Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey is one of the oldest distilling traditions in the world. Its signature style is smooth, light, and approachable — the whiskey most often recommended to beginners.

By law, Irish whiskey must be:

• Made and matured on the island of Ireland.
• Distilled from a mash of malted and/or unmalted cereal grains.
• Distilled to less than 94.8% ABV.
• Aged at least 3 years in wooden casks on the island.
• Bottled at 40% ABV or higher.

There are four legal categories:

• Single Pot Still — uniquely Irish. Made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley in pot stills at one distillery. Creamy, spicy, full-bodied (e.g., Redbreast, Green Spot).
• Single Malt — 100% malted barley from one distillery. Usually triple-distilled (e.g., Bushmills 10).
• Single Grain — other grains (usually corn or wheat) from a single distillery, distilled in a column still. Lighter, fruitier.
• Blended Irish — a blend of two or more of the above. This is the biggest category and includes Jameson, Tullamore D.E.W., and Powers.

Triple distillation — running the spirit through the still three times instead of two — strips out heavier compounds and gives Irish whiskey its famous smoothness. Most Irish, but not all, is triple-distilled.