I love a glass of Jameson’s, but if you’ve been drinking the same whiskey for years, then perhaps it’s time for an upgrade?
The list below sticks with Irish whiskeys that are all created in a similar fashion, maybe with one exception. They should all be easy-going, sweeter styles of whiskey that won’t go crazy with spice or smoke.
Jameson’s Black Barrel, 40%, $37
Jameson’s Black Barrel is an Irish whiskey that stands out for its rich, smooth character, thanks to the use of double-charred bourbon barrels in maturation. On the nose, you’ll find warm aromas of toffee, vanilla, and toasted oak, while the palate delivers notes of caramel, nutmeg, and a hint of dark chocolate.
The Midleton Distillery in Cork, where Jameson is produced, has been crafting whiskey since 1825 and is one of the most famous Irish distilleries globally.
Fun fact: the “Black Barrel” expression is so named because the barrels undergo a second charring, which intensifies the flavor and deepens the color, giving it a more indulgent richness compared to standard Jameson.
Teeling Small Batch Blended Whiskey, 40%, $30
Teeling Small Batch is a modern twist on traditional Irish whiskey, finished in rum casks to add an extra layer of complexity. It features aromas of tropical fruits, vanilla, and toasted wood, with a palate that’s sweet and slightly spiced, with hints of coffee, dark chocolate, and exotic fruits.
Produced by the Teeling Distillery in Dublin, which reopened in 2015, it’s a relatively new player in a historic city known for whiskey.
Fun fact: Teeling is one of the few Irish distilleries that actively experiments with cask finishes, and the Small Batch is part of their innovative series aimed at exploring bold flavor combinations.
Writer’s Tears Irish Whiskey, 40%, $45
Truly excellent newer style of Irish whiskey that combines Irish single malt and Irish single pot still whiskeys. Put together at The Walsh Distillery, it is a tasty example of classic Irish whiskey: fruity, green apples, fresh lemon zest, malty biscuits, and a little pepper spice at the end of it. Well-balanced and put together.
Fun fact: The name ‘Writer’s Tears’ is not only a reference to the legendary Irish writers who dominated the world of poetry and literature at one point. But the style of whiskey is also meant to represent the style that would have been around in that pre-1920s period, when it was known as the champagne of whiskey.
Power’s Irish Rye Whiskey, 43.2%, $30
Power’s Irish Rye Whiskey brings a spicy, robust character thanks to its rye-forward mash bill, uncommon for Irish whiskey. On the nose, you’ll detect dried fruit, cinnamon, and a light graininess, while the palate offers bold rye spice, pepper, and notes of vanilla and toasted oak.
Distilled at the Midleton Distillery, it revives a historic style. Irish rye whiskey was once
much more common in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Fun fact: the “43.2%” ABV is a nod to tradition and gives the whiskey a slightly punchier character than typical 40% expressions, making it excellent for sipping or cocktails.
Two Stacks Apple Brandy Cask Finish, 50%, $47
Two Stacks Apple Brandy Cask is a rich and fruity single malt finished in ex-apple brandy casks, giving it a distinctly aromatic and vibrant profile. Expect sweet, crisp apple notes on the nose, alongside vanilla, caramel, and subtle oak, with a palate featuring baked apples, honey, cinnamon, and a warming spice finish.
Produced in small batches in Ireland, Two Stacks focuses on creative cask finishes, giving a fresh twist to traditional Irish whiskey.
Fun fact: this whiskey showcases the growing trend of experimental cask aging in Ireland, where distillers are increasingly using fruit brandy and wine casks to create bold, unexpected flavors.
Read the full article at 5 Irish Whiskeys to Try If You Only Drink Jameson
