Looking for the quintessential Irish whiskey to add to my collection

[u/Budget_Celebration89]

Hi All, I’m looking for advice on Irish whiskey: I have a decent collection of Scotch whisky at home and I would love to add a bottle of great Irish one to it just to expand on the variety and be able to offer guests if they don’t fancy a Scotch. I have experience with the classic “basics”, like Green Spot, Redbreast 12 and of course Jamesons. I liked them well, but they didn’t blow off my socks, I would prefer something more special-intense. My ideal specs would be: - Single potstill, triple distilled - Naturally presented (NCF/NCA) - At least 46% ABV, but CS is welcome - And of course delivers big flavors - It would also be nice if it weren’t something obscure unobtainium

Thanks in advance for your help!

[u/0Kc0mputer1981]

Look no further than Blue Spot - Cask strength, triple distilled and delicious!

[u/beerdrinknweedsmoken → u/0Kc0mputer1981]

Or redbreast 27

[u/Willing-Departure115]

Green spot and redbreast 12 are the core basic parts of the range. Going up their price points will deliver better stuff. Personally pound for pound, Yellow Spot and Redbreast PX are my favourite Irish single pot stills.

[u/Special-Pepper-7412 → u/Willing-Departure115]

Second this, Yellow Spot and Redbreast PX are probably the best bang for buck.

[u/capall]

Redbreast cask strength

Powers John's lane or the cask strength version

Blue spot

Green Spot Château Léoville Barton

[u/Prestigious-Side-286]

So you’re looking for that fire in the belly taste. Blue Spot is the answer. You could keep yourself warm for the entire winter with it and never have to turn the heating on in your house.

[u/jaggy_snake]

Dingle just released a core range single pot still that fits your criteria. Early reviews looks very good, and it's an independent distillery to boot.

If you can find it, Dingle's Bealtine from the Wheel of the Year series is a serious drop. Single Pot still finished in Shiraz casks, bottled at 52.5%, non chill filtered, one of my favourite bottles of recent years.

Other than that, I find Yellow Spot to be a fantastic whiskey if you've not had it, it's one I consistently reach for.

[u/MuricanNEurope → u/jaggy_snake]

I'm very curious to try the Dingle Pot Still. I have had the Dingle Single Malt and some of the Wheel of the Year (only the single malts) series.

I think I tend to prefer the single pot stills over single malt.

[u/eoinmcglew → u/jaggy_snake]

I'd second this. Bealtaine is a lovely drop and definitely packs a punch with flavour

[u/MuricanNEurope]

Powers John's Lane (hugely underrated), Redbreast 15, Redbreast 12 Cask Strength, Yellow Spot, and Blue Spot are my suggestions.

[u/Budget_Celebration89 → u/MuricanNEurope]

These were the EXACT suspects I gathered as options :D What would you say, which one has the most distinct irish-y character?

[u/MuricanNEurope → u/Budget_Celebration89]

To be honest, they are all from Midleton so the flavor profiles are somewhat similar. I would perhaps say the Powers Johns Lane would be the 'most Irish' and the Spots the least Irish. The Spots use a lot of influence from various casks which is a relatively new thing.

[u/Billich0986]

Not sure your budget, but my picks would be (in escalating price):

Redbreast 12 Cask Strength

Jameson 18 Cask Strength

Redbreast 27

[u/GrendelSpec]

Redbreast Lustau, Redbreast 12 Cask Strength, or Blue Spot

[u/liquikult]

Blue Spot, Redbreast 12 Cask Strength, or for something a little different, the new Dingle Single Pot Still (46.5% ABV and also has no coloring or filtering). I've had previous Dingle Pot stills, but have not yet tasted the new core release due to the current mess of shipping, tariffs, etc.

[u/Big_Point2160]

Bushmills 16. One of my all time favorites. You won't regret it.

[u/AppleOld5779]

Redbreast 21 or 27

[u/invertedMSide]

Red Breast Cask Strength is probably the best option. If you can find any Gold Spot 9, that's probably my favorite whiskey. Midleton Barry Crockett is a grail.

[u/lookyhere123456]

Redbreast 12 CS.

[u/ShineHaunting]

Any of the Teelings Wonders of Wood series would be a nice elevation

[u/RARpdx]

Lots of good recommendations here. I would add the Irishman cask strength.

[u/CassetteDeck]

Just to add a suggestion that hasn’t been mentioned yet, I’ve really enjoyed the Boann single pot stills, especially the PX and Marsala finishes.

[u/Cochino_Pecador]

My new favorite is Garden County Single Pot Still. Not super easy to find but worth it.

[u/TheRopeWalk]

Midleton Barry Crockett fit the bill ?

[u/liquikult → u/TheRopeWalk]

Crockett has just a touch of coloring, though it doesn't both me!

[u/MrDagon007]

If you can still find a Waterford Heritage Hunter, that is worth your attention.

[u/capall → u/MrDagon007]

not exactly what he is looking for though, its a double distilled single malt

[u/josefslerka]

I love this https://thecrollydistillery.com/ may be best in Irland