The Best Everyday Irish Whiskies for Your Home Bar
Irish whiskey is a pretty democratic category as far as whiskies go. Many of us came of age drinking Jameson as a go-to before we even understood that it was whiskey – although unlike a lot of spirits we may have ingested in our wayward youth, it’s a pretty decent product for its modest price point (one that we might still deign to drink as adults). The category has been growing and diversifying, thanks to a proliferation of small distilleries, single malts, and unique cash finishes. Yet blended Irish whiskey is a steadfast bar staple that remains something that can bridge the divide between early whiskey adopters and those with well developed palates. Plus, it makes for nice cocktails.
While Jameson is a fine thing to keep at home, especially for an Irish coffee occasion, if you’re looking to stock your bar with something less obvious, there are a number of blended Irish whiskeys to consider. I queried several bartenders for the brands they recommend as quality products in their own right – pours that are great both for cocktails and for sipping, that are reasonably priced and widely available, and that represent both the old guard and the new. Here are their suggestions for seven of the best everyday Irish whiskeys for your home bar.
Dunville’s 1808 Blended Irish Whiskey. Photo credit Dunville’s
Avg. Price $22.99 | 80 Proof
A favorite among American bartenders, Dunville’s 1808 is among the most moderately priced Irish whiskey selections, but one that you can count on for over-delivery, given its reputation for drinking way above its price point. How’s that for an ideal home bar selection? It has also been the recipient of several accolades since its brand relaunch in 2013, when the legacy Belfast brand was reestablished after shuttering in 1935. (1808 refers to the year in which it was originally founded.)
Tasting notes: Crisp orchard fruits predominate here, with notes of almond shortbread. The citrus element is sweet and rich rather than tart – more lemon curd than lemon zest, punctuated by a snap of white pepper spice. There’s no peat on this entry-level blended whiskey, but you wouldn't be faulted for picking up a faint whiff of smoke.
Slane Triple Casked Irish Whiskey. Photo credit Slane
Avg. Price $28 | 80 Proof
One of the newer generation of Irish whiskeys, the brand Slane was founded in 2009, with a dedicated distillery established in 2017 in partnership with American importer and distributor Brown-Forman. While its price remains modest, and its American distribution mechanism allows for wide availability, Slane has a unique claim among Irish whiskey brands in being an estate producer in more than one sense of the word. First, the distillery was built into carriage houses on the estate of Slane Castle, and second, the estate actually grows its own barley used in the whiskey.
Tasting notes: In the glass, it’s immediately evident that Slane is a richer Irish whiskey option, even in the greater blended Irish whiskey category. Green apple becomes baked apple, vanilla becomes butterscotch, and the toast is dialed up a notch. Virgin oak, among its cask finishes, imbues a roundness in the mouth.
Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey. Photo credit Glendalough
MSRP $35.99 | 84 Proof
Glendalough’s label features St. Kevin, the patron saint of nature lovers, a tribute to the inspiration taken from the brand’s idyllic Glendalough Valley home, surrounded by the lush Wicklow mountains. Another modern classic selection prized by the bar industry, the brand is a relative newcomer, kicking off in 2011 just ahead of the Irish whiskey renaissance. Its whiskeys, however, have quickly attracted the attention of the bar industry and whiskey enthusiasts.
Tasting notes: While Glendalough Double Barrel follows a common approach – aging whiskey in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks – the care that’s been paid to specially selected Oloroso casks make for some nice differentiation. The selection is ideal for those looking for something a little richer and fruitier: think darker fruits that lean chocolate-covered cherry, with a hint of ginger and earth.
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey. Photo credit Teeling
Avg. Price $39.99 | 80 Proof
Teeling was established in 2012 by a long-standing whiskey family whose distillation history goes back to 1782. Its new distillery, developed by Jack and Stephen Teeling, opened in 2015 – the first new distillery to open in Dublin city in more than 125 years. The current Teeling generation broke a major barrier in whiskey when it became the first Irish whiskey to win Best Single Malt at the World Whiskey Awards in 2019. The Small Batch blend is a premium product at a still-approachable price, another favorite among bartenders.
Tasting notes: Both grain and malt distillates in Teeling Small Batch contribute to an approachable whiskey that unfolds in layers of exotic fruit, a honeyed malt, and moderate spice. Rum casks offer a point of departure in the Irish whiskey category and add a light brown sugar-like sweetness without discernible weight.
Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey. Photo credit Tullamore D.E.W.
Avg. Price $32 | 80 Proof
Second to Jameson, Tullamore D.E.W. is the next-best-selling brand of Irish whiskey in the US. While many are inclined to pronounce it as “Tullamore dew,” the D-E-W refers to initials of the brand’s founder, Daniel E. Williams. The brand, which dates back to 1829, is one of the few brands to exist both before and after Prohibition, and its triple blend, triple distilled entry whiskey is the first Irish whiskey to blend three spirits with three distinct finishes together.
Tasting notes: A balance of fruit and spice coming from each of its components: malted and unmalted pot still barley, single malt, and grain whiskey, with finishes in neutral refill barrels, ex-Bourbon barrels, and ex-sherry butts. As a paradigm for the category, expect bright notes such as green apple and light citrus, rounded with toasted wood and sweet spice, finishing with nuts and butter, and a mellow lingering spice.
Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey. Photo credit Bushmills
Avg. Price $31.99 | 80 Proof
Named for the River Bush in Northern Ireland’s County Antrim, Bushmills is a favorite Jameson alternative in Ireland. It is also the island’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. The distillery itself dates back to 1784, but the distillation license, which dates back to 1608, has another 150-plus years to back it up. This whiskey’s light and lively character, underscored with a touch of yeasty, creamy richness, make it a versatile choice and an easy entry-level bottle for Irish whiskey beginners.
Tasting notes: Bushmills Original is composed of 100 percent malted barley, with cask finishes that include ex-Bourbon and ex-sherry. It is light on its feet among whiskeys in the category, with melon and pear joining the lineup of bright fruits on the nose. Dried fruit and faint spice appear on the palate, along with a whiff of cocoa.
Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey. Photo credit Powers
Avg. Price $32.99 | 86.4 Proof
Besides Jameson, Powers is the other major Irish whiskey with historical roots in Dublin dating back to 1791. While Tullamore D.E.W. is the second-best-seller for the category in the US, Powers holds that distinction in Ireland. As a long-standing option in the category that isn’t as well-known or widespread, this makes it a solid choice for in-the-know American drinkers. And at 86 proof, its extra power also makes it a nice home bar option for cocktails.
Tasting notes: The higher ABV (43.2%) of Powers Gold Label gives it a noticeable boldness, with little extra spice character and a subtle sting. The heat also amplifies the cereal grain on the nose, and gives it a drier finish than many others here. Between the sip and the finish, you’ll find toffee, cinnamon, and citrus peel.