Why Are Irish Whiskies So Special? 8 Things That Make Them Stand Out

1. Triple Distillation

[{"selector":"#anim-ef5fed9d-05de-42bc-9c63-25bca5826665","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e1aee5f7-058d-47dd-87e5-94c86f861a28","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 182.95018%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Many Irish whiskies are triple distilled, which leads to a smoother and lighter spirit. This extra distillation helps remove impurities and results in a more refined and approachable whisky.

2. Use of Unpeated Barley

[{"selector":"#anim-cb21d6e6-2c8c-4e06-ad96-7577d1741691","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6c2ad60e-0865-4c12-a16f-94cbbce48366","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 181.06286%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Unlike some Scotch whiskies, which may use peated barley, Irish whiskies typically use unpeated barley. This means that the whisky has a clean, pure malt flavour without the smoky notes associated with peat.

3. Pot Still Whisky

[{"selector":"#anim-b6d71928-ecbb-4a36-b6af-41f5f71f8157","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-453abe3e-5c84-4697-8128-3756e2363230","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 182.95018%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Irish whisky often includes a significant proportion of pot still whisky in their blends. This type of whisky imparts a unique, rich, and spicy character to the final product.

4. Blend of Malt and Grain Whisky

[{"selector":"#anim-163b459a-9e09-4767-bcc0-885ea335a022","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2503bb9-20d3-4e47-952c-05711bffe3e8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 294.75301%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Most Irish whiskies are blends of malt and grain whiskies, which create a well-balanced and approachable flavour profile.

5. Ageing Process

[{"selector":"#anim-a07df686-5269-4534-972d-9e8797d97e54","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ddebaa7c-7de2-418f-8139-ac47dbc22dae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 182.95018%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Irish whisky is often aged for a minimum of three years in oak casks. Some premium Irish whiskies are aged longer, which imparts more complexity and depth to the final product.

6. Barrel Choice

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7. Smooth and Approachable

[{"selector":"#anim-6f735adf-d92d-423c-9dde-3339a9ffa1a0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-53b06aff-bb53-4c57-a0d3-9a10618292d4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 182.95018%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Irish whisky is known for its smooth and mellow character. It's easy-drinking and lacks the strong smoky or peaty notes found in some Scotch whiskies, making it a favourite among those new to whisky.

8. Heritage and Tradition

[{"selector":"#anim-98d134a7-2230-4c20-8977-730b65dd15d2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-45956188-dc93-45f4-98e7-e55b144a75c3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 154.90679%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Irish whisky has a long history dating back centuries, and many distilleries uphold traditional production methods and techniques. This commitment to heritage contributes to the unique character of Irish whiskies.

[{"selector":"#anim-db214f6c-ec79-49d0-a405-2d67aadd67ad","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1cd7d57-8d95-4986-8371-e447c9b4dbec","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 498.47475%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash There's definitely an Irish whisky out there that suits your taste!