Irish Whiskey Guide: Bushmills, Redbreast and How Irish Whiskey Is Made

What is Irish whiskey?

Irish whiskey is a grain spirit made on the island of Ireland, distilled and matured in wooden casks for at least three years. It is typically smooth, fruity and approachable, with less smoke than many Scotches.

The category has grown rapidly worldwide and is a good starting point for people new to whiskey.

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How is Irish whiskey made?

Irish whiskey can be made from malted barley, unmalted barley and other cereals. Many distilleries triple distil their whiskey, which is common but not required, and the spirit is then matured in oak casks, often ex-bourbon and ex-sherry.

Triple distillation tends to produce a lighter, smoother new-make spirit, which is one reason Irish whiskey is often described as easy to drink.

What are the main styles of Irish whiskey?

Single malt is made from malted barley at a single distillery. Single pot still is a distinctively Irish style made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley in pot stills, with a rich, creamy, spicy character.

Single grain is made from grains other than malted barley and is lighter, and blended whiskey combines styles for a smooth, balanced result. Most of the big-selling Irish whiskeys are blends.

What is Bushmills known for?

Bushmills is a distillery in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, that holds a licence dating back to 1608 and is one of the best-known names in Irish whiskey. Its single malts are triple distilled and matured in a mix of casks, producing a smooth, fruity and honeyed whiskey.

Bottlings range from a classic ten year old to older sherry-influenced expressions. Browse the range in our Irish whiskey collection.

What is Redbreast known for?

Redbreast is a single pot still Irish whiskey from the Midleton distillery in County Cork, widely admired for its rich, spicy, fruity character with notes of dried fruit and toasted oak. It is often matured in sherry casks.

It is a good example of the pot still style that sets Irish whiskey apart, and it is popular with drinkers who enjoy fuller, sherried whiskies.

How is Irish whiskey different from Scotch?

Scotch is made in Scotland and is often made with peated malt, which gives smoke, though many Scotches are unpeated. Irish whiskey is usually unpeated, lighter and smoother, and the pot still style is unique to Ireland. Read our Scotch whisky guide for comparison.

The spelling also differs: Irish and American makers write whiskey, while Scottish, Japanese, Canadian and Australian makers write whisky.

How is Irish whiskey different from bourbon?

Bourbon is American whiskey made from at least 51 percent corn and aged in new charred oak, which gives vanilla and caramel sweetness. Irish whiskey uses barley and other grains, and is often aged in used casks, giving a softer, fruitier profile.

Both are good in cocktails. See our bourbon collection for comparison.

How do you drink Irish whiskey?

Enjoy Irish whiskey neat, over ice, with a splash of water, in a highball with soda or ginger ale, or in an Irish coffee. Its smooth style makes it forgiving for newcomers.

Sip a pot still or an older single malt neat to appreciate the layers of fruit, spice and oak.

How do you choose an Irish whiskey?

Decide whether you want a smooth blend for mixing, a single malt for sipping or a single pot still for richer flavours. Check the age statement, the cask type and the ABV.

We deliver insured across Australia, and an adult (18+) must sign for every delivery.

How do you buy online from Doctors of Whisky?

Doctors of Whisky is a Sydney-based online bottle shop. Browse the collection, add bottles to your cart and choose PayID, bank transfer, Bitcoin or USDT at checkout; paying with Bitcoin or USDT takes 12% off.

The minimum order is $300 AUD. Orders of $1,500 AUD or more ship free by express courier, and a flat $75 AUD fee applies below that. Delivery is insured, and an adult (18+) must sign for every parcel.

How can you drink responsibly in Australia?

The Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol recommend no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol, and the label on every bottle shows the number of standard drinks.

Pace yourself, eat before and while you drink, alternate with water, and never drive after drinking. You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol.