The Irish Young Guns

Spry, bold, and thirsty for fame, these fresh upstarts aren’t the typical Eire old guard. They’ve got their own method for making things happen and the top dogs are taking notice.

Now, we’re not saying they "paint houses" or nothin’, but these whiskey wildcards aren’t afraid of trying new things to get the attention they deserve, all while honouring Irish tradition.

History hasn’t been exactly kind to Irish whiskey. After a blindingly bright peak in the late 18th century, Irish whiskey pulled an Icarus and plummeted to its near death in the 20th century, with only two distilleries holding down the fort for almost a century. But that’s all changing. A new crop of distilleries is taking up the torch and lighting the path beyond the island of Eire with great Irish whiskey.

First up, The Whistler P.X. I Love You Single Malt, a charmer straight out of Boann Distillery. Aged in bourbon barrels and lovingly finished in rich Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks for nine months, this 100% Irish Single Malt is a sweet, smooth operator with layers of caramel, dried fruits, and just a whisper of spice.

Next, the meticulously crafted Fercullen 10 Year Old Single Grain, hailing from the Powerscourt Estate distillery. Matured for a decade in white oak before a rendezvous with fresh bourbon barrels, it’s light-bodied, perfectly balanced, and subtly sweet with a punch of vanilla and honey.

And finally, the powerhouse The Irishman The Harvest, a masterful blend of 70% Single Malt and 30% Single Pot Still spirits, matured in ex-bourbon casks. From the creative genius of Bernard Walsh, this multi-award-winning whiskey is complex and inviting, with a gentle spice kick from un-malted barley that sets it apart from the crowd.

You don’t have to be a mob boss to know that when it comes to good talent, it’s best to bring ‘em into the fold. Time to raise your glass and make a toast to the next generation.

Slainte!

Smartass Corner

1. About 250 years ago, Irish Whiskey was the most popular spirit in the world, boasting 1,228 registered distilleries in Ireland. But several bad historic turns — like the introduction of the Coffey still and U.S. Prohibition — devastated the industry, slashing the number of operational distilleries to just two by the 1980s.

2. Today, the number of whiskey distilleries operating in Ireland has increased to 31, which is the highest number of operational Irish distilleries on record since 1900.

3. There are three general Irish Whiskey varieties: ‘grain Whiskey’, primarily derived from corn, ‘malted barley Pot-Still-Distilled’, and ‘Pure Pot Still’ (or ‘Single Pot Still’ as it’s now officially known) — a combination of malted, unmalted ‘green’ barley distilled in copper pot stills.

4. Boann Distillery, named after the Irish goddess of the River Boyne, began distilling in 2019 and is the first operational distillery in Drogheda since 1968.

5. The infamous Irish coffee got its start at the Foynes airport back in the 1940s, when a chef by the name of Joe Sheridan would spike visitors’ coffee with a generous pour of Irish whiskey. Travel writer Stanton Delaplane was so smitten with the drink, that he took it back to the Buena Vista bar in the U.S., who eventually hired Sheridan to make it for their customers.

6. The Buena Vista Café in San Francisco has served over 30 million cups of Irish coffee. Here’s the recipe: heat together four parts of coffee and one tablespoon of brown sugar in a pre-heated, clear-stemmed glass. Then, when the sugar dissolves, add two parts of quality Irish Whiskey, stir, and then wait for the brew to still. Over the backside of a hot teaspoon, pour the lightly whipped fresh cream (neither stiff nor runny), capping the mix below.

7. Powerscourt Distillery is nestled in the historic Powerscourt Estate, a site dating back to the 1730s, and brought whiskey production back to Wicklow after 100 years.

8. The Powerscourt Estate is not just home to whiskey—it also boasts a 5-star luxury hotel, world-class golf course, and the iconic Powerscourt Gardens.

9. The Irishman Whiskey is part of Walsh Whiskey - a distillery that prides itself in maintaining traditional distilling methods. It's like a time machine, transporting you back to the golden age of Irish whiskey!