It’s the best way to truly taste the whiskey. “I am a big fan of Green Spot for its light body and delightfully fresh green apple notes,” says Yamachika. Generally more affordable and approachable than both bourbon and scotch, Irish whiskey is an easy-drinking spirit perfect for both whiskey beginners and experts alike. Justine Sterling is an experienced spirits writer and cocktail recipe developer. From award-winning writing and photography to binge-ready videos to electric live events, GQ meets millions of modern men where they live, creating the moments that create conversations. A Whiskey Ginger made with Jameson is so popular that it has become its own cocktail: the Jamo and Ginger. This is definitely the type of Irish whiskey I imagine was popular in America back then." How to Drink Irish Whiskey. And that’s a shame. Perfect for an Irish coffee. The things we hear you say. “When it comes to Irish whiskey, all of my nostalgia goes to Jameson,” says Ellenwood. From aged single malts to cask-finished pot still expressions, here are the 12 best Irish whiskeys for 2020, tasted and ranked. The high proportion of corn used to make it gives it a sweeter flavor that calms some of the alcohol burn. They’re the best-selling single pot Irish whiskey in the world, producing rich bottles since 1857. Add 25ml of rebellious spirit. Teeling's single-grain whiskey went home with the World's Best Grain Whisky title at the World Whiskies Awards in 2014 and continues to slay. World Whisky Day 2020: Best Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, Bourbon and more. Powers John Lane Release. Rivaling some of the top bourbons and Japanese whiskeys in quality, this is the bottle you break out after a successful dinner party. There are lots of very excellent reasons why you might want to drink your whiskey neat, all on its own. The world of Irish whiskey is a difficult one to crack, however, with many of the best varieties unavailable outside of Ireland. Powers fits the bill nicely with its slightly higher proof (86.4), zesty flavor, and budget-friendly price point. Food & Drink 10 Irish whiskeys you to drink at least once in your life. Easy to identify, The Sexton boasts a unique, black-and-gold, angular bottle. This Irish whiskey was so inspiringly delicious that it made our list for best whiskies of the year. The spirit acts like a squeeze of citrus, bringing brightness to the drink. Ten great Irish whiskeys you'll want to keep for yourself Irish whiskey has never been hotter, but discovering what you like takes time. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Plus, the category just keeps growing and becoming more available in the U.S. Only a few years ago, the Irish whiskey section of your liquor store may have been limited to just three or four big brands. Another option for serving neat Jameson whiskey is over rocks. It’s fun. 15 Irish Whiskeys for St. Patrick’s Day 2020 Green Spot 10 Year Irish Whiskey ($333) “Not to be confused with the regular NAS (No Age Statement) Green Spot, this whiskey is … "This is one of my go-tos," says McGarry. The most popular whiskies in Ireland are Bushmills, Tullamore Dew, Jameson, Red Breast, Teeling and Powers Gold Label. There's no blend here—instead, it’s a single pot still Irish whiskey, meaning it's made from a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley and produced at one distillery in copper pot stills. With apricots, honey, and toasted nuts on the nose, it shows up soft and velvety on the palate with a long, lingering finish, and it certainly deserves to be enjoyed straight. Northern Ireland’s Bushmills is probably the second best known Irish whiskey out there, mostly for its signature blend. Best Overall: Knappogue Castle 12 Year Single Malt, Best Splurge: Knappogue Castle 16 Year Single Malt, Best Single Malt: Tullamore D.E.W. Die besten Irish Whiskeys – unsere Empfehlungen: 1. The perfect introduction for newcomers, this whiskey is made from 90% grain and 10% malted barley which gives it a light, floral and slightly sweet taste. The 21 year-old ($108, 40% ABV), which is aged in a similar mix of casks, amps up the fullness. A strong blended Irish whiskeystrong is what is considered the best Irish whiskey best Irish whiskey under 20 powerfulJameson Irish Whiskeystrong. Try it in an Irish Coffee or sip it straight with some dark chocolate for a perfect, after-dinner treat. If you enjoy the taste of alcohol, you may prefer drinking your whiskey neat. “For a long time, that was pretty much the only bottle we ever needed to make sure we had in stock at the bar; it was also the bottle we ran out of the fastest.”. It goes well with spicy, tangy, citrusy, caramel, coffee, and bitter flavors. Discussing how he drinks whiskey … is aged in demerara rum casks, giving it some unusual Caribbean island flavors. When it comes to Irish Coffee, you need a reasonably priced whiskey that can stand up to the strong flavor of the sweetened coffee. While the green-labeled Tullamore D.E.W. Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our 12. "It's well-crafted spirit. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Jameson is arguably the best-known name in Irish whiskey. 1 / 10. via jamesonwhiskey.com. “The three different casks it ages in all add a little something different to be enjoyed.” Tame the spice with an ice cube or use its heft to your advantage in a cocktail like an Old Fashioned or a New York Sour. into a whiskey glass. The 13 Best New Irish Whiskeys to Drink for St. Patrick's Day, or Any Day Irish whiskey is getting more and more popular in the States, and for good reason. This will not only give you a better idea of the whiskey’s flavor and aroma, but will also help you decide whether or not you really want to mix it with anything. Pour 50ml Tullamore D.E.W. What’s the best whiskey to drink neat? 9. Taste: On the nose you will be able to find banana skins, there is some butter mint. Pouring the spirit over a single large ice cube only enhances those crisp, fruity notes, transforming the Irish whiskey into a refreshing drink. 14 Year Single Malt, Most Unique: Tullamore D.E.W. It’s still undeniably an Irish whiskey, though, with its cereal backbone, bright, crisp flavors, and toasty finish. Tullamore D.E.W. But which Bourbon should you choose for the perfect, whiskey-based cocktail? "This is what I envision an Irish whiskey to be," says McGarry. Typically, it is made with Irish whiskey. Also, you’ll be in good company with this drinking method. With its rich history, complex flavor, and pedigreed musical ties (Slane Castle has hosted performances from U2, David Bowie, and Queen), this affordable bottling is a steal. What sets Green Spot apart however, is that it's part of the single pot still (something that only happens in Ireland). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. It wins you points with your friends, your date, and your bartender (especially if you happen to be a petite, innocent-seeming girl like me). Locke's 8 Year Old "This is what I envision an Irish whiskey to be," says McGarry. Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey. It’s a ubiquitous bar staple, and with good reason—light, easy, and grain-forward, it’s a solid workhouse to keep stocked at all times. Whether it's St. Patrick's Day or you're simply a fan of this style of whiskey, there are many great cocktail recipes to try.. Serve Jameson Irish Whiskey at room temperature, which is 60 degrees to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The Best Liquor to Drink Neat, According to Bartenders If you want to drink an unfussy bottle of liquor, it better be a good one, since there's nothing else in the glass for it to hide behind. In a world where most people consider Guinness to be their Irish drink of choice, Jameson has done an incredible job of making drinkers rethink what Irish whiskey really means. There is a lot of honey and vanilla, which are signs of the ex-Bourbon casks that they use. Pour pride and defiance to taste. Expect to be hit with a lot of plum and spice. Matthew Kelly/Supercall. "In the 19th century, Irish whiskey was the best-selling whiskey in America, much more popular than scotch. Made in Ireland’s County Cork since 1779, Paddy’s is a blend of three styles of Irish whiskey: column still grain, malt, and pot still. Known as a lighter whiskey without heavy notes of smoke or oaky vanilla flavors, there's a wide range of Irish whiskeys to be sampled and enjoyed. By Dillon Mafit. Irish coffee is a delicious anytime cocktail that, when done right (follow these steps), can be one of the best whiskey drinks in the world. With aromatics of … 6 Best Cheap Whiskeys Good Enough To Drink Straight. There are notes of ripe pineapple, cocoa, and caramel in this spirit, along with a hint of coconut to bring the concept home. Affordable whiskey sounds contradictory these days, with some new players on the block charging outrageous prices like $120 for a 2-year-old rye, and … Share this article: IRELAND has a rich and varied whiskey making tradition that dates back to the 1600s. Irish whiskey is smooth and creates impressive drinks. Then we distil them three times-not that we have to because we want to because it gives it the smoothness of its signature. Related Whiskey Guides: The Best Cheap Whiskey Which whiskey do Irish people drink? Jameson is a popular Irish whiskey that tastes great neat, with your favorite mixer, or in a cocktail. Bushmills 21 Jahre . "In the 19th century, Irish whiskey was the best-selling whiskey in America, much more popular than scotch. It's got a good hint of bourbon in it." The familiar green bottle can be found in nearly any bar and liquor store in the world. 5. Serve with a … But now, it’s positively overflowing with bottles marked with different age statements and barrel finishes. Plus, at around $100 (or sometimes less), it’s a splurge you can justify. The signature, entry-level release from independent bottler Knappogue Castle is triple distilled in copper pot stills for a bright, clean start, then aged in bourbon casks for 12 years. Some of the greatest whiskeys available come from the Emerald Isle, as does the primary ancestry of at least 35 million North Americans. Every day of the year is a good day to drink Irish whiskey, but St. Patrick's Day is an especially good day to do so. Overall, it’s a great introduction for anyone who’s looking for … “If I’m looking to sip it, I really love Redbreast because of the sherry notes it picks up in the aging process,” says Jena Ellenwood, bartender at Dear Irving and Sparrow Tavern in New York City. A spicy palate and wine-like tannic finish are signatures of this Irish whiskey. Extremely easy to drink with barely any burning heat, Redbreast’s 12 Year offering is great for whiskey beginners looking for a bottle to drink neat—and the perfect next step of your Irish whiskey journey. Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Published on 12/26/2017 at 1:18 PM . Best Irish whiskey: our 12 favourites to drink in 2020 Top tipples from the Emerald Isle. Plus, you can’t argue with the emotional pull of a classic like a Jamo and Ginger. Now though, there are a profusion of both invigorated old brands and exciting new entrants to the market, all seeking to rectify our ignorance of what its adherents claim is the original whisk(e)y. Not only is it readily available and reliable, but it’s also extremely affordable. While there are tried and true favorites like the Irish coffee, Irish whiskey is surprisingly versatile. Well first we take the best of pot still and fine grain whiskeys. Her home bar is always stocked with a range of spirits, from the staples to the downright strange, and she has serious opinions about Martinis. Jerry Langton. Here is a list of the best Irish whiskeys. BY: Jack Beresford May 13, 2020. shares 3.7k. If adding a couple of ice cubes makes the drink more palatable for you, then who are we to say you shouldn’t? The second-best-selling Irish whiskey is nothing to scoff at. Get our best cocktail recipes, tips, and more when you sign up for our newsletter. Try it after dinner. Jameson. By Jonah Flicker Slane hails from the Boyne River Valley, which was once home to many other distilleries, and is one of the few that has revitalized the tradition. This is a wonderfully comforting drink on a cold, rainy day. ... We've added The Sexton Single Malt and The Dead Rabbit to our best Irish whiskey list - both great tipples for very different reasons. An established classic and the world’s best-selling Irish whiskey. Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey is a triple-distilled whiskey that has been patiently aged in a mix of ex-sherry and bourbon casks. The green-spotted barrel won out, and today it lives on as a blend of single pot still whiskeys aged in both ex-bourbon barrels and sherry casks. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. It goes well with most mixers, but it’s particularly excellent with ginger ale or ginger beer for more spice. Ingredients 1.5 oz Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey.25 oz rich Demerara syrup 5 oz hot coffee A pinch of salt 3 cardamom pods 5-6 oz heavy cream 2 tbsp white sugar Zest from an orange Concannon is now made by Cooley, one of Ireland’s recent upstart distilleries expected to pump out excellent product as it comes of age. Read Next: The Best Whiskey Glasses, According to Experts. For many North Americans, their only taste of Irish whiskey usually comes from a shot glass after a few beers on St. Patrick’s Day. But if he had to pick just one? The 16 year old ($75, 40%ABV) is aged in ex-Bourbon barrels, Oloroso sherry casks, and finished in port wood—it's packed with spice, vanilla and chocolate complexity. Although it's a great drink neat or on the rocks, it shines in an Old Fashioned. A wheated Bourbon combined with a large dash of bitters will result in a well rounded, spice-heavy Old Fashioned. Justine Sterling is a New York-based writer and editor specializing in food, wine and spirits. © 2020 Condé Nast. Best Bourbon to drink neat: Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Bourbon (90 proof) 9. (And, truth be told, there's too much bad stuff to weed through.) It’s triple distilled with a toasty flavor. This tropical whiskey from Tullamore D.E.W. Green Spot Single Pot Irish Still Whiskey: Best Irish whiskey. Due to its rich, warm depth of flavor yet crowd-pleasing versatility — I give Teeling my seal of approval as Editor's Choice. Originally created in the 1800s for merchant company Mitchell & Son using distillate from Jameson’s Bow Street Distillery, the name “Green Spot” comes from the method in which the Mitchells would mark the ages of their whiskey casks. Triple distilled in copper pot stills, this Irish whiskey is aged in ex-Oloroso sherry casks for a mellow, honeyed finish. If you're heading to Ireland, be sure to bring some home. Bushmills 16­­­–Year Old Irish Whiskey ($120) “A top whiskey, without a doubt. "They have three different 10-year expressions—sherry, port, and madeira. "The 10 year-old ($50, 40% ABV) is just a beautifully made whiskey. "Tyrconnel was one of the first distillers to really play around with wood finishes," explains McGarry. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. That said, feel free to experiment with this oddball whiskey in drinks typically made with rum, such as a Piña Colada or a Mai Tai. To get the most taste out of neat whiskey, first smell the whiskey in your glass two to three times with your mouth open. The result is a platonic ideal of an Irish whiskey: incredibly sippable, yet nuanced with layered flavors of apples and cinnamon toast. 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