Top Irish Whiskey Brands You Need to Savor

Irish whiskey has seen a significant resurgence in popularity, thanks to its smooth, approachable flavors and rich heritage. A variety of exceptional brands offer distinctive experiences, whether you are a seasoned enthusiast or new to the world of Irish whiskey. From the time-tested traditions of Jameson and Bushmills to the innovative flair of Redbreast and Teeling, there is a whiskey to suit every palate. To explore these renowned brands and discover what makes each of them unique, read on below.

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Best brands of irish whiskey in 2025

Jameson

Jameson is the world's best-selling Irish whiskey, known for its smooth and flavorful profile achieved through triple distillation in copper stills. In the 2021-22 financial year, Jameson sold 10.4 million cases, a significant increase from the 8.4 million cases sold in the previous year. Produced by Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, Jameson has been a global leader in Irish whiskey since the early 19th century. The brand is available in over 130 countries and has seen consistent growth, with sales passing 8 million cases in 2019 and reaching 10.2 million cases in 2023. Jameson's production process involves blending grain whiskey and single pot still whiskey, aged in oak casks for a minimum of 4 years. For more information about Jameson Irish Whiskey, visit their official website.

Redbreast

Redbreast is renowned as one of the best producers of Irish whiskey, celebrated for its ultra-premium quality and rich history dating back to the 1800s. The brand is recognized for its traditional Irish pot still style, using a mix of malted and unmalted barley from farms in the Munster region and water from the Dungourney River. Redbreast expressions, such as the 21 Year Old and 27 Year Old, have garnered numerous awards, including Platinum medals at the 2024 Beverage Testing Institute Awards and accolades like Jim Murray's Irish Whiskey of the Year. The 21 Year Old, in particular, is aged for at least 21 years in first fill ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels, boasting a 46% ABV and a complex, fruity flavor profile. Redbreast's meticulous craftsmanship and legacy have solidified its position as a definitive expression of Irish whiskey. Explore more about Redbreast's offerings on their official website.

Bushmills

Bushmills, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world since 1608, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 1 million nine-litre case sales for the first time in 2022, marking a 9.7% rise in volume sales from the previous year. This growth is attributed to the brand's commitment to exceptional whiskey production, including the recent opening of the £37m Causeway Distillery, which has more than doubled its production capacity. Bushmills is renowned for its triple-distilled single malts and innovative aging processes, using 100% Irish malted barley. The brand's products, such as Bushmills Original and Black Bush, are aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, contributing to their unique flavor profiles. As the second biggest Irish distillery with an annual production capacity of 4.5 million liters, Bushmills continues to be a leading name in the world of Irish whiskey. For more details, visit their official website.

Teeling

Teeling Whiskey is renowned as one of the best producers of Irish whiskey, having garnered over 500 international accolades since its inception. The distillery, which reopened in 2015 in the heart of Dublin, has been awarded "World's Best Irish Whiskey" in multiple categories, including the World Whiskies Awards where their Teeling 28 Year Old Single Malt won in 2021, and their Teeling Single Grain was named "World's Best Single Grain" in 2014. Teeling's innovative approach includes maturing whiskey in various wine casks, such as Sherry, Port, and Madeira, and their Single Pot Still whiskey, made with 50% malted and 50% unmalted barley, has also received significant recognition. The distillery's visitor attraction has also been honored, with Lisa Jameson winning 'Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year' at the 2024 Icons of Irish Whiskey Awards. Teeling's commitment to quality and innovation has solidified its position as a leader in the Irish whiskey industry. For more information, visit their official website.

Green Spot

Green Spot is a renowned producer of Irish whiskey, particularly celebrated for its single pot still tradition. Produced by the Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, Green Spot is aged between 7 to 10 years in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, resulting in a complex flavor profile with notes of green apple, vanilla, and toasted oak. This whiskey is made from a unique blend of malted and unmalted barley, distilled three times in traditional copper pot stills, and is known for its smooth and full-bodied character. Originally crafted for the Mitchell family, who were wine merchants in Dublin since 1805, Green Spot has become a symbol of Irish heritage. With an ABV of 40%, it offers a balanced and approachable whiskey experience. Discover more about their Irish whiskey collections.

Powers

Powers is a renowned brand of Irish whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, with a history dating back to 1791. Known for its high-quality offerings, Powers includes variants like the Powers Gold Label, a triple-distilled blend of pot still and grain whiskey at 43% ABV, and the Powers John's Lane Release, a 12-year-old single pot still whiskey at 46% ABV. The brand also recently introduced Powers Irish Rye in 2023, made from 100% Irish rye grown in County Wexford. Powers has seen significant growth, with a 15% volume increase in the first half of 2023, driven largely by strong sales in the US. The brand is celebrated for its rich, earthy, and spicy flavor profiles, reflecting its commitment to traditional Irish whiskey craftsmanship. For more details on their offerings, visit the Powers Irish Whiskey website.

Tullamore D.E.W.

Tullamore D.E.W. is a renowned brand of Irish whiskey, standing as the second-largest-selling Irish whiskey globally, with sales exceeding 1.5 million cases annually as of 2020. Produced by William Grant & Sons, the brand has a rich history dating back to 1829 and is known for its triple-distilled blend of pot still, malt, and grain whiskey. Tullamore D.E.W. has expanded its portfolio to include various finishes such as Cider Cask Finish and XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish, and it has seen significant growth, including a 12% increase in sales in 2023. Despite facing supply issues, the brand remains strong, particularly in markets like the U.S., Germany, and Central Europe. Tullamore D.E.W. holds a 6.5% share of Irish whiskey sales overall, trailing behind Jameson but leading other competitors. You can explore their diverse whiskey offerings on the Tullamore D.E.W. official website.

Midleton

Midleton Distillery is renowned as one of the premier producers of Irish whiskey, boasting a production capacity of nearly 100 million liters per year and housing over 1.4 million maturing barrels at any given time. The distillery utilizes both pot stills and column stills, producing grain whiskey and single pot still Irish whiskey, with a recent EUR10.5 million investment increasing single pot still production by over 30%. The distillery is home to various brands, including Jameson, Redbreast, and Powers, and has invested heavily in expansion, such as the 2014 investment of around 200 million euros to enhance production and storage facilities. The Dungourney River serves as a crucial water source and historical power supply for the distillery. Midleton's commitment to traditional methods, combined with innovative approaches like the Method and Madness micro-distillery, solidifies its position in the global Irish whiskey market. For more insights into Midleton Distillery, you can follow this link.

Knappogue Castle

Knappogue Castle is a renowned brand of premium single malt Irish whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. The brand is named after the historic Knappogue Castle in County Clare, Ireland, and is known for its commitment to age-stated whiskeys, including the 12, 14, and 16 Year Old expressions. Notably, the Knappogue Castle 1951 is one of the oldest and rarest known Irish whiskies, aged for 36 years in sherry casks. The whiskey is distilled three times and aged in bourbon and sherry casks, resulting in a rich and complex flavor profile. Knappogue Castle has received accolades, including a Master award at The Irish Whiskey Masters 2023 for its 14 Year Old expression. For more details, explore their Wikipedia page.

Glendalough

Glendalough Distillery is renowned as one of Ireland's leading premium craft spirits brands, having been awarded Irish Distillery of the Year at the New York International Spirits Competition in 2022. This accolade was accompanied by Double Gold awards for its Mizunara Single Malt and Double Barrel whiskeys, as well as a Gold award for its Wild Rose Irish Gin. In 2024, Glendalough's 7 YO Irish Single Malt Mizunara Finish earned a Double Gold medal with a 96/100 score at the same competition. The distillery, founded in 2011, is known for its meticulous use of high-quality oak, including Irish oak from the Wicklow mountains. Glendalough's products are crafted with a profound sense of place, reflecting the distillery's commitment to excellence.