We all know the big brands from Ireland, for beer there is Guinness, the quintessential Irish stout, for whiskey there is no brand bigger than Jameson, and for a reason, Jameson is a fabulous whiskey, in the world of liqueurs there is Bailey’s Irish Cream, known the world over, and in the world of Cider, we know Bulmers, which is Magners to those of us outside of Ireland. But what of the brands we don’t know so well? Here I compile a short list of the smaller producers of drinks in Ireland that should be on your list to try.
Ballykeefe Irish Gin
There are lots of gin brands popping up all over the place, at the last count in the UK alone there were over 400 different brands, in Ireland there are two brands to really look out for. The fist on this list is from the Republic of Ireland and is Ballykeefe. This gin is not trying to be different; it is simply trying to be good, and it succeeds. It is made in a classic style, but rather than using wheat it is made from potatoes which gives it a slightly earthy flavour. Great for a gin and tonic and excellent in a traditional martini, this is a great crisp yet flavoursome gin for all occations.
ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £39.95
The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey
Named after the legendary Silkie water spirits of legend which shapeshifted into irresistible beings, this whiskey is made in Donegal is on the North West coast if Ireland, it is about as far away from the capital Dublin as you can go. Here lies the Sliabbliag distillery, which is relatively new, and is tiny by comparison to most other whiskey distilleries, but the liquid it produces is wonderful. It is typically Irish being very fruity and very well balanced. Easy to drink and smooth enough to have by itself yet has enough character to go well with mixers. If you’d like to try something fairly unknown but tastes great, I’d give this a go.
ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £29.95
Waterford
Waterford distillery are producing its first bottle of whiskey this year, and it is going to be amazing whiskey, I have been to the distillery and tasted many of the samples. The distillery takes it’s grain for over 80 farms around Ireland and distils these grains separately. At Waterford they believe the flavour from different types of Barley and Barley from different farms tastes different. They distil all the grain in the same way and mature them in separate casks, and then take all these different whiskies to make a blend of giving a super smooth and flavoursome whiskey. In the future they are going to be creating single farm whiskies showing how different they can be and showing how the land effects the grain which in turn effects the flavour of their whiskies. Intriguing stuff!
For news of the release sign up here
Kilbeggan
This little distillery is owned by one of the largest whiskey companies in the world, Beam Suntory, and they know a thing or two about making good whiskey. However, the distillery has had a licence to distil since 1757, so Beam Suntory are continuing in a long tradition of whiskey being made in County Westmeath, the distillery closed between 1957 and 2007 because of the downturn in Irish whiskey. Kilbeggan is typically Irish by having a fruity, tropical Flavour profile. Double-distilled, the whiskey is produced from a mash of malt, barley, and about 30% rye, said to reflect the traditional practice of using rye, which was common at 19th century Irish distilleries, but has since virtually died out. So for a fruity whiskey with a peppery edge, give Kilbeggan a try.
ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £26.99
Coole Swan Irish Liqueur
Coole Swan is the only Irish Cream Liqueur that combines single malt Irish whiskey, Belgian white chocolate and fresh Irish cream to deliver a distinctive, balanced, subtly sweet taste and a smooth mouthfeel throughout.Gluten free,100% natural and a low ABV - Coole Swan explores a new side of Irish cream liqueurs. Serve Coole Swan neat or over ice, but always chilled. You can also add Coole Swan to you baking, your coffee and, notably, your cocktails - the possibilities are endless with Coole Swan. The bottle, based on the design of old Victorian milk bottles, is slimline and fits easily in the fridge. Unopened Coole Swan lasts 2 years on the shelf. However, once opened place in the fridge where Coole Swan lasts for 6 months. For a very tasty, but lower alcohol Irish liqueur, Coole Swan is my strong recommendation.
ABV: 16%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £24
Jawbox
Jawbox Gin comes to us from the Ards Peninsula, on the north-east coast of Northern Ireland. This small batch gin is made with a combination of 11 botanicals, including juniper, lemon, cubeb, angelica, coriander, cassia, orris root, grains of paradise, cardamom, liquorice root and Black Mountain heather. The distillers recommend trying this with ginger ale and a squeeze of lime. If you like gin with a peppery kick up front and soft spices on the palate, this also makes a good martini.
ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £27.99
Glendalough
Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey is a single grain Irish whiskey, initially matured in American bourbon barrels before enjoying a finishing period of six months in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks. This comes bottled at 42% ABV, brought down to this strength by Wicklow mountain water. A rather tasty release presented by Glendalough, rich in vanilla, caramel, Christmas spices and dried fruit notes. Founded in 2011, Glendalough produces whiskey and gin from a distillery in Newtownmountkennedy. It is the third-biggest premium gin brand in the country and recently signed a deal with Coca-Cola HBC Ireland to distribute its products, so we’ll be seeing more of this gin in the years to come.
ABV: 42%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £33.45
Micil Poitín
This wouldn’t be a good list of the best of Irish drinks if we didn’t include a Poitín, and this is a brilliant example. The botanicals used in Micil Irish Gin are pot distilled rather than added after distillation, and include bog myrtle, hawberry, heather, and the very same locally-picked Connemara bogbean used in Micil Irish Poitín. If you like white spirits which are complex and herbal in nature, then this is going to be right up your street.
ABV: 44%
SIZE: 700ML
Buy it now for £29.95
If you would like to learn a little more about Irish whisey, then this article on Waterford may give you a fascinating insight into modern Irish distilling.