour – red gold
• Age – 25 years
• ABV – 46%

2.   Redbreast PX Edition

If you are a fan of Redbreast whiskey, then you need to try their PX edition. The single malt spends 12 years in Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry butts before it spends at least 12 months in Pedro Ximenez Hogsheads to help create its unique flavour. It is a triple-distilled sensation that is the best option for any whiskey fan. Be warned – it is tricky to get your hands on, and you must utilise sites like The Whiskey Club, which can provide exclusive access to it here in Australia!

Character

• Nose – sultana, vanilla, butterscotch biscuits, cinnamon, nougat, and chocolate
• Palate – fruit toast, baking spice, blackberry jam, and a long, rich finish

What you need to know

• Colour – bronze
• ABV – 46%
• Age – at least 13 years

3.   Glendalough 13 Year Old Mizunara Finish

Glendalough has created Ireland’s first-ever mizunara matured whiskey, and it is one we think you should add to your collection! The whiskey is matured for 12 years in American oak ex-bourbon casks to give it the classic flavour of Irish whiskey. To finish, it is kept in Japanese Mizunara oak casks for a final 12 months. The final 12 months are when you get enhanced flavours, including vanilla, sandalwood, and coconut. This elevates the whiskey beyond the usual oak taste and provides a smooth and creamy taste! If you find that whiskey is usually too harsh, opting for this smoother finish will be perfect for your taste buds (and the back of your throat).

Character

• Nose – honeycomb, citrus, vanilla, and apricot
• Palate – smooth and robust with vanilla, fudge, peach, marmalade, and rock candy with notes of cloves, cinnamon, and faint coconut
• Finish – long and spicy with vanilla, oak, dark chocolate, and biscuity malts

What you need to know

• Colour – golden
• Food match – dark chocolate and ginger biscuits
• ABV – 46%
• Age – 13 years

4.   Hyde No.1

Finally, we have the fantastic Hyde No.1, the perfect choice for any Irish whiskey lover! The ten-year whiskey matures in American oak ex-Bourbon casks to provide its initial flavour. Before bottling, it spends another 10 months in Oloroso sherry casks, where its flavour will deepen and become more complex. Getting this delicious whiskey can be tricky, as they only make 5,000 bottles. These small batches mean quality taste is guaranteed, but you might wait a while for it to become available.

Character

• Nose – peaches and cream, vanilla, and honey. Notes of caramel and chocolate follow, with a hint of spice, and fruits like banana, lemon, and orange, with a barely malt softness
• Palate – creamy and fruity with caramel and Manuka honey, plum, and apricot in a silky texture
• Finish – spicy and oaky with a rich and long finish

What you need to know

• Colour – gold
• Food match – Irish stew or gingerbread and mature cheddar
• Age – 10 years
• ABV – 46%

Find your new Irish whiskey today

Finding a new Irish whiskey doesn’t need to be the challenge you first thought it was. When looking for your new whiskey, we recommend checking out The Whiskey Club, which specialises in premium Irish whiskey, especially those hard-to-find options! Head to their site to find the best premium Irish whiskies and your new drink today!