While we celebrate the appeal of Irish whiskey all year long, there’s no denying that March is a great time to get into this popular whiskey style. Even if you missed the actual holiday, there’s nothing quite like pairing corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, and general St. Patrick’s Day revelry with a dram (or three) of great Irish whiskey. And while you can grab a bottle for $30 at your local liquor store or whiskey retailer, sometimes you want to splurge for something a little more special.
In my two decades of writing about alcohol, I’ve tried countless whiskeys from all over the world. And while I’ve found that there are myriad long-aged expensive single malt Scotch whiskies worth adding to your collection, there are also many from the Emerald Isle.
How I chose the whiskeys to invest in
For those new to the style, Irish whiskey is a geographic-specific product. As the name suggests, it can only be produced in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It’s often made with malted and unmalted barley (as well as secondary grains like corn and wheat). It must be matured for at least 3 years and is known for its soft, mellow, sweet flavor profile. It’s often triple-distilled to add to its light, easy-drinking palate.
Like any whiskey style, there are deals to be had. But there are also pricier bottles worth spending some extra cash on. If you’re in the latter category and you’d really like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all year long, there are myriad choices. Specifically, in the $ 300+ price range. These aren’t the type of whiskeys you’ll want to mix into an Irish coffee; these nuanced, long-matured expressions deserve to be sipped neat or with a splash or two of water to open up the aromas and flavors.
But what makes a great Irish whiskey and makes it worthy of a hefty price tag? It’s all about the process and the final product. It’s a combination of high-quality ingredients, a long maturation period, its rarity, and the overall complexity of the expression. itself.
The best Irish whiskeys over $300
Now that you know the appeal of investing in a more expensive bottle of Irish whiskey, it’s time to add some to your home bar to enjoy this year or save for a special occasion down the line. Below, you’ll find some of our favorites from well-known and lesser-known brands. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Teeling 24 Year Single Malt
If you’re willing to spend a little extra money, you can get your hands on an epic bottle of Teeling 24 Year Single Malt. This Irish whiskey was made from a 100% malted barley mash bill. Like many Irish whiskeys, it’s triple-distilled before being matured for 24 years in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in Sauternes white wine casks. The result is a non-chill-filtered whiskey bottled at a bold 46% ABV. Nosing reveals aromas of dried fruits, chocolate, candied orange peel, honey, and oak. The palate is centered on flavors like honey, figs, raisins, caramelized sugar, orchard fruits, and gentle baking spices. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a nice mix of dried fruits, honey, and toffee candy. Drink it neat on an unseasonably chilly evening to warm you inside and out.
$449
Redbreast 21 Year Old
You can’t go wrong with anything from Redbreast, but if you really want to go big every St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll purchase a bottle of Redbreast 21 Year Old. This single-pot Irish whiskey is made from a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley. It’s triple-distilled in copper pot stills before maturing for more than two decades in a combination of ex-bourbon American oak barrels and first-fill oloroso sherry butts. On the nose, you’ll find scents of candied orange peels, tropical fruits, candied nuts, and fresh leather. Sipping it reveals notes of toasted vanilla beans, honey, charred oak, orange zest, and just a hint of cracked black pepper. The finish is a warm mix of oak, caramel, and baking spices.
$399.99
Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood Whiskey
You might have a difficult time pronouncing the name of this whiskey, but you absolutely won’t have a hard time sipping it. This “Very Rare” expression from Midleton is made with a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley. It’s pot-still distilled and matured for 15-28 years in ex-bourbon American oak barrels before being finished for 2 years in casks made from Irish oak grown in Kylebeg Wood on the Ballykilcavan Estate in County Laois. The result is a non-chill-filtered, cask-strength expression that begins with a nose of chocolate fudge, toasted vanilla beans, toffee, cinnamon, and baking spices. The palate is centered on notes of caramel apples, candied orange peels, oaky wood, sweet honey, and gentle spices. The finish is long, fruity, and oaky, leaving you craving more.
$519.99
Glendalough 25 Year Single Malt Irish Oak Finish
If you’ve never tried anything from Glendalough, what are you waiting for? Grab one of the brand’s more wallet-friendly expressions or a bottle of its Glendalough 25 Year Single Malt Irish Oak Finish. Made from 100% malted barley, this sublime single malt whiskey was matured for 25 years in a combination of ex-bourbon American oak barrels and oloroso sherry casks, then finished in virgin Irish oak barrels. This 46% ABV non-chill-filtered expression starts strong with aromas of candied nuts, toffee, orange peels, and chocolate. The palate is a symphony of flavors, including salted caramel, candied nuts, honey, treacle, dried fruits, and oak. It all finishes with warm notes of pipe tobacco, fruit, and sticky toffee pudding.
$580.83
