For an approachable and affordable bottle of Irish whiskey, look no further than Tullamore Dew. Tullamore Dew is a classic blended Irish whiskey known for its smooth and easy-drinking character. 

This triple-distilled blend of malt and grain whiskies is aged in bourbon and sherry casks to create a flavor profile that is both light, smooth, and approachable. On the nose, Tullamore Dew offers notes of citrus and vanilla, while the palate is dominated by flavors of caramel, honey, and toasted oak. Tullamore Dew is a great choice for those who are new to Irish whiskey and want to celebrate the occasion without breaking the bank.

Teeling is a relative newcomer to the world of Irish whiskey, but in the short time the brand has been around, they’ve done quite a bit to push the boundaries of the category. Their Single Pot Still whiskey is a great example of how they honor the traditions of Irish whiskey while still innovating.

Single Pot Still is a legally defined style of Irish whiskey. To be considered a single pot still whiskey, the mash has to consist of at least 30% malted, and 30% unmalted barley with another grain finishing out the last 20%. Teeling takes things a bit further by using 50% malted and 50% unmalted barley. The resulting spirit is then aged in a combination of virgin American oak, ex-bourbon, and ex-sherry casks.

Teeling’s single pot still is known for its notes of honey, caramel, and vanilla from the bourbon barrels, and fruity and nutty flavors from the sherry casks. The use of unmalted barley in the mash gives the whiskey a unique creamy and spicy character, which is balanced by the sweetness from the malted barley.

Teeling Single Pot Still Whiskey is also non-chill filtered, which means it retains more of its natural flavors and aromas, resulting in a fuller and more complex whiskey. It is typically bottled at 46% ABV, which allows the flavors to shine through and makes it ideal for sipping neat or with a drop of water.

As evidenced by the way they choose to spell the word whisky on their labels (no “e”), Waterford does things a little differently than other Irish distilleries. Waterford’s mission is to highlight the quality of the barley used to make all of their whiskies. They solely use barley grown and malted in Ireland, and trace the origin of each farm’s crop from harvest, through distillation, and all the way through barrel aging and blending. They also work closely with Irish farmers who choose to grow organic and biodynamic barley. One of the results of their dedication to the highest quality barley is their new expression, Organic Gaia 2.1.

Waterford’s Organic Gaia 2.1 is a single malt whisky that lets the barley do the speaking. It’s not heavily aged, so fresh grass, hay, and clover fill the nose. Tasting the whiskey there are notes of honey and graham cracker. It’s deep, complex, and perfectly evocative of the Irish countryside where this whisky originated. This is a whisky that even seasoned veterans will find interesting and satisfying.

To many enthusiasts, Redbreast 12 is the quintessential Irish Whiskey. It is a single pot still whiskey produced by the Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland. It is made from a mash comprising of both malted and unmalted barley, which is triple-distilled in copper pot stills before being matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

On the nose, Redbreast 12 has a rich and soft aroma with notes of dried fruit, nuts, vanilla, and honey, as well as a subtle hint of spice. On the palate, it is smooth and creamy, with flavors of caramel, toffee, and chocolate, as well as a hint of dried fruit and spice. The finish is long and warming, with a lingering sweetness and a touch of oak.

Redbreast 12 is highly regarded among whiskey enthusiasts for good reason. It’s what most people expect from Irish whiskey – smooth and easy to sip – but has a notable depth of flavor and complexity. It is a great example of the unique style of Irish single pot still whiskey and is often recommended as a must-try for fans of the category.