The Whiskey Rebels of Ireland

Ireland has never been one to back down from a challenge, and its whiskey is no exception. The Emerald Isle’s whiskey rebellion started centuries ago when in 1785 AD, King George III imposed a tax on malted barley. The resilient Irish responded by adding unmalted barley to their concoction, distilling it in a single pot still within a single distillery. This process imparted a spicier and richer character to the golden elixir, propelling it to become a beloved whiskey worldwide.

The rebellion continues today with bold, trailblazing creations like the ones in this box. 

Irish whiskey gets a little dramatic with The Whistler The Good, The Bad and The Smoky. This blend of peated heat and smooth single malts is anything but tame. After ageing in ex-bourbon barrels, it spends 10 rebellious months maturing in peated quarter casks, channelling campfire smoke, bourbon sweetness, and herbal spice into every drop.
If you’ve never heard of a Rocket Still, West Cork 5Y Pot Still Irish Whiskey shows what it can do. Made in the world’s fastest pot still and with a mash of 66% malted and 33% unmalted barley, it’s ultra-clean and smooth. Aged five years in first-fill ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 43% ABV, it’s innovation in a glass.

Copeland Merchant’s Quay 5 Year Old Single Grain Irish Whiskey blends five-year-old grain whiskeys with unique finishes. Aged in American bourbon casks for vanilla, Pedro Ximénez butts for richness, and Moscatel barrique casks for floral notes, it’s light, complex, and full of layered flavour.

Fercullen Falls Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a true renegade that reinvents the single pot still game. This 50/50 blend of malt and grain whiskeys is aged in a mix of first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and new heavy char oak casks. The result? A luxuriously creamy, sweet profile with a whisper of charred richness.

Clan Colla 7 Year Old Single Grain Irish Whiskey honours Ireland’s legendary High Kings while making its own mark. Aged seven years in ex-bourbon casks and finished in Panamanian rum casks, it balances nostalgia with bold new flavours.

These exceptional blends break the rules and rewrite them, proving that Irish whiskey is as daring and innovative as the spirit of Ireland itself. 

Smartass Corner

1. Single Pot Still whiskey is exclusively made in Ireland and is similar to Single Malt, with the big difference being the use of malted and unmalted barley. This mixed mash bill makes the spirit spicier - what many call a "pot still character".

2. The percentage of unmalted barley differs between brands, but it's an important decision, as it affects the final product. Whiskey makers sometimes even add other raw unmalted grains such as oats and wheat.

3. The rules of what makes an "Irish Pot Still Whiskey" are: it has to come from Ireland; it has to be aged for at least three years; the minimum amount of each sort of barley has to be at least 30%; and it has to be made in a pot still. 

4. Poitin is a much lesser-known Irish whiskey cousin. Thought of as one of the first spirits ever made, this clear drink is distilled from the good ol’ potato—making Poitin (or Poteen) essentially an Irish vodka.

5. From Gleeson to Boann Distillery, Patrick Cooney leads a family-run empire crafting ciders, beers, liqueurs, and award-winning The Whistler Irish Whiskies.

6. West Cork Whiskey takes their quality seriously. They use Gas Chromatography to break down and identify compounds in the whiskey, ensuring every batch has consistent alcohol quality—way beyond the usual taste testing. They’ve also cleverly adapted Reverse Osmosis, a technique usually for purifying water, to intensify the flavours of their stout and IPA before those casks even meet the whiskey.

7. Overlooking the Irish Sea, Copeland Distillery crafts spirits inspired by smugglers and sea battles. The nearby Copeland Islands, once a hub for smuggled whiskey and rum, keep their maritime roots alive in every bold sip!

8. Nestled in the lush Powerscourt Estate, the Powerscourt Distillery combines Irish whiskey charm with Scottish engineering, courtesy of Forsyths. Their 3-pot stills churn out enough spirits for over 3 million bottles every year!

9. Ahascragh Distillery is Ireland's first state-of-the-art Eco-Distillery and it’s all about sustainability. They’ve taken things to the next level by running their production with zero energy emissions.