March has arrived. That said, it's time to talk about somegreat irish whiskey. While I love the Emerald Isle year-round, it's unmissable that interest in Irish whiskey is at its peak this month. And with so manynew irish whiskey brandscome to market - cover allfunny irish mixespick up heavy hitters on barrel strength - sit next to himold school classic, it's time to try to evaluate some.
For this blind tasting, I'm going down and dirty. I try 20irish whiskeysoff my shelf and judge them on taste alone. And that. No gimmicks or long parameter lists. all goodOld-fashioned blind tasting and grading. Our range now includes the following bottles:
- Northcross Triple Wood Irish Whiskey
- Jameson Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey
- Der Irishman Single Malt Irish Whiskey
- Bushmills Prohibition Rezept Irish Whiskey Shelby Edition
- The Busker Irish Whiskey Single Pot Still
- Gold Spot Single Pot Stull Irish Whiskey 135th Anniversary Limited Edition envelhecido 9 anos
- Method And Madness Single Grain Irish Whiskey, matured in bourbon barrels, finished in Spanish oak barrels
- Waterford Irish Single Malt Whisky Heritage Hunter
- Redbreast Single Pot Still Kentucky Oak Edition Irish Whiskey
- McConnell's Irish Whiskey aged 5 years
- Clonakilty Irish Whiskey Single Lote Double Oak Finish
- Writers' Tears Red Head Irish Whiskey
- Triple Dog Irish Whiskey
- Whiskey Teeling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
- Proklamation Blended Irish Whiskey
- Waterford Irish Single Malt Whisky Bio Gaia 2.1
- Jameson Black Barrel Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey
- Gesundheit Irish Whiskey Smooth Blend
- Irish Gaelic Whiskey
- Clonakilty Irish Whiskey Cask Finish Series Port Cask Finish
Let's dive!
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- America's 20 Most Popular Hot Sauces, Tasted and Rated Blindly
Part 1: The whiskey tasting
like 1
Flavor notes:
Nose:On the nose there is a clear Irish grain whiskey feel, with honeyed crackers alongside light sweet grass, soft nutty notes and hints of summer flowers.
Palate:The palate leans towards caramel with hints of orange oil, buttery croissant and creamy caramel with a light hint of honey malt from the nose.
Fim:The finish has a marzipan richness with a very light hint of dried cherries dipped in milk chocolate with hints of spicy malt.
First thoughts:
That was good. It was very Irish whiskey from top to bottom with a nice hint of nutty and spicy chocolate malts. It felt more like a cocktail base than a good sip.
like 2
Flavor notes:
Nose:It has a classic feel with hints of sweet citrus lemon, smooth malt and smooth spice on the nose with light hints of honey and almond.
Palate:The sip leans into this spice with a smooth powder, while layers of rich vanilla, dried walnuts and woody notes boost the palate.
Fim:The finish is short and sweet with a minerality that is more river rock than tap water.
First thoughts:
Well hello Jameson! That sweet lemon vibe is unforgettable. Still, this is clearly a top-to-bottom blended whiskey.
like 3
Flavor notes:
Nose:The nose is all sweet apple with a hint of pear, alongside soft hints of cinnamon and maybe a little honey.
Palate:The palate is light, playing chocolate chips and winter spice before plumping up again with apple candy.
Fim:The finish comes off a little with the Proofing Water, leaving hints of dark spice, raisins and more apple/pear sweetness.
First thoughts:
All in all it was very good. It had good balance and real depth. Still, it was just "nice" and not much else.
like 4
Flavor notes:
Nose:Applewood leads into Apple Candy, which is made with lots of honey alongside notes of dried flowers, dry wood and dry straw notes.
Palate:The palate amplifies the apple in a spiced apple scone with lots of cinnamon, cloves and ginger alongside a layer of creamy vanilla and more of that dry straw.
Fim:The finish is loaded with honey and spice and fades quickly.
First thoughts:
That was very good. It's not great and feels like a solid cocktail base.
like 5
Flavor notes:
Nose:Hardcore notes of moist grains open with hints of milk chocolate and a clove/pimento on the nose.
Palate:The flavor of this sweet oatmeal leans toward dried fruit and green pepper.
Fim:The mid-palate is sweetened with caramel alongside tangy applesauce that feels like gooey applesauce before quickly disappearing.
First thoughts:
That was a grain bomb. There was a certain nuance, but it was buried under all that wet, sweet dough.
like 6
Flavor notes:
Nose:The nose is super lush with hints of kiwi skin alongside the woody core of a pineapple, smooth vanilla oils, stewed apples and a little festive spice blend.
Palate:The palate is creamy yet light, with spicy notes of cloves and allspice alongside a tropical fruit salad with hints of black pepper, more of that super smooth vanilla, hints of Nutella and hints of sour sherry-soaked oak.
Fim:The finish boils all the tropical fruit with the spices to create a sweet, sour, tangy, vanilla sensation, with a line of peppery malt lurking underneath it all.
First thoughts:
This is on a different level. It's luscious, deep and delicious. This clears all previous water gulps and is the gulp to beat.
like 7
Flavor notes:
Nose:This starts with dry pencil shavings leading to dried pine boxes, potpourri and notes of grapefruit pulp.
Palate:The flavor is boosted by cinnamon bark and clove berries, with a rubbery pink vibe alongside soft vanilla beans.
Fim:This vanilla moves the mid-palate to a finish full of ripe figs, light spice and sweet potting soil.
First thoughts:
That was weird, but it made weird sense in the end. I'm just not sure if I like all these oddities or just trying to like it because it's different.
like 8
Flavor notes:
Nose:On the nose, there's a feel of old black potting soil with a flurry of freshly cut hay, bushels of red apples, orange marmalade and a whisper of fresh rain on slate roofs.
Palate:This orange turns into an inverted orange cake with a cinnamon-clove caramel drizzle alongside aged plums, oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar, salted butter, and notes of aged cedar planks with charred edges and a faint echo of sage.
Fim:This sage leads to green pepper and spicy green herb notes with plenty of honey and dried fruit alongside a final note of mild spice.
First thoughts:
This is weird in every way. The malt is deep and enriching, while the overall vibe really feels like a trip. However, it is not surprising. It's more...fascinating.
like 9
Flavor notes:
Nose:A light touch of almost sweet cedar alongside marzipan and old leather with a hint of sour cherry and sour apple peel rounds out the nose.
Palate:The palate starts with a base layer of cream and builds layers of woody cinnamon, smooth nutmeg and sharp cloves to dried figs and plums with a cognac-soaked oak note and some braised cherries.
Fim:The finish is a nice, buttery caramel with another hint of vanilla before woody spices lead to apple tobacco on the slow finish, packaged in an old cedar box.
First thoughts:
OK, thatANDExcellent. This is a deep soulful whiskey that I immediately want to drink and not just taste. It also has some serious bourbon vibes with that mix of dark cherry, vanilla and woody spice.
like 10
Flavor notes:
Nose:Irish oatcakes with vanilla waffles, orange peel and lightly peppered spices lead the way to the nose.
Palate:Orchard fruit confirms the fascination on the palate, with caramel and cream mingling with white pepper and a fleeting touch of aged oak.
Fim:Orchard fruit lurks at the end with an atmosphere of chocolate oatmeal cookies.
First thoughts:
That was back in the "well" column of this tasting. Nothing is right here. It's just average.
like 11
Flavor notes:
Nose:Sweet fruit and spice lead the way to the nose with slightly dried green grass, soft boot leather and lightly spiced malt with winter bark and fruit alongside a depth that continues.
Palate:The palate perks up with slices of fresh ginger alongside Tellicherry pepper, Nutella and a sweet apple that leans into a land that's like a back porch on a sunny day.
Fim:Apple sweetness leads the finish to drier sweet grass and old willow with hints of moss growing between the reeds, soft dark cherry and sticky toffee pudding notes with a hint of salt and a hint of orange zest.
First thoughts:
Phenomenal.
like 12
Flavor notes:
Nose:Burnt orange and peach rinds mingle with hints of salty dried mango alongside berry tea leaves, sliced plum jam with cloves and a light touch of brandy butter and scones.
Palate:Nutella pops on the palate with hints of rum raisins, oak staves soaked in aged sherry and creamy vanilla cake.
Fim:It ends in brandy butter and scones with hints of sour orange marmalade and fresh breakfast tea with cream and honey.
First thoughts:
It's a very good whiskey too. It's not quite as engaging as The Last Sip, but I'm really splitting hairs saying this.
like 13
Flavor notes:
Nose:The nose is very smooth with a slight hint of leather and spicy dark red fruits with a fine caramel sweetness.
Palate:Cream and sweet oak blended with a hint of orchard fruit and malt.
Fim:There is a hint of orange peel on the finish, accentuated by fine sweetness and spice.
First thoughts:
Alright =. It is clearly a blended whiskey.
like 14
Flavor notes:
Nose:Powerful grains enter the nose with a dry wood and notes of aged candle wax, white pepper and maybe a little vanilla cream.
Palate:The palate enhances this vanilla with a grainy vibe as winter spices emerge, leading to hints of floral honey.
Fim:The finish fades quickly, leaving you with sweet vanilla cream and woody spice and dry straw notes.
First thoughts:
That was just "okay". There was a decent balance between the sly grain and the rest of the profile that helped it stand out a bit.
like 15
Flavor notes:
Nose:Sliced pears hidden in the cream open the nose with a slight woodiness that transforms into a neutral vodka.
Palate:On the palate there is a slightly nutty vibe with hints of apple, banana and oak fritters.
Fim:The finish plays oatmeal and raisins, but ends up more like a listless vodka than anything else.
First thoughts:
It tastes more like vodka than whiskey. You can guess where this will land in the rankings...
like 16
Flavor notes:
Nose:The nose draws you in with hints of sour orange marmalade over buttermilk biscuits with hints of mocha lattes, moist brown sugar, red grapes, figs and fresh-from-the-bag marshmallows.
Palate:The flavor leans towards lemon zest and white pepper before drying into grapefruit pulp, dark cocoa powder, salty black licorice and notes of dry white toast.
Fim:There are hints of cinnamon bark and clove berries with that black licorice finish that hints at dark orange and a sweet hint of boiled peaches.
First thoughts:
This is very fascinating and profound. I feel like I could always find more if I kept coming back to the nose and the palate. This is fun, but not a "wow" whiskey pour.
like 17
Flavor notes:
Nose:The sweet, grainy nose of a good Irish whiskey blends with sliced dark chocolate with creamy vanilla and sits alongside a rich butterscotch caramel with a hint of orange on the nose.
Palate:The palate enhances this vanilla with hints of Christmas spice and plump nuts, leading to a minced meat pie sensation with a dark orange/chocolate underside.
Fim:The finish has tannic oak notes with a creamy richness of vanilla peppered with dark wintery woody spice.
First thoughts:
This is deep and delicious. It's not overdone, but it's really good. That seems like enough.
like 18
Flavor notes:
Nose:Light notes of black pepper and smooth lemon oils blended with vanilla and banana bread notes on the nose.
Palate:The palate leans towards a light brioche with thin orange marmalade, almonds and vanilla alongside hints of oak.
Fim:The finish is light and fast with hints of dried honey crackers along with a final touch of black pepper from the nose.
First thoughts:
It's pretty thin overall.
like 19
Flavor notes:
Nose:It has a malty nose with hints of ginger and honey biscuits with a ton of raisins, apples, pears and maybe even hints of orange.
Palate:The palate has an elegant buttercream feel leading into a malt milkshake, hints of cinnamon and lots of dates and figs.
Fim:The finish ramps up the spice to a woody feel with apple skins and pear pits, leading to hints of rum raisin and honey.
First thoughts:
It was classic, direct and unmistakable. Every note is true and clear. This is good whiskey that isn't overdone.
like 20
Flavor notes:
Nose:The nose opens with bright fruit - orange, lime and lemon zest alongside peach skin and juicy apricots - alongside light notes of brown spice, raisins and slightly sweet oak with a hint of must.
Palate:The palate leans towards stone fruit with a cooked vibe alongside dried red pepper flakes, cinnamon, cardamom and orange chocolate hints with hints of lemon and lime soda.
Fim:The finish leans towards dark spice on the finish with a plum vibe, a touch more of that soft oak and a final hint of peppercorns.
First thoughts:
It's tempting andverygood whiskey.
Part 2: The whiskey ranking
20. Proklamation Blended Irish Whiskey – Geschmack 15
ABV:40,7%
Average price: $ 29
Der Whisky:
This whiskey is a blend of Irish whiskeys sourced from distilleries across Ireland. The whiskeys in the blend are mostly matured in ex-bourbon casks, into which a few casks of sherry-aged whiskey are also cast.
bottom line:
This is very listless and thin. To happen.
19. Healthy Irish Whiskey Smooth Blend – Geschmack 18
ABV:40%
Average price: $ 37
Der Whisky:
The new Slainte Irish Whiskey Smooth Blend starts with casks of classic grain whiskey that have been matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. These barrels are stacked and then the whiskey is transferred to new ex-bourbon barrels for a final maturation before being tanked, weatherproofed and bottled.
bottom line:
I would also pass this. It is very thin and has nothing to draw attention to.
18. The Busker Irish Whiskey Single Pot Still – Geschmack 5
ABV:44,3%
Average price: $ 37
Der Whisky:
This barley-based whiskey is aged for an unknown amount of time in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. These whiskeys are then blended with local water and tested.
bottom line:
This is a crafty grain bomb. You really have to research to get past this. I would pass
17. Triple Dog Irish Whiskey – Geschmack 13
ABV:40%
Average price: $ 39
Der Whisky:
This new Irish whiskey is said to have a "modern taste profile". The whiskey in the bottle is a blend of Irish whiskey triple distilled from standard sources, aged for at least four years and aged in French oak barrels.
bottom line:
That's pretty thin too - I know it's a trend here in these lower tier drams... Oh, I'd pass.
16. Teeling Whiskey Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – Geschmack 14
ABV:46%
Average price: $ 57
Der Whisky:
Teeling is known for supplying many of its whiskeys. This is manufactured entirely in-house at their Dublin facility at Freedoms. The whiskey is a classic triple distilled Irish whiskey made from 50% malted barley and 50% unmalted barley. The whiskey is then aged in ex-bourbon, new oak and ex-sherry casks before being blended and tested.
bottom line:
This is interesting because it balances the grainy, sophisticated, sweet vibe of oatmeal with a well-aged whiskey with real nuance and flavor notes. All in all, I would probably use this to make citrus-infused cocktails.
15. Method and Madness Single Grain Irish Whiskey, aged in bourbon barrels, finished in Spanish oak barrels – key 7
ABV:46%
Average price: $ 69
Der Whisky:
This is Midleton's craft whiskey venture - they have built an independent craft distillery on campus for this whiskey. The single grain spirit is matured in unused Spanish oak and old bourbon barrels. This is then small batch tested with County Cork soft water and bottled in a retro art deco bottle.
bottom line:
This is a real stranger. This is no small thing. this whiskey isbuiltbeing a weirdo and there's real depth. You just have to be really in the mood for something different to enjoy this one.
14. McConnell's Irish Whiskey Aged 5 Years - Taste 10
ABV:42%
Average price: $ 32
Der Whisky:
This Irish whiskey is produced from barrels of sweet bourbon. The blend is a blend of single malt and grain Irish whiskeys that have been aged in bourbon barrels for a minimum of five years before being blended, tested and bottled.
bottom line:
This is a pretty standard blended whiskey. It works well with cola or ginger ale.
13. Jameson Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey - Flavor 2
ABV:40%
Average price: $ 29
Der Whisky:
The whiskey is a blend of single still (made from malted and unmalted barley) and grain whiskeys. These whiskeys are aged in ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry casks until they reach the classic sweet spot that makes Jameson Jameson. These barrels are then blended, inspected and bottled.
bottom line:
This really is a highball mix (it's literally built for it). Add some ginger ale and a little lemon and you're done.
12. Northcross Triple Wood Irish Whiskey – Geschmack 1
ABV:43%
Average price: $ 24
Der Whisky:
This brand new whiskey from Ireland's Great Northern Distillery is a classic oak-inspired blend. The whiskey is made from triple distilled Irish whiskey aged in ex-bourbon, ex-Oloroso sherry and new American oak barrels. These barrels were then blended, sealed and bottled.
bottom line:
This whiskey is a step above the blenders above. I would use this for whiskey cocktails. There's just enough in the flavor profile to really make for an enjoyable drink. However, there are better cocktail whiskeys on this list.
11. The Irishman Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Geschmack 3
ABV:40%
Average price: $ 44
Der Whisky:
This whiskey is made from Irish barley, which is milled and then triple distilled. The hot juice is then transferred to ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks for a long maturation (age not stated). These barrels are then blended and the whiskey tested for bottling.
bottom line:
This is a beautiful, deep whiskey that I could see taking a few stones or turning into a solid cocktail. If you're looking for something purely classic and versatile, this is definitely worth a try.
10. Bushmills Prohibition Recipe Irish Whiskey Shelby Edition - Sabor 4
ABV:46%
Average price: $ 23
Der Whisky:
This new release from Bushmills celebrates the sixth and final season of Peaky Blinders. The whiskey in the bottle is a classic Irish whiskey blend made from ex-bourbon barrels (three to five years old) and bottled without cold filtration, hence the higher proof.
bottom line:
This is one of the best cocktail whiskeys on this list. It works with any application, from bitter to sweet to citrus. It's not too bad on some rocks either. And if you are a fan ofPeaky Blinders, so this is an obvious buy.
9. Waterford Irish Single Malt Whisky Heritage Hunter – Geschmack 8
ABV:50%
Average price: $ 129
Der Whisky:
This new release from the beloved Waterford of whiskey nerds in Ireland is named after pioneering plant breeder Dr. Named Herbert Hunter. The initial cultivation of the barley for this whiskey started with a 50 gram bag of Hunter barley. Over several seasons they produced enough barley to fill 50 barrels of whiskey using two other nearly extinct historic barley varieties, Goldthorpe and Old Irish. Finally, the whiskey in the bottles was a blend of 45% first-fill ex-bourbon, 19% new American oak, 21% French oak, and 15% Vin Doux Naturel casks (a sweet wine from the south of France). .
bottom line:
This is the whiskey to buy when you want to expand and learn your palate. There's a bit of "Am I sitting in a classroom?" Enjoy the wildness and newness of this whiskey, but it's well worth expanding your Irish whiskey knowledge.
8. Waterford Irish Single Malt Whiskey Organic Gaia 2.1 – Geschmack 16
ABV:50%
Average price: $ 95
Der Whisky:
This new addition to the Arcadian series is made from Old Barley (old school barley strains) harvested in 2016. The barley was grown by organic farmers specifically for this wort. The whiskey was then triple distilled and aged by Waterford to bring out the malted barley in the recipe.
bottom line:
I ranked these blinds and these two ended up basically equal. Same goes for this Waterford like the one above. This is a learning whiskey where you will enrich your palate while experiencing something totally new and fresh from the region. If this trip isn't your thing, check out this list for something simpler.
7. Jameson Black Barrel Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey - Sabor 17
ABV:40%
Average price: $ 45
Der Whisky:
This masterfully crafted whiskey is modeled more on single pot whiskeys than grain whiskeys. These whiskeys are aged between eight and 16 years in an ex-sherry and ex-bourbon blend. The whiskey is then finished in an extra charred ex-bourbon barrel, giving rise to the nickname 'Black Barrel', before being blended and tasted.
bottom line:
Speaking of 'simple', this whiskey has serious depth that appeals to the senses. This is also the best cocktail base on this list. If you plan on making Irish whiskey cocktails all month long, this is the only whiskey on hand.
6. Gael Irish Whiskey – Geschmack 19
ABV:46%
Average price: $ 93
Der Whisky:
The latest batch of J.J. Corey bends over the oldest kegs in his inventory. The juice is made from 60/40 malt and grain whiskey. The barrels are between seven and well over 25 years old - they are all produced in-house. These barrels are expertly blended and then released in small, limited batches of just a few thousand bottles.
bottom line:
Here we come to serious whiskeys. This is a beautiful sipper with great nuances. It doesn't have the wow factor or depth of the next five entries, but this is really splitting hairs at this point.
5. Clonakilty Irish Whiskey Cask Finish Series Port Cask Finish – Taste 20
ABV:43,6%
Average price: $ 53
Der Whisky:
This fan favorite whiskey has just released its latest batch. The whiskey is a nine year old Irish grain whiskey blended with a classic Irish single malt. The whiskey was then gently fermented and put back into barrels from the famous Douro Valley. These barrels were stored across the Atlantic in Ireland until perfect.
bottom line:
There's a slight basement funk that I love. However, I can see this being off-putting to some palates. Still, this is a fun whiskey that balances the port finish really well with a really deep overall profile. If you are looking for something different but still really good then this is the piece.
4. Writers' Tears Red Head Irish Whiskey – Geschmack 12
ABV:46%
Average price: $ 199
Der Whisky:
This is a classic Irish single malt that is triple distilled before a long aging process. The hot juice rests in barrels of Spanish Oloroso sherry until perfect. These barrels are stacked and inspected before being bottled as is.
bottom line:
That was delicious. It was a little lighter than the next three when it comes to flavor profile complexity. But I wouldn't refuse that pinch at all. It's a really good whiskey that delivers.
3. Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Kentucky Oak Edition – Geschmack 9
ABV:50,5%
Average price: $ 199
Der Whisky:
This is a classic Redbreast Tripled Distiller Single Pot Still Whiskey (made from a blend of malted and unmalted barley). The juice is aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks for several years before being cubed and then poured back into new air-aged American oak casks from Taylor Farm in Kentucky. After four months, the whiskey is blended and barely tested before being bottled as is.
bottom line:
It felt like the perfect bridge between bourbon and Irish whiskey. It is very tasty and very balanced. It continues too, meandering through delicious flavor notes. So if you want your bourbon fiend friends to get hooked on Irish whiskey, this is the bottle for them. This is also what makes Manhattan extraordinary.
2. Gold Spot Single Pot Stull Irish Whiskey 135th Anniversary Limited Edition 9 Year Old - Flavor 6
ABV:51,4%
Average price: $ 115
Der Whisky:
The latest release from Mitchell & Son's popular 'spot' whiskey range is a blend of nine-year-old ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The whiskey is finished for final blending/aging in Port and Bordeaux barrels.
bottom line:
This could also be a tie for first place. This is a brilliant whiskey with zero flaws.
1. Clonakilty Irish Whiskey Single Batch Double Oak Finish – Geschmack 11
ABV:43,6%
Average price: $ 43
Der Whisky:
This award-winning Irish blend is all about aging and seaside vibes. The blend is made from whiskeys aged in ex-bourbon barrels that are finished in new American oak barrels. This is then blended with the same barrel-aged ex-bourbon whiskey that has been finished in red Bordeaux wine barrels that have been specially scraped and reconditioned for this bottling.
bottom line:
No notes. Take this. It's delicious, deep and just wonderful.
Part 3: Final Considerations
There was a big difference in the quality of the whiskeys between the top and bottom of this ranking. If you wish, you can skip the last five directly. Medium is good for mixing, depending on what you're looking for. But I would even say skip that and get the Jameson Black Barrel if you want a solid cocktail base.
Then there is the top 6. All of these whiskeys are worth seeking out and trying, especially the top three. Go back and review the tasting notes. Find out which one catches your interest. Then click this pricing link to try it out for yourself. You won't be disappointed.