St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. That means that the time is right to begin stocking up on Irish beers (specifically Guinness Stout) and, of course, Irish whiskey. But if you think you have to spend the equivalent of a month’s rent to stock your bar cart with a few bottles of well-balanced, flavorful whiskey, you’re wrong.
In writing about alcohol, I’ve found you can spend a lot on a long-aged, nuanced bottle, but you don’t have to. Many sippable, multi-layered Irish whiskeys are available for under $50.
What is an Irish whiskey?
Before we cover the best inexpensive whiskeys, a quick background is helpful. First, it’s spelled ‘whiskey’ with an ‘e’. Only Ireland, the US, and Mexico use this spelling (even Canada omits the ‘e’).
For those uninitiated, Irish whiskey is exactly as the name suggests. This effortlessly mellow, easy-drinking style can only be made in Ireland (this includes Northern Ireland).
It’s made from a mash bill of malted barley, with secondary grains including unmalted barley, wheat, corn, and others. It’s often triple-distilled using pot stills and must be matured in wooden casks for at least three years. The result is a softer whiskey known for its fruity, honeyed, caramel, candied nut, and vanilla-centric palate.
The best Irish whiskeys under $50
Now that you know the basics of Irish whiskey, it’s time to discover some affordable, flavorful bottles for your home bar this St. Patrick’s Day—or any day. Below are our top picks under $50. Keep reading to see them all.
Kilbeggan Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
You can’t go wrong with any of the whiskeys in Kilbeggan’s portfolio. But, if you’re looking for value, look no further than Kilbeggan Single Pot Still. It’s made with a mash bill of malted barley, unmalted barley, and 2.5% oats. It’s double-distilled and matured in ex-bourbon barrels. It carries no age statement, but it is believed to mature between 3 and 5 years. The result is a multi-layered expression that begins with a nose of orchard fruits, toasted vanilla beans, candied orange peels, and wintry spices. Sipping it reveals hints of clover honey, dried fruits, candied nuts, cinnamon candy, toffee, and oak. The finish is lingering and warm, ending with a mix of sweetness and spice.
$35.99
Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey
Every home bar should have a bottle of Powers Gold Label on hand come March. This rainy-day sipper and everyday mixer is made with a blend of pot-still and grain whiskeys (featuring malted barley, unmalted barley, and corn). It’s triple-distilled and matured in American oak barrels. It’s always inexpensive, yet still balanced and flavorful. Nosing it before you first sip will bring you scents of caramel apples, cinnamon sticks, cracked black pepper, and oaky wood. The palate is centered on notes of toasted vanilla beans, pears, baking spices, and charred wood. The finish is long, lingering, and ends with a balance of honeyed sweetness and baking spice.
$31.99
Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend Irish Whiskey
If you haven’t tried anything from Two Stacks yet, start with The First Cut Signature Blend. This complex blended Irish whiskey is a marriage of 43% ABV Irish whiskey, 40% virgin oak grain, 40% ex-bourbon grain, 8% Oloroso sherry pot still, 10% double-distilled bourbon malt, and 2% peated bourbon malt. This non-chill-filtered expression begins with a nose of candied orange peels, sweet honey, toasted vanilla beans, dried fruits, and oaky wood. Drinking it brings notes of raisins, sticky toffee pudding, vanilla beans, oak, and baking spices. The finish is soft, warm, and sweet, leaving you craving more.
$34.99
Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Teeling is another Irish whiskey distillery that seems to produce nothing but notable expressions. One of our favorites is Teeling Single Grain. Made with a mash bill featuring 95% corn and 5% malted barley, it’s triple distilled and matured in French oak ex-Cabernet Sauvignon red wine casks. This non-chill-filtered whiskey opens with notes of butterscotch candy, toasted vanilla beans, cocoa, honey, and orchard fruits. The palate is centered on notes of cinnamon candy, charred oak, vanilla beans, caramelized sugar, and wine tannins. The finish is dry, warm, and ends with a gentle mix of wine tannins, oak, and spice.
$45.99
Bushmills Black Book Irish Whiskey
Bushmills is another name that’s synonymous with Irish whiskey lore. The brand has a glut of memorable whiskeys, but if you’re looking for a balanced expression under $50, grab a bottle of Bushmills Black Book. Made with a blend of 80% single malt and 20% grain whiskey, it’s matured in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks. This results in a complex, memorable whiskey that opens with aromas of dried cherries, sweet sherry, candied nuts, sticky toffee pudding, and charred oak. Sipping it reveals a symphony of flavors, including whiskey-soaked raisins, chocolate, caramelized sugar, and baking spices. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a mix of oak, sweet sherry, and caramel.
$30.99
