Irish whiskey has a reputation for being the easy one, and it's half deserved. The everyday blends that made the category famous are light, smooth and built to go down without argument. But the same island produces single pot still whiskey, a style made nowhere else in the world, and some of the most interesting aged bottles you can buy at the price. This page covers both ends. We carry around 30 bottles here, from an $18 half bottle of Jameson to aged single pot stills past $200, along with the Irish cream liqueurs. We ship to most states, with an adult 21 or older required to sign at delivery.
What Makes a Whiskey Irish
The rules are short. It has to be distilled and aged on the island of Ireland, which includes Northern Ireland, and it has to spend at least three years in wooden casks. Beyond that, producers have more freedom than in Scotch, which is part of why the category has grown so quickly over the last twenty years after spending most of the twentieth century down to a handful of distilleries.
Triple distillation gets mentioned constantly and it's worth getting right. Many Irish producers triple distill, and it does contribute to the lighter texture, but it isn't a legal requirement and plenty of good Irish whiskey is distilled twice. If you want the full background, our guide to what Irish whiskey is covers the history properly.
The Four Styles
Every Irish whiskey falls into one of four categories, and knowing which one you're holding tells you more than the brand name does.
Single pot still. The style that's genuinely Irish. It's made from a mash of both malted and unmalted barley, distilled in copper pot stills at a single distillery. The unmalted barley gives it a creamy, oily texture and a spicy edge that nothing else quite has. If you've only had Irish whiskey in a blend, this is the bottle that changes your mind about the category.
Single malt. Malted barley only, from one distillery, the same definition as in Scotland. Irish single malts are usually unpeated, so they tend to land fruitier and softer than their Scottish counterparts.
Single grain. Made mainly from corn or wheat in a column still. Light and sweet, and mostly used as the backbone of blends rather than bottled on its own.
Blended. A combination of two or more of the styles above. This is where most Irish whiskey sold in America sits, and where the smooth reputation comes from.
Where to Start, and Where to Go Next
Everyday bottles. Jameson is the default for a reason and sells in both 750ml and 375ml. Tullamore D.E.W. blends all three distilled styles together, and Paddy's is among the lightest in the category. All three are under $30 and all three mix well.
A little more character. Slane is matured across three cask types, which gives it more weight than most blends at its price. Concannon is finished partly in California wine casks, and Proper No. Twelve is the easiest-drinking of the group.
The step up. Redbreast 12 is the reference bottle for single pot still, rich and sherried, and the single most useful bottle on this page if you want to understand what the style does. The Spot range runs the same style up an age ladder: Green Spot is the entry point, Yellow Spot is 12 years, Red Spot is 15, and Blue Spot is bottled at cask strength.
Aged and unusual. Garavogue 20 Year carries a 20 year age statement at a price that would buy you a 12 year old Scotch, which makes it worth a look on value alone.
Irish Cream
Irish cream is a liqueur rather than a whiskey: Irish whiskey blended with cream and sugar, usually around 17% alcohol. Baileys invented the category in 1974 and still defines it. One labeling note worth knowing is that "Irish style" on a cream liqueur is the giveaway that it isn't made in Ireland. For what to do with a bottle beyond pouring it over ice, see our Irish cream cocktails.
Irish Whiskey FAQ
What is the difference between Irish whiskey and Scotch?
Where it's made, mostly, and what that encourages. Irish whiskey is often triple distilled and usually unpeated, so it runs lighter and smoother. Ireland also has single pot still, a style Scotland doesn't make.
What is single pot still Irish whiskey?
Whiskey made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley, distilled in pot stills at one distillery. It's unique to Ireland, with a creamy texture and spicy finish. Redbreast and the Spot range are the best known.
Is Irish whiskey triple distilled?
Often, but not always. Triple distillation is a common Irish tradition and contributes to the lighter style, but it isn't legally required, and some respected Irish whiskeys are distilled twice.
What is a good Irish whiskey for beginners?
Jameson or Tullamore D.E.W. for something easy and inexpensive. If you want to understand what makes Irish whiskey distinctive rather than just smooth, Redbreast 12 is the better first serious bottle.
How do you drink Irish whiskey?
The blends are made for mixing, highballs and Irish coffee especially. The single pot stills and aged bottles are better neat or with a few drops of water, which opens up the spice.
Can Irish whiskey be shipped to my state?
We ship to most U.S. states, typically within a few business days. Someone 21 or older has to sign at delivery. Availability is confirmed at checkout, since a handful of states restrict direct spirits shipments.