6 wonderful Irish whiskeys for St Patrick’s Day celebrations

Saluted the world over, and landing on a Monday (March 17) this year – cue a long weekend – St Patrick’s Day celebrations rarely come in small measures, and with the holiday taking place during the final weekend of the Six Nations Rugby, it’s a great excuse to step up your Irish whiskey game.

Lovingly crafted from three simple ingredients – water, yeast and grains – with barley, wheat and corn key players in Irish whiskey – from blends, to single malts, to single pot still – and with such a diverse spectrum of styles, there’s lots to discover.

As Dawn Davies, buying director, The Whisky Exchange, puts it: “Irish whiskies can be incredibly approachable, with fruit-driven characters that make them a great place to begin a whiskey journey.”

“There are some excellent modern distilleries across the country alongside more established producers – and we’ve seen a return to the traditional single pot still style that disappeared in the Eighties, with fun twists such as unusual cask finishes.”

While Irish whiskey is great to sip neat, she says they also make excellent highballs when mixed with soda and plenty of ice.

Here’s what’s stirring the senses, and six spirited reasons to raise a glass to the land of the shamrock…

1. Jameson Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey, £25.50 (70cl), Tesco

The gem in Ireland’s library of best selling whiskies, Jameson leads the pack as the world’s best selling Irish whiskey. A great entry-level, this triple distilled blend with its trademark smooth, soft, drink-me-now style is instantly inviting with its floral aromas, sweet, spicy vanilla notes, hint of honey and gentle touch of sherry lingering on the finish.

2. Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey, £32.55, 70cl, Ocado

A single grain – predominantly corn and malted barley – this one’s aged in a combination of ex bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks for a rich, complex, decidedly delicious top drop. Fragrant, sweet, creamy butterscotch notes complement honeyed flavours of rich fruits, spice, brown sugar and raisiny pudding notes.

3. Dunville’s 1808 Blended Irish Whiskey, £36.50, The Whisky Exchange

Bringing everything to the party, this blend of grain, malt and pot still whiskey impresses with its fruity, spicy notes with vanilla oak at its core; underpinned by peppery, spicy biscuity flavours and zesty, lemony twang on the lingering finish. Cited as a modern, blended whiskey, it’s bold and beautiful.

4. McConnell’s Five Year Old Irish Whisky, £38.95, 70cl, Amazon

The McConnell’s family roots were first planted in Belfast in the late 18th century; having been mothballed for several decades, is being given a new lease of life with Ireland seeing a renaissance in whiskey production – and focus on quality and craftsmanship. A real crowd pleaser, ex-bourbon barrels shape the flavours with a vanilla, butterscotch sweetness, twist of pepper and mixed spice on the oaky finish.

5. Berry Bros & Rudd Classic Irish Single Malt, £45.75, 70cl, The Whisky Exchange

Fine wine and spirits go hand in hand at historic Berry Bros & Rudd, and this own-label Irish single malt is a superb drop. Soft and super drinkable, it’s fruit forward with tantalising aromas of custard, coupled with notes of spiced sponge cake, zingy lime, vanilla, honeyed fruits; with creamy vanilla lingering on the palate. Very approachable, enjoy with a splash of water to open up the flavours.

6. Redbreast 12-Year-Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, £57, 70cl, Waitrose

A whiskey with the wow factor, this multi award-winning amber beauty is made from malted and unmalted barley and triple distilled; matured in Oloroso sherry casks for its fabulous fruit cake character and beguiling notes of dried fruits, ginger, cinnamon, figs, nuts and creamy custard… deliciously complex and seductively smooth. Slainte!