Our list of the best Irish whiskeys goes like this.

Thanks to a holdover license from a previous operation, Bushmills claims to be the oldest licensed distillery in the world. It’s also one of Ireland’s best, offering a range of popular blends and acclaimed single malts. The 10-year Single Malt is fruity, full-bodied, and sweet, while the 21-Year Single Malt is basically liquid heaven. The brand’s flagship blend, meanwhile, is as affordable as it is dependable.

Equipped with three copper pot stills, Teeling Distillery opened in 2015 and became Dublin’s first new distillery in over 125 years. It was founded by the Teeling family—previous owners of Cooley Distillery—who continue to use Cooley’s mature stock while aging their own distillate on-site. The Small Batch statement is certainly a reliable sipper, but it was Teeling Single Grain that grabbed our tastebuds’ attention. From the Single Grain, expect creamy notes of chocolate milk and just a touch of spice toward the finish.

More than the world’s most popular Irish whiskey brand (by a substantial margin), Jameson is one of the best-selling labels, period. Seriously, try to find a bar on the planet that doesn’t keep scores of Jameson on hand—we dare you. What’s surprising, however, is the consistent tier of quality and drinkability delivered by the label’s flagship statement, despite all that mass production.

Next time you’re at the bar, ask the guy on your right to name his favourite Irish whiskey and then ask the guy on your left. Odds are they both said Redbreast. That’s because this wildly popular brand delivers a downright exceptional product, albeit one that will cost a bit more than your average dram.

Here’s another single pot still Irish whiskey that hails from the same distillery as Jameson, but nevertheless strikes its own distinguished accord. Aged and matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, Green Spot serves up dense aromas of vanilla and toffee along with a wonderful, fruit-forward taste. It’s crafted for Dublin’s Mitchell & Son, making it just one of two whiskeys specifically produced for and sold by an independent wine merchant in Ireland. Put simply, there’s nothing else quite like it.

Representing a blend of single pot still and single malt whiskeys, this relatively new label pays tribute to Ireland’s long history of brilliant, miserable writers. One might expect it to go harsh on the palate, but the opposite is true. In fact, Writers Tears might very well be the easiest drinking Irish whiskey to ever cross your lips.

The second-most popular Irish whiskey brand on the world stage, Tullamore D.E.W. has a history going all the way back to 1829. At the forefront of its range is Tullamore D.E.W. Original, a tasty blend that’s aged and matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. For something a little more unique, try the 12-Year Special Reserve or the Trilogy 15-Year. You’ll be glad you did.

There’s a decent chance you haven’t heard of West Cork, but this independent distillery has come a long way in little time. Statements such as the 10-Year Single Malt are warm, toasty, and sweet. Coming in at 124 proof is the Cask Strength blend, which packs a wallop in terms of strength and flavour alike. While the brand’s current portfolio won’t necessarily blow your mind, it’s easily worth exploring.

Crafted at Cooley Distillery, Connemara’s flagship single malt is among the few peated Irish whiskeys on the market. As such, it delivers ample smoke on the nose and palate. Also present are notes of honey, barley, chocolate, and salt. If you’re looking for something a little different than the standard Irish fare, you’ve found it here.

Within Hyde’s range, you’ll find whiskeys from some of Ireland’s best distilleries, which the brand personally finishes in vintage oak casks. Nothing is chill-filtered, meaning you can expect natural flavours, textures, and colours alike. The No. 1 Presidents Cask Sherry Finish is arguably the brand’s foremost statement. It’s a pure single malt from Cooley Distillery that’s aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks.

What’s more Irish than a brand named after a historic castle? That brand is Knappogue Castle and it dispenses with some legendary sippers. Among them are the 16-Year Sherry Cask Finished and the 12-Year Bourbon Cask Matured, both of which are triple-distilled and impeccably smooth as a result. The brand also earns points for its acclaimed limited-edition releases, such as the 1994 Master Distiller’s Private Selection.

Brands like Jameson, Redbreast, and Green Spot originate from Midleton Distillery, which happens to offer its own limited-edition releases. The label’s most recent expression is Midleton Very Rare 2018, a premium blend that’s as distinguished as it sounds. Crafted in honour of Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett, it’s one of the best Irish whiskeys you’ll ever taste, presuming you can score a bottle.

Powers Gold Label was both the first Irish whiskey to be bottled and (at one time) the country’s best-selling whiskey. Thanks to a recent relaunch, the legend is back and arguably as great as ever. Powers John’s Lane Release 12-Year is every bit as rewarding as all the acclaim suggests, while the revived Powers Gold Label is certainly nothing to scoff at. No matter what you pick up from this iconic brand, expect it to go down smooth and tasty.

What began as one of the world’s greatest liquor stores is now the name behind some truly rare and delicious juice. After establishing itself on the retail front, the Celtic Whiskey Shop in Dublin started bottling premium whiskeys from veteran distilleries under the banner of Celtic Cask. Experienced sippers swear by expressions like the Cuig Deag and Ocht 8 Single Malt 1991. Oh, who are we kidding? There isn’t a bad release in the bunch. Sure, the price tags are high, but you get what you pay for, i.e. some of the best whiskey in Ireland. Yum.

The tradition of distilling whiskey in Ireland goes all the way back to 12th-century Irish monks. In fact, the word “whiskey” is Irish in origin (it translates to a phrase mentioned above—see if you can find it). Origin stories aside, you might be wondering, what distinguishes Irish whiskey from Bourbon or Scotch in terms of production and taste? Let’s take a before diving into the best Irish whiskey brands you can find.

Nearly all sub-genres of whiskey abide by a strict set of regulations, and Irish whiskey is no exception. First and foremost, it must be distilled and matured in Ireland – well, duh. Secondly, it must come from a mash of malted cereals with or without whole grains of other cereals, which has been fermented by the action of yeast, distilled at an ABV of no more than 94.8 per cent, and aged for at least three years in wooden casks. The resulting spirit must have a minimum ABV of 40 per cent.

There are a variety of Irish whiskey types, and they are as follows:

You can be sure that every entry in Man of Many’s list of the best Irish whiskey brands will go down smoothly and deliver a distinctive tier of character. Our team of whisky experts have narrowed down a succinct list of favourites, removing all those that yield significant burn and leave a foul taste behind. Ultimately, finding a good bottle of Irish whiskey is a matter of preference. For instance, some drinkers prefer a peaty variety, while others prefer a bottle that balances notes of spice and sweetness. We recommend checking out our round-up below and starting with a classic Jameson before moving onto something like a Bushmills 16-year-old, it’s our personal daily driver.