Irish whiskey, once favoured by the Court of Elizabeth I, is enjoying a revival. Here are our top 5.
Redbreast 21-year-old Single Pot Still
Known as ‘the Priest’s Bottle’ in the 1920s because it was so popular with the clergy, it was described in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015 as ‘a World Whisky of the Year just waiting to happen’.
Powers John’s Lane Release, 12-year-old
Powers is always a safe bet and this smooth traditional Single Pot Still celebrates the original distillate style of the old distillery in John’s Lane, Dublin. In 1920, an Act of Parliament was required to allow Powers to launch the Baby Power, a 71ml bottle that was the first of its kind.
Tullamore D. E. W. Original
It’s won 22 gold medals in the past 10 years with good reason. Daniel E. Williams, from whose initials the whiskey’s name is derived, brought electricity to Tullamore. In 1893, his distillery introduced telephones and motor cars.
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve
A double gold winner at the 2011 World Spirits Competition and has twice been named Irish Whiskey of the Year by Malt Advocate magazine. Jameson labels bear the words ‘Sine Metu’, the family motto of John Jameson. It means ‘without fear’.
Bushmills 10-year-old Single Malt
The winner of Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey in the 2007 World Whiskies Awards. During the Second World War, Allied troops were billeted at the Bushmills distillery, halting production. In Dublin, a bomb hit the head office, destroying the archives.
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