At Gentleman Zone, we know that no whiskey selection is complete without a good old Irish whiskey to it! That’s why we have The Whisky Club, experts in Irish whiskies, to aid with tips when you aren’t sure which to try. Maybe you want to add an Irish whiskey to your collection or pick one for a friend but don’t know which is best.
Today, we bring you a selection of the best Irish whiskeys you could get on the market.
Bushmills 16-Year-Old Single Malt
First up is no other, but the delicious single malt from Bushmills!
This famous whiskey brand is matured in three different casks:
- Bushmills Bourbon Cask Finish
- Bushmills Sherry Cask
- Bushmills Port Pipes Finish
Each cask adds its specific nuance, making it a spectacular drink for anybody to enjoy.
It is best served as an after-dinner dram and a classic Irish malt. The malt has a good level of sweetness and richness but no smokiness.
Character
- Dried fruit
- Almond
- Toffee
- Dark chocolate
What You Need To Know
- 16 years old
- Port finish
- Coloring added
- 40% ABV
- Made in Ireland
Yellow Spot 12-Year-Old
Next is this sweet and slightly spicy 12-year-old from Yellow Spot. Since bottling was halted in the 1950s, Yellow Spot was re-released in 2010 and has earned its rightful spot as one of the best whiskeys in Ireland. It is layered beautifully, with twelve years of maturing in:
- Sherry butts,
- Malaga casks,
- ex-Bourbon barrels.
These combine the distinctive sweet notes that whiskey lovers associate with Yellow Spot. It is lightly spiced, allowing you to enjoy it with or without food.
Character
- Nose – Mown hay, cracked black pepper, red bell peppers, nutmeg, clove oil, and green tea. Sweet honey and peaches from the Malaga casks
- Palate – Honey sweetness with pot still spices. Fresh coffee, milk chocolate, and creme brulee. Notes of toasted oak and red apple
- Finish – Sweetness with red grape and dry barley
What You Need To Know
- 12 years old
- Red grape and barley finish
- Bright brass color
- 46% ABV
- Made in Ireland
Bushmills 2012 Burgundy Cask
That’s right, there is another sensational Bushmills on our list. The vintage 2012 is a classic, winning awards for its fragrant flavour. The whiskey was made in their Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks before maturing in Burgundy red wine casks for three and a half years before bottling!
The intense flavors complement each other, rather than overpowering, so you can enjoy a delicious whiskey and savour each note. It pairs beautifully with food, too, making it an excellent dinner-party whiskey.
Serve with a rack of lamb and herb crust, followed by some Black Forest cake to make the most of the flavors.
Character
- Nose – vanilla and tropical fruits with stewed orchard fruits, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg
- Palate – red apples, strawberry jam, and raspberries with black cherries and butterscotch
- Finish – vanilla truffle, leather, Neapolitan ice cream, rocky road, and almond
What You Need To Know
- 2012 Vintage
- Rich and juicy finish
- Dark chestnut colour
- 51.8% ABV
- Made in Ireland
Glendalough 13-Year Mizunara Finish
The Glendalough 13-year-old whiskey is a thing of beauty! It has already won Best Irish Whiskey awards, and more are in its future. It was the first whiskey matured in a rare and flavorful oak, the Japanese native Mizunara. The wood is rarely used in Japan due to its rarity and cost, so having this whiskey is undoubtedly an indulgent treat.
The whiskey is matured in ex-Bourbon casks before being transferred to various finishing casks, including Oloroso sherry casks and Blackpits porter barrels, before finishing in the rare Mizunara oak casks. It pairs wonderfully with dark chocolate and ginger biscuits, perfect for your after-dinner sweet treat.
Character
- Nose – honeycomb, citrus, vanilla, and apricot
- Palate – vanilla, fudge, peach, marmalade, rock candy, cinnamon, cloves, and coconut
- Finish – biscuity malts, oak, dark chocolate, and vanilla
What You Need To Know
- 13 years old
- Long and spicy finish
- Golden color
- 46% ABV
- Made in Ireland
The Irishman 12-Year-Old
Completing our list is the Irishman 12-year-old whiskey. The whiskey is aged in American oak ex-Bourbon casks before being triple distilled to create its rich and oaky flavor. The whiskey is one of the most sought-after, as only 6000 bottles were made! But don’t let that put you off hunting one down.
The whiskey has a full taste that starts sweet and spicy before finishing with succulent flavors that leave you wanting more. Pair it with mint chocolate for a taste sensation.
Character
- Nose – vanilla, malt, clove, and cinnamon. Balanced with apples, pears, charred wood, and freshly cut hay
- Palate – vanilla and peppery, spicy, rich summer flavors, and grassy cereal
- Finish – barley oak, dairy fudge, and dark chocolate
What You Need To Know
- 12 years old
- Treacle color
- Barley, oak, and chocolate finish
- 43% ABV
Final Thoughts
Any of these five whiskies will make a welcome addition to your collection, providing you with a unique flavor and taste experience.
