Irish whiskey isn’t just Jameson. The Emerald Isle is cranking out some of the most exciting drams on the planet right now, many of them smooth, affordable, and packed with character.
I researched to identify nine bottles that consistently rank at the top of Amazon and Master of Malt reviews, along with a brief primer to help you discuss the topic the next time someone asks, “What is the best Irish whiskey, anyway?”
A 60‑Second History Lesson
Irish whiskey dominated the global spirits scene until the early 1900s. In 1890, Ireland had at least 28 distilleries. However, by 1966, this number had fallen to just two.
Wars, American Prohibition, and a failure to pivot toward blended styles nearly wiped it out.
The late 1980s marked the beginning of a long and slow resurgence in the Irish whiskey industry, with the establishment of the Cooley Distillery in 1987, followed by Pernod Ricard’s takeover of Irish Distillers in 1988. This led to an increased marketing of Irish whiskeys, particularly Jameson.
Fast‑forward to today, and the category is the fastest‑growing spirit category in the world, with the island boasting more than 25 active distilleries.
Also Read: Best Scotch under $50
What is Irish whiskey?
To be labelled as Irish whiskey, the spirit needs to be distilled and matured in Ireland from a mash of malted cereals with or without whole grains of other cereals.
There are four main types of Irish whiskey:
- Irish single malt whiskey is made entirely from malted barley, distilled in a pot still within a single distillery. Double or triple distillation is allowed.
- Irish single pot still whiskey is made from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley, completely distilled in a pot still within a single distillery.
- Single grain Irish whiskey is made from various grains and is distilled in a column or Coffey still at a single distillery.
- Blended Irish whiskey is a blend of two or more of the other three types (single malt, single pot still, or single grain whiskey)
Due to the triple distillation process, Irish whiskey gained a reputation for being smooth and drinkable.
A further positive point of Irish whiskey is its affordability. Many of the top-rated releases retail for less than £50.
The 9 Best Irish Whiskey Picks (in no particular order)
1. Green Spot Whiskey
Green Spot is a single pot still whiskey matured in a combination of first and second-fill bourbon casks as well as sherry casks. Part of the Spot range, there is also a Yellow and Red Spot whiskey. Green Spot is a NAS release comprising whiskeys aged between 7 and 10 years and owned by Pernod Ricard.
The Green Spot release offers notes of orchard fruits and creamy barley, complemented by toasted wood and hints of vanilla and cloves. The Green Spot whisky is rated 4.8/5 on Amazon and retails in the less than £ 50 category.
2. Redbreast 12 year old Whiskey
The Redbreast 12 year old is a single pot still Irish whiskey produced by Irish Distillers at the Midleton distillery in Cork. The Redbreast 12 year old whiskey is aged in first-fill Olorosso sherry casks and ex-bourbon barrels.
Redbreast has notes of sweet ripe red fruits sprinkled with toasted nuts, banana and pears. Creamy with hints of marzipan, this rich blend combines the sweetness of fruit salad with roasted nuts. A balance of wood and red berry sweetness mixed with bits of pepper and ginger.
This bottling has received a rating of 4.8/5 on Amazon and falls within the affordable category.
3. Teeling Single Malt Whiskey
The Teeling single malt whisky is one of my personal favourites. Distilling is in the Teeling family blood, they have a history of distilling in Ireland that stretches back to 1782.
The Teeling single malt whiskey is made from spirits matured in five different wine casks: sherry, port, Madeira, white Burgundy, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is made from 100% malted barley with a range of various ages.
Filled with sweet, ripe melon and grapes, there are bits of dark chocolate and warming notes of cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and malt. Hints of cherry lozenge and butterscotch. Medium body and very smooth. Some peppermint crisp chocolate in the background. Elegant and delicious, the Teeling single malt is a well-balanced whiskey.
4. Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition
No Irish whiskey list would be complete without mentioning a Jameson. However, I prefer the Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition over the standard bottling.
The Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition was first released in September 2015. Initially, it was only a small batch release, but it was so well-received that it was integrated into the Jameson lineup. Jameson’s whisky is aged in stout barrels from the Franciscan Well Brewery.
The Stout Edition offers fresh hay, green apples, and orchard fruit with a hint of lime zest. There are notes of coffee, hazelnut and milk chocolate mixed with charred oak and marzipan. It retails for a similar price to the standard bottling and is affordable.
5. Bushmills 10 year old Whiskey
The Bushmills 10 year old single malt whiskey is triple distilled from 100% malted barley and matured for a minimum of 10 years in former Sherry casks and bourbon-seasoned casks.
This 10-year-old Irish single malt offers notes of baked banana bread and tropical fruit, overripe peach, malt, vanilla, and white pepper.
This release is rated 4.8/5 by more than 11,800 people on Amazon. It is one of the whiskies with the most ratings in the Irish category. Many people really like this release. Not only delicious, but also very affordable. It is available on Amazon.
6. Connemara Peated Whiskey
Connemara Irish whiskey, owned by Beam Suntory, was the first in the modern era of the Irish whiskey renaissance to remind people that Irish whiskey can be smoky. Connemara’s peat level is lower than many Islay drams.
This translates to a more balanced and approachable peaty whiskey. It’s a good introduction to peated whiskies, offering a unique Irish take on the style.
More than 8,000 people had an opinion on this release, and on average, it rated 4.7/5. Another affordable release that is available on Amazon. The tasting notes include notes of smoke, hints of heather, malt, florals, honey, and subtle woody notes.
7. Tullamore DEW Whiskey
Another release loved by many people is the Tullamore DEW blended whiskey. It received a rating of 4.7/5 from 5,100 votes on Amazon. Tullamore DEW is owned by William Grant & Sons.
The distillery traces its roots back to 1829 when Michael Molloy founded the distillery in Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland.
This release brings notes of vanilla and caramel mixed with fresh flowers, butterscotch, and hints of citrus. It is quite spicy, with pepper oak intermingling with notes of grapefruit and lemon rind.
8. Proper No. Twelve Whiskey
A blended Irish whiskey produced with the help of former Bushmills distillery manager David Elder. In the past, it was associated with Conor McGregor, but since 2021, Proximo Spirits has been the 100% owner.
The Proper No. Twelve has notes of orchard fruit, vanilla, honey, and toasted wood, with hints of green apple and pear. Warming and sweet with a hint of pepper spice.
Considered an easy-drinking, approachable whiskey at a great price point. It was rated 4.7/5 by more than 5,300 people.
9. Sexton Whiskey
Last but not least, one of those stand-out bottles on the shelf. The Sexton single malt whiskey was rated 4.7/5 based on 3,200 votes.
A creation of master blender Alex Thomas, The Sexton Irish whiskey is made from 100% Irish malted barley, triple-distilled in copper pot stills. The spirit is aged in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks.
It is known for its notes of oily nuts, honeycomb, malt, dark chocolate, and hints of marzipan, along with dried fruit, nuts, and oak spice. At an affordable price, this is an excellent addition to your drinks cabinet.
Final Pour
Whether you’re stocking a home bar, hunting for a Father’s Day gift, or just ready to move past the standard green‑bottle pour, these nine contenders prove you don’t have to spend a fortune to taste the best Irish whiskey out there. Pick one, pour two fingers neat, and discover why the category is experiencing a resurgence.
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Also Read: Best Peated Whisky
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