St. Patrick’s Day Round Up of Irish Whiskies and New Whiskies for 2020

let’s begin

The one day every Irish person looks forward to most is right around the corner, so we’re looking at the best whiskies to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this year, and those to keep an eye on.

The Best 2019 Irish Whiskies

We’ve brought together some of the very best in Irish whiskey, brought out in 2019. What better way to celebrate st. Patrick than with the very latest Irish whiskey?

1. Midleton Very Rare 2019 Edition

Bottle cost: £151.20

Matured in lightly charred ex-bourbon casks, this malt is a blend of Single Pot Still and Grain whiskies. It has a wonderfully warming spice to it, with hints of more floral, delicate notes throughout. There is a gentle, smooth caramel that goes perfectly with the cinnamon heat of the Bourbon casks. Yet another stellar release in the Midleton Very Rare range.

2. Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye

Bottle cost: £29.13

Ok, technically released in November 2018, but that’s close enough, and it’s so good we couldn’t not include it on the list. Made with 30% rye grains in the mashbill, this is a really intriguing Irish whiskey. The malt is very sweet, with lots of chocolate, pastries and orchard fruits throughout. The mouth feel is exceptionally smooth and there is a great oak note.

3.Red Spot

Bottle cost: £90.21

Having been absent from the Spot Whiskey line up for about 50 years, Red Spot, a 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Whiskey has been brought back to life. In 2019, Mitchell & Son decided to revitalise their Spot range by bringing back Red Spot. This is a heavilysherried malt, having been matured in Oloroso, Marsala and Bourbon casks. There are lots of fruits and spices from beginning to end.

4. Tyrconnel 16 Year Old Oloroso and Moscatel Finish

Bottle cost: £65.79

A limited edition Tyrconnel malt with an intereting combination of finishing casks, this malt is simply excellent. If you’re looking for something a bit different but with excellent flavours, then this Tyrconnel is perfect. It is delicate and floral but with lots of sweetness and spice as well.

5. Writers' Tears Cask Strength 2019 Release

Bottle cost: £88.33

Writer’s Tears is fast becoming everyone’s favourite Irish whiskey brand. This is the 9^th annual release and it really is brilliant. There are wonderful notes of malted grains, oats, honey and caramel, with a big finish on nutty, dried fruits and oak notes. Not to be missed.

Ones to look out for

Thinking beyond St. Patrick’s Day, there are still plenty of new Irish whiskies to be enjoyed.

1. jj cory

A really interesting brand that has been revitalised by the Chapel Gate whiskey bonding company, JJ Corry is definitely one to watch. They have been experimenting with interesting maturation techniques. For instance, The Battalion has been matured in Mezcal and Tequila casks and has a make up o 60% grain whiskey and 40% malt. We’re looking forward to seeing what else comes from JJ Corry.

2. Dingle Distillery

One of the smaller producers in Ireland, the Dingle Distillery is set in one of the most beautiful places in the country. And they make damn fine whiskey there too. They are a very localised producer but make incredible malt.

3. Powers

With new packaging released recently, Powers seem to be reinvigorating their brand. Could they be feeling the heat from the influx of new Irish producers in recent years?

4. Proper No. Twelve

Conor McGregor might be a fierce competitor in the ring, but there were doubts when he released his first whisky. We’re not speaking to the quality of the malt here, but the celebrity power behind the brand seems to have made them very successful. One to keep an eye on.

Tags: Irish WhiskiesRound UpSt. Patrick's Day

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.