The Best Irish Whiskeys for Beginners: A Guide To Irish Whiskey

The Emerald Isle was once the center of the whiskey world, but a series of unlucky turns left it a shadow of it's former self. Now Irish whiskey is coming back in a big way, and here's a few you'll want to try if you're new to the category!
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[@briggslipsitz9342]

This dude knows his stuff. The 2Gingers recommendation is perfect and something a whiskey snob would not talk about.

[@staguar]

Irish whiskey is the first whiskey I ever had and still my favorite type

[@mushroomlasers7470]

Tiger Thiccc was around at the turn of the 17th century.

[@rhyshilton71]

Man you've really got me wanting to venture out of my comfort zone and try a bunch of stuff I had once written off entirely. Thank you!

[@TheRotgutReview]

That's awesome! That's definitely the goal here!

[@stevejohnson5037]

Loving this series, can't wait to try a few!

[@inojushitzu]

I was waiting on this one. Strangely enough Redbreast is the only on I've tried, but damn is it good. I just sat and sniffed the glass for a while. Once again, great video Mr. Edd.

[@reed3802]

Excited to see where proper 12 ranks in this video.

[@niallflattery7910]

Brilliant Gaeilge bapa!! Powers triple distilled is my go to. Glendalough double barrel is nice too.

[@steveh.3370]

Power Gold at 43.2% can’t be beat for the price. 70% pot still & 30% grain.

[@Retro_Raptor]

Been waiting for this one. Never really tried the Irish stuff but now I know where to start. Keep up the great content man.

[@ThisIsNotACigar]

Green Spot was the one that won me over for the Irish stuff early on. I called it the "great seducer" then and still think it lives up to this name for people who are not into whisky yet. Loved the historical part of the video btw. Cheers!

[@TheRotgutReview]

I'm glad you enjoyed that bit! I was worried it got a little long winded. Green Spot is just so fantastic, I like that term for it, The Great Seducer.

[@GrantMcWilliams]

Have you tried Red or Blue? I like both but Blue shocked the hell out of me. How can a 7 year whiskey be so good? I keep a Red Spot and a Green Spot around all the time. The Blue Spot is hard to find.

[@ThisIsNotACigar]

I would love to, but haven't had the chance yet. Ionly see these at auctions fpr money I'm not prepared to pay.@@GrantMcWilliams

[@mushroomlasers7470]

When is he going to talk about TigerThiccc? I’m confused. Water weed dune hair?

[@dennis85573]

You can't go wrong with Irish whiskeys

[@jonorowe]

I did not know so much of this, great video dude!

[@distlledbrewedreviewed]

I just reviewed some Scotch, tomorrow I will review some Irish whiskey. Great video my friend.

[@calebweintraub1]

Nice work in this. Informative. A few years ago I’d never tried an Irish… bought a Midleton very rare as a major gift for a family member who deserved -well- a major gift… had a sip of that and was like’ wait what? - I like this’…. Wasn’t gonna ever spend that kind of money again, so just went on with what I’m used to … bourbons and mostly peated scotches. Couple of years later I received green spot as a gift… was the first Irish I really had a chance to sit with. I prefer high proof stuff but I did enjoy the green spot anyway. Have since gone through a couple of bottles of red breast cask strength. Have never seen a blue spot in my area though. Would be interested in seeing a video of your overall standouts in the Irish category. Standouts for whatever reason - -good, bad, weird, unexpected.

[@stevelocke2240]

Great introduction. I’m just getting into Irish Whiskey. Thank you. 🇺🇸

[@meesternibbles]

I can't recommend slane enough as a budget whiskey. It's highly underrated.

[@paddygallagher5006]

Just found this video. Very enjoyable, thank you very much.

[@distlledbrewedreviewed]

Great info my friend.

[@davidgeschke4247]

Great video Ed!

[@TheRotgutReview]

Glad you thought so!

[@fire302]

Not overly complex but really liked Sexton Single Malt. I also tried Slane but it gave me a headache.

[@donaldrance]

Cool video. I'd probably add the basic Tyrconnell to the mix as well since Cooley is such a large part of modern Irish whisky DNA.

[@TheRotgutReview]

I knew you'd have a good one I hadn't thought of! Thanks dude!

[@BourbonandaBaby]

Excellent content Edd!!!

[@TheRotgutReview]

Thanks Jay! Or is it Max? He's probably sold enough to work a keyboard now, hey?

[@BourbonandaBaby]

@@TheRotgutReview almost! He just got his own tablet for Christmas and he already has it figured out much more than I have!

[@grouchypseudopod354]

I want more of Edd leaning into the camera telling multi national corporations that he hates them.

[@TheRotgutReview]

Hahaha, I can do that.

[@WhiskyJason1]

well done Edd!!!

[@TheRotgutReview]

Thank you my dude!

[@stefanscholz1475]

well done

[@mushroomlasers7470]

Can you talk about distribution? And give tigerthiccc whisky as an example?

[@highlight_anon8907]

Breaks over b, back to the fryers

[@gerardmccourt5479]

I'd recommend yellow spot 💛 over green spot 💚

[@steveh.3370]

Well yeah, the Yellow is almost twice the price.

[@gerardmccourt5479]

@Steve H. no its not its roughly 40 % more , I thought it was about taste and not price , I'd prefer yellow over red spot red is about 50% mire expensive

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

😊thanks😊

[@JohnSmith-vt5ry]

I need your help. I am new to whiskey and love your channel. I do like bourbon and have figured that out. However I just don’t like Scotch and I think it’s the malted barley flavor but not certain. I just tried Kilbrin Irish from Total wines and love the mild grain notes and fresh crisp fruit but the fruit is weak. Can you try this whiskey and then tell me one that is similar on the grain and ABV but has more fruit or sweet flavor?

[@williamarmstrong7181]

I saw a comment about "jagoffs." Is there a Pittsburgh connection here? Great stuff, btw.

[@nathanclark3575]

Glendalough is a solid beginner irish imo. its like $30-35, stupid smooth and easy. Uncanny in certain ways and oh so familiar in others. Also they're kinda the OG craft Irish distillery.

[@TheRotgutReview]

That was another that I was planning to include but got trimmed, totally agree.

[@robertwestling1709]

So funny “ No F- you “ love the Irish ☘️

[@MollyMahone]

Roe & Coe - beautiful and easy, especially after tasting more complex whiskeys, when you just want to sip without thinking too hard about it.

[@TheRotgutReview]

I haven't tried it but now I'll have to!

[@lars2894]

I love Irish Whiskeys but they're so expensive compared to Bourbon :-( The cheapest I'd go for sipping is Powers Gold ($45), which btw is on the low shelf on a shelf full of imported whiskeys. For blended cereal grains under $30 I much prefer a bottom shelf Scotch to Irish.

[@GrantMcWilliams]

08:29 you have this so screwed up I don't even know where to begin. :-) Most people just get the percentages wrong. Also something to keep an eye on if you're a stickler for these things is the Irish Whiskey Association has proposed a change to the regulations to Irish Pot Still as of last year which would change the requirements to min 30% Malted barley, min 30% unmalted barley and up to 30% other grains. Currently the other grain category is set to 5% and that exists because the malted barley provides the amylase enzymes for fermentation but if the unmalted barley percentage is very high there aren't enough enzymes for triple distillation. Adding oats helps. As for Red Breast 12, it's my favorite. I just did a couple week long tour around Ireland visiting distilleries and so much of the new stuff is really young and really weak. I started doubting my love for Irish Whiskey and then I went to the Whiskey Museum in Dublin and tried about 30 more expressions and realized that Middleton (in my opinion) is the one kicking out fantastic whiskey. This means, Redbreast, The Spots, Method and Madness, Powers etc... Knappogue Castle 16 is very nice too. They're an odd one though as they're owned by Irish Distillers now (Middleton) but they're still sourcing distillate from other places including Cooley. A couple of years ago we went to the Middleton Distillery and tasted our way through the Spots and Redbreasts and settled on Redbreast, Red Spot and Green Spot. I keep all three in my Whiskey Vault.

[@conorfowler]

Maith thú ar do chuid Gaeilge! I can assure you it's certainly not terrible. Thanks for the content!

[@TheRotgutReview]

Go raigh maith agat, ach níl sé go hiontach. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@scottnickerson7876]

You speak Gaelic?! That's freaking cool.

[@TheRotgutReview]

Poorly, I assure you.

[@philc1884]

Very rice condensed breakdown of the history, styles and recs. I have an upcoming pot still/single malt tasting and planned on the Power's 3 Swallow which I have and love. Want to get a green spot and a Knappogue. - Is the 14yr worth the $10-15 more than the 12? Need a couple more in the $40-60 range. Any other peated besides the Blackpitts? - A bit pricey by me ($80). Thanks Rot!

[@TheRotgutReview]

I think the 12 yr Knappogue is excellent, so you can't go wrong there. The extra two years for the 14 doesn't make a massive difference but the 14 is aged partially in sherry barrels, which I'm a big fan of. If you like the heartier sherry style I'd go for the 14. As for peated, there's the classic Connemara which is a bit of a peat/sweet combo. There's also a cask strength version of Connemara but I wouldn't buy that unless you are really into burning diesel and hot plastic, there are some folks who are. I know you are trying to keep to the malts/pot still but if you are willing to go blended there's Dark Silkie from Sliabh Liag, it's definitely lighter on the smoke but pretty well balanced. Hope the tasting is awesome!

[@TheRotgutReview]

And there's actually a blended malt Silkie now, too. I haven't gotten to try it but it's supposedly smokier than the Dark, but I can't confirm that.

[@philc1884]

@@TheRotgutReview Thanks, good to know on the 12yr Knap. The 14 sounds great too. I'll have to see what I'm spending on the others. Yes, the Connemara is available here in NY at around $55 so I'll look to grab one. I've also decided to include a blend since there seems to be many good ones. I've never seen or heard of Silkie and none of the many stores I shop in have their line. What's another blend you like? Cheers, and thanks again!

[@TheRotgutReview]

@@philc1884 I dig Writer's Tears and The Quiet Man, both of those are pretty solid blends. They aren't anything wild, just very enjoyable.

[@philc1884]

@@TheRotgutReview Thank you, I've seen positives reviews on Writer's! Though I'm trying for over 80pr if possible. Any thoughts on these, I thought interesting styles/aging - Two Stacks reg or cask, Ha'Penny, Prizefight, The Irishman? Cheers, and thanks again!

[@Thetireguy452]

Lopez

[@mushroomlasers7470]

Single malt of fighter and the kid vs grain whisky.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

Ed more like take me to the shed out back

[@TheRotgutReview]

You're an odd fella, and I like that.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

@@TheRotgutReview says the guy whos comments are mostly people saying "whiggskey bapa"

[@Dezroy]

Lemme guess, Proper 12 isn’t on this list?

[@befuddled2010]

😂🤣

[@mushroomlasers7470]

When are you going to review Logan Paul’s Prime energy drink.

[@TheRotgutReview]

Is it alcoholic?

[@mushroomlasers7470]

You look more Welsh.

[@TheRotgutReview]

Like my Great Aunt said, I'm not even that Irish.