St. Patrick’s day may be nigh, but Americans have been enjoying Irish whiskey on plenty of days that aren’t March 17. According to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, a London-based research firm that tracks global alcohol data, Irish whiskey volumes grew at a rate of 8.6 percent from 2018 to 2019 in the U.S. market.
That boost in stateside consumption comes hand-in-hand with the comeback of Irish whiskey in Ireland. In 2010, Ireland had just four whiskey distilleries. Today more than 30 exist, including newcomers like Glendalough, Teeling, and Slane.
So in that spirit, we’ve rounded up seven new (or recent enough) Irish whiskeys to pour into your glass on St. Patrick’s Day—or any day.
Teeling Single Pot Still
Teeling Single Pot Still, which was released in January 2020, is the first whiskey to be distilled entirely in Dublin in nearly a half-century. The triple-distilled whiskey is made from a mash bill of 50% malted barley and 50% unmalted barley, and aged in American virgin oak, bourbon, and sherry casks prior to blending and bottling. Its fruity, floral nose features white grapes, honey, and grapefruit, and its palate starts creamy and soft with bright kiwi, grapefruit, and oatmeal. From there, things move into a bold rush of spice accompanied by bread pudding and toffee until a dry, tannic finish that’s chock-full of oaky spice. 46% ABV / $64.99
J.J. McConnell’s
J. & J. McConnell’s Irish Whisky
Launched by the Belfast Distillery company in February 2020, J. & J. McConnell’s takes its name from an earlier existing Belfast distillery established by brothers John and James McConnell in 1776. The revival is a blended whiskey aged for five years in ex-bourbon casks. The whiskey features a soft palate marked by sweet vanilla, marzipan, nutmeg, and candied citrus. 42% ABV / $32.99
Knappogue Castle
Knappogue Castle Marchesi di Barolo Cask Finish
Debuted in September 2019, the limited-release Knappogue Castle Marchesi di Barolo Cask Finish is part of the brand’s Cask Finish Series. It sees a pot-still, 100% malted barley whiskey that has already been aged 12 years in ex-bourbon casks undergo additional aging in Barolo casks sourced from the Marchesi di Barolo winery. Its nose proves heavy on strawberries, and its hot, astringent palate presents cinnamon buns with vanilla cream cheese, butter, raspberry jam, and espresso beans. The light body and hot finish contrast flickers of spice with buttery cream cheese frosting. 46% ABV / $80
Glendalough
Glendalough Pot Still
One of three new Glendalough releases to hit the U.S. in 2020, Glendalough Pot Still was aged for three years in ex-bourbon casks before spending an additional year in virgin Irish oak casks made from trees harvested in the mountains surrounding the Wicklow distillery. It has a malty, bready nose and flavors of sweet cream, dried apricots, vanilla, and figs on the palate, with a soft, lightly spiced, and pleasantly lingering oak finish. 43% ABV / $54.99
Peaky Blinder
Peaky Blinder Blended Irish Whiskey
No, this whiskey doesn’t appear to have any connection with the Cillian Murphy-helmed TV series. Rather, it’s named in honor of the historical Peaky Blinders, the actual turn-of-the-century gang that operated in Birmingham and a portion of the English West Midlands called “The Black Country.” That’s where Sadler’s Brewing Co.—the seller of this sourced whiskey—happens to be located.
Peaky Blinder is a triple-distilled blended Irish whiskey aged in ex-bourbon casks, and features sharp notes of blackcurrant, apples, and bread on the nose. Those blackcurrant and stone fruit notes are particularly evident on the palate, where they’re joined by toffee, bread pudding, and dark caramel before being hit by a surge of woody spice that gives way to a tingly, lightly spiced finish. 40% ABV / $18.99
Egan’s
Egan’s Vintage Grain
Egan’s Vintage Grain is a triple-distilled single grain whiskey aged in ex-bourbon casks. Its sharp nose hints at vanilla and caramel, and its deep presence on the palate packs in nutty malt with sweet caramel and vanilla notes amid big, bold licks of spice that are likely to please any bourbon lover. 46% ABV / $40
Slane
Slane Irish Whiskey
Slane is not a new release—it came stateside in the summer of 2017—but it’s become one of the more prominent examples among the new class of Irish whiskeys. The “triple casked” whiskey is matured in virgin oak, seasoned oak, and sherry casks, and is blended together prior to bottling. It features butterscotch, vanilla, and oak on the nose, and its light and pleasantly sweet palate contains cream soda, caramel, and butterscotch with a finish of dark raisins and astringent stone fruits. 40% ABV / $29.99
