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Irish whiskey is whiskey distilled and matured in wooden casks for at least three years on the island of Ireland (the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland). The Jastin Off Licence range runs from smooth blends to single pot still, single malt and cask-finished bottles, and we deliver across North Cyprus.
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What is Irish whiskey?
Irish Whiskey is protected by a geographical indication. Under its technical file, the whiskey must be distilled and matured on the island of Ireland, spend at least three years in wooden casks of no more than 700 litres and be bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV. The definition covers both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; Bushmills Original, for example, is made in Northern Ireland.
Triple distillation is closely associated with Irish whiskey and generally aims for a lighter, smoother dram, but it isn't a legal requirement. At one point the number of distilleries on the island fell to just two; in recent years it has grown rapidly again.
Four main styles
- Single pot still: the style unique to Ireland. Malted and unmalted barley are used together and distilled in copper pot stills at a single distillery. It's known for its oily texture and spicy character; Redbreast 12 Year Old is the classic of the style.
- Single malt: made from malted barley only, in copper pot stills at a single distillery. For a different example that's peated and double-distilled, try Connemara Peated Single Malt.
- Grain: a light whiskey made by continuous distillation in column stills; it usually forms the base of blends.
- Blended: combines two or more of these styles. Jameson Irish Whiskey, one of the best-known Irish whiskeys in the world, is in this group. Writers' Tears Copper Pot is a different take, blending single pot still with single malt.
Cask experiments have multiplied in recent years: Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is finished in casks that previously held stout.
When choosing, the words single pot still, single malt or blended on the label are the easiest guide to what to expect. Cask finish information is another clue: a final stage in a rum, sherry or beer cask adds a new layer of aroma.
How to serve it
Smooth blends can be served neat, over ice or long with ginger ale. Tasting single pot stills and single malts from a tulip glass, with a few drops of water if you like, shows off their aroma better. The most famous use is Irish Coffee: hot coffee, sugar and Irish whiskey topped with lightly whipped cream. To compare with a peated Scotch malt, see our single malt range, or the main whisky page for every style. Message us on WhatsApp for a current price.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Irish whiskey and Scotch?
Both mature in wooden casks for at least three years; the difference is origin and tradition. Scotch is made in Scotland, Irish whiskey on the island of Ireland. Triple distillation is common in Ireland, and the single pot still style using unmalted barley is unique to the country. In Scotch, double distillation is more common and peated styles appear more often.
What is single pot still whiskey?
Single pot still is Irish whiskey made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley, distilled in copper pot stills at a single distillery. The unmalted barley gives the whiskey an oily texture and spicy character. Redbreast is one of the best-known examples.
Is Irish whiskey always triple-distilled?
No. Triple distillation is a common Irish tradition aimed at a lighter dram, but it isn't a legal requirement, and some Irish whiskeys are distilled twice. The legal definition sets production on the island, at least three years in cask and a minimum strength, not the number of distillations.
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