A New Era for Irish Whiskey

When it comes to Irish whiskey, there’s really nothing wrong with that familiar green bottle, which accounts for about 75% of the U.S. market for Irish whiskey. It’s fine as a shot, serviceable mixed with ginger, and acceptable in a classic Irish coffee. But there is so very much more to the world of Irish whiskey.

Once the global capital of whiskey, Ireland had almost 90 licensed producers and provided 70% or more of the whiskey consumed worldwide around the end of the 18th century. This is the birthplace of uisce beatha, or water of life, after all. Due to socio-economic and political issues, however, that industry contracted to only three distilleries by the mid 1900s. Thankfully, they’re experiencing a renaissance today similar to that of American whiskey, and the quality of product keeps getting better. 

If you’re looking for an easy blended Irish whiskey that’s a step up from the most popular one, look no further than Molly Malone Small Batch Irish Whiskey (700ml) $34.99, an approachable classic blend of grain and malt that’s light and approachable for all your cocktail needs. From a family with roots dating back to the18th‑century and inspired by Dublin’s legendary Molly Malone, this small‑batch Irish whiskey is aged in second‑fill bourbon casks, resulting in a silky, citrus‑lifted, vanilla‑laced profile that’s also delicious neat.

The legendary house of Midleton produces some of the most desired Irish whiskeys, alongside the aforementioned most popular one. They make the color-coded Spot line: Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Red Spot, Blue Spot, and Gold Spot.

Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey $62.99 95WE A legendary pure pot still whiskey born as Mitchell & Sons’ house brand, Green Spot is crafted from 8–9‑year‑old pot‑distilled spirit—25% sherry‑aged—and released in fewer than 1,000 cases annually, making it one of Ireland’s rarest and most influential bottlings. Its sherry‑kissed, richly textured profile helped fuel the modern resurgence of traditional Irish pot still whiskey.

Green Spot "Château Montelena" Finished Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey $74.99 91WA Green Spot’s collaboration with Château Montelena brings Zinfandel cask influence to the classic pot‑distilled whiskey, creating a limited‑edition expression with richer flavors, a fuller, chewier texture, and added suppleness that will appeal to lovers of heavier Irish whiskeys.

Yellow Spot 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey $104.99 (Previously $120) 94WE The big brother to the illustrious Green Spot, the Yellow Spot is an older edition at 12 years of age, comprised of whiskies aged in bourbon, sherry, and Spanish Malaga barrels. The result is a sweeter expression with plenty of dried fruits and creaminess on the palate. A true showstopper!

Red Spot 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey $289.99 91WA The legendary Red Spot has finally returned after a 50-year gap in production. The famous Red Spot was last produced in the 1960s, but is back to revel in its former glory. The 15-year age statement, triple distilled, single pot Irish whiskey is aged in a combination of Bourbon, Olorosso, and Marsala casks.

Blue Spot 7 Year Old Cask Strength Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey $149.99 (Previously $250) 91WA The long awaited Blue Spot makes the return of the final Spot Whiskey of yesteryear. Extraordinarily limited and one of the very few cask strength offerings from the famous Midleton distillery in Cork. Just 7 years old and unadorned with the typical dessert wine casks featured on the other colored Spot whiskies. This is Irish Spot whisky in its purest form.

Gold Spot 13 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey $249.99 (Previously $280) 92WA This extraordinary expression from the fabulous Mitchell Family cellars ultilizes the classic base of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks before a unique marrying period in Valpolicella Riciotto Italian wine casks for 16 months. This final maturation enhances complex spices adding layers of dark fruits, stewed fruit and a rich textural sweetness. This special whiskey celebrates the exceptional story of seven generations of the Mitchell family, guardians of Spot Whiskey and one of Ireland’s premier wine families.

Midleton is also responsible for beautiful line of Redbreast single pot still whiskeys.

Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey $59.99 96WA 95WE Irish Whiskey of the Year 2007, The Malt Advocate. Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey delivers a lush, sherry‑kissed depth with its signature pot‑still creaminess. It’s triple‑distilled, aged in a mix of bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, and long celebrated as one of Ireland’s benchmark whiskeys.

Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey $99.99 92WA Redbreast has long been the benchmark for serious Irish whiskey fans, and the Cask Strength edition amplifies everything beloved about the original. Think: richer texture, deeper sherry influence, and the ability to take an ice cube without losing flavor. Produced in limited quantities and fueled by sky‑high demand, it’s one of the most sought‑after pure pot still whiskeys on the market today.

Redbreast 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml) $144.99 92WA 91WE Redbreast 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey showcases the category’s signature mash of malted and unmalted barley with supercharged intensity. It’s bottled at 46% ABV, non‑chillfiltered, and aged for deeper layers of berry fruit, sweet wood, and toasted spice. This is a rich, character‑driven expression of a quintessentially Irish whiskey style.

Redbreast 18 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml) $215.00 (Previously $250) Redbreast 18 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey offers a profoundly luxurious experience, using long-aging and pot‑still craft to deliver layers of ripe fruit, polished oak, warm spice, and silky richness. It’s an exceptional, deeply expressive benchmark for mature Irish whiskey.

Redbreast 21 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey $349.99 93WA 93WE Delivers a complex spectrum of honey, vanilla, tropical fruit, spice, and warm oak, with a long, creamy finish that showcases the greater influence of bourbon wood at this age. Praised by critics and awarded “Second Best Whiskey in the World” by Jim Murray in 2018, it stands as one of the most complete and exquisitely crafted Irish whiskeys available.

Redbreast "Lustau Edition" Sherry Finished Irish Whiskey (750ml) $49.99 93WA 93WE Redbreast “Lustau Edition” is a 46% ABV single pot still Irish whiskey finished in Oloroso sherry butts from the historic 120‑year‑old sherry house Lustau, yielding intensely fragrant aromas of dates, prunes, red apple, and spice with a full‑bodied, creamy palate and a clean, sweet oloroso finish. Named Whisky Advocate’s 2016 Irish Whiskey of the Year.

Redbreast Moscatel Finished Irish Whiskey (750ml) $104.99 This is classic Redbreast, plussed up with an elegant sweetness and a touch of herbaceousness. The nose opens with dry vanilla, orange spice, and a wisp of clove underneath baked, honeyed pastry. That pastry note turns right into honeycomb on the palate, bringing out lovely orchard and stone fruits, toffee, and cedar. A light touch of thyme and sage settles on the finish, all while that signature oily Redbreast texture lingers for minutes on end. This is a beautiful new expression that lets the whiskey guide the cask, avoiding the heavy-handedness often found in other sweet wine finishes.

As Ireland’s whiskey tradition continues its remarkable revival, there’s never been a better time to explore beyond the familiar and discover the depth, history, and sheer drinkability the category has to offer. Raise a glass to the past, and to all the exceptional Irish whiskeys defining its future.

- Josh Gelfand, K&L Spirits Buyer