Irish spirits exports reached a record high in 2022, with a value of over $1.5 billion driven in large part by the nation’s whiskey, according to a report published last summer by trade body Drinks Ireland.
The bumper exports follow a resurgence of distilling facilities and an explosion of brands offering both proprietary and sourced liquid. In that sense, Ireland’s whiskey scene perhaps shares more in common with the United States than Scotland, with which it has typically been compared due to heritage and its penchant for single malts.
Of course, single malt is just one of the four styles traditionally produced in Ireland, the other three being blended, which accounts for the majority of sales; single grain; and single pot still, which is unique to the Emerald Isle.
For this roundup, VinePair tasters personally sampled more than five dozen expressions that were submitted (free of charge) by producers, importers, distributors, and PR firms. Additionally, we considered a dozen samples received over the past few years for prior editions of this list. In each case, we tasted products non-blind to factor price into the equation and better reflect how consumers buy and evaluate spirits, as is VinePair’s policy.
Ready to discover the cream of the Irish crop? Here are 12 of the best Irish whiskeys at every price point for 2024.
Table of Contents Best Irish Whiskey Under $25 Best Irish Whiskey Under $50 Best Irish Whiskey Under $100 Best Irish Whiskey Over $100 Irish Whiskey FAQ
