11 Best Irish Whiskies you need in your wet bar

Find yourself trawling the Whiskey isle for what seems like an hour? Here are 11 Irish whiskies you can look for.

Irish whiskey is a type of whiskey that is made in Ireland. It is made from a mixture of grains, including barley, corn, oats, and rye, and is typically aged in wooden barrels for at least three years.

Irish whiskey has a distinct flavour and aroma, and is known for its smooth and mellow taste.

There are many different brands and types of Irish whiskey, and it can be difficult to decide which ones are the best. Here are 12 of the top Irish whiskies, based on their taste, quality, and popularity among whiskey lovers:

11 Best Irish Whiskies you need to try

1. Jameson Irish Whiskey: This is one of the most popular Irish whiskeys in the world, and is known for its smooth and approachable flavour. It is made from a blend of barley, corn, and rye, and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of four years.

2. Bushmills Irish Whiskey: This is another popular Irish whiskey, and is made from a blend of barley, corn, and rye. It is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of five years, and has a smooth and mellow flavour.

3. Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey: This Irish whiskey is made from a blend of barley, corn, and rye, and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. It has a smooth and complex flavour, with hints of fruit and spice.

4. Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey: This Irish whiskey is made from a blend of barley, corn, and rye, and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. It has a smooth and mellow flavour, with hints of vanilla and honey.

5. Redbreast Irish Whiskey: This Irish whiskey is made from a blend of barley and malted barley, and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 12 years. It has a rich and complex flavour, with notes of fruit, spice, and toasted wood.

6. Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey: This Irish whiskey is made from 100% malted barley, and is Peated, which means that it has a smoky flavour. It is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of four years, and has a unique and complex flavour.

7. Powers Irish Whiskey: This Irish whiskey is made from a blend of barley, corn, and rye, and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. It has a smooth and mellow flavour, with hints of spice and toasted wood.

8. Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey: This Irish whiskey is made from a blend of single pot still and grain whiskeys, and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 12 years. It has a rich and complex flavour, with notes of fruit, spice, and toasted wood.

9. Teeling Irish Whiskey: This Irish whiskey is made from a blend of barley and malted barley, and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. It has a smooth and mellow flavour, with hints of vanilla and toasted wood.

10. Green Spot Irish Whiskey: This Irish whiskey is made from a blend of single pot still and grain whiskeys, and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of seven years. It has a rich and complex flavour, with notes of fruit, spice, and toasted wood.

11. Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey: This Irish whiskey is made from a blend of single malt and grain whiskeys, and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 12 years. It has a rich and complex flavour, with notes of fruit, spice, and toasted wood.

What makes Irish Whisky different?

It is typically made from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley, which is then mashed, fermented, and distilled.

There are a few key factors that make Irish whiskey different from other types of whiskey:

1. Production methods: Irish whiskey is typically triple-distilled, which means that it is distilled three times in a row. This results in a smoother, more refined flavour.

2. Grains used: Irish whiskey is typically made from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley, although other grains such as wheat, corn, and oats may also be used.

3. Aging: Irish whiskey is typically aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. This aging process gives the whiskey its rich, amber colour and contributes to its smooth, mellow flavour.

4. Blending: Irish whiskey is often blended, which means that it is made by combining the spirits from several different distilleries. This creates a more consistent, well-balanced flavour.

Why do people say the Peated Irish Whiskies are aged?

During the aging process, the whiskey absorbs compounds from the wood of the barrels, which imparts flavours and aromas such as vanilla, caramel, and toffee. The whiskey also reacts with the barrel's tannins, which can give it a subtle bitterness and a rich, amber colour.

Aging whiskey in oak barrels is a traditional practice that has been used for centuries to produce a variety of different types of whiskey. In addition to providing flavour and colour, aging can also help to soften the flavour of the whiskey and make it more smooth and mellow.

Irish whiskey is known for its smooth, mellow flavour, and the aging process is a key factor in achieving this characteristic. By aging the whiskey for a minimum of three years, Irish whiskey producers are able to develop a rich, full-bodied flavour that is prized by whiskey lovers around the world. So, aging is an important factor in the production of Irish whiskey, as it helps to develop its flavour and character.