There are four Irish whiskey styles: single malt, single pot still, single grain and blends. Ireland produces incredible examples of all of them, but the single malt and the single pot still are the most popular at Christmas. So what's the difference? Well, where single malt is made with 100 per cent malted barley, single pot still uses a combination of malted and unmalted barley as well as other grains like oats. The difference in recipe allows for layers of spice and creaminess that single malts just don't have. For whiskey fans, single pot still is a whole other experience.
So, to help you choose this Christmas, here are three homegrown single malts and three single pot stills – plus two excellent malt blends from two young distillers shaking things up – that will make any whiskey drinker’s Christmas.
Single Malts
Dingle Single Malt – Core release I was lucky enough to be there when Oliver Hughes cracked open and shared the team's very first whiskey on December 19th, 2015. Since then, the distillery has produced an annual series of single malts culminating in this, its first core release – meaning it's a permanent part of their range. It's matured in bourbon and PX Sherry, and bottled at 46.3 per cent.
€55 at obrienswine.ie and other retailers
Tullamore Dew 18-Year-Old Single Malt Tullamore is best known for its triple-blend approach of single malt, single pot still and grain but this beautiful 18-year-old single malt stands out from the pack. It delivers layers of vanilla, caramelised fruit, sweet honey notes and a long, decadent finish. Its 18 years maturing in four different casks – bourbon, port pipes, madeira and oloroso – have given an edge to this 41.3 per cent bottling. €155 at lmulliganwhiskeyshop.com and other retailers
Teeling Renaissance 18-Year-Old Single Malt This is the fourth release in the Renaissance series and another example of the quality of single malt that Teeling produces, following on from its World's Best Single Malt win in 2019. The Renaissance series launched that year too and this fourth edition was aged in ex-bourbon before a final two years in former Pineau des Charentes fortified red wine casks. Bottled at 46 per cent, it's beautifully packaged in a large decanter-style bottle and presentation box. €140 at celticwhiskeyshop.com and other retailers
Single Pot Stills
Redbreast 15 Redbreast is the acknowledged king of Christmas, and the biggest-selling pot still whiskey in the world. This 15-year-old, being the teenager in the family, often gets overlooked in favour of the standard 12-year-old or some of the flashier single cask releases, but don't be fooled. This whiskey is a worthy contender to lead. It's rich and decadent and perfect for anyone taking a step up the whiskey ladder. Expect dark fruits, creamy mouthfeel and that single pot spice in the finish. €110 at jamesfox.ie and other retailers
Drumshanbo Pot Still The Co Leitrim-based Shed Distillery released its first single pot still in 2020. Matured in Kentucky bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, it's bottled at 43 per cent and possibly one of the most attractively-packaged single malts at this price point on the market. It's a young, no-age statement whiskey but has all the punch of pot still and the taste of pepper and spice such whiskey demands. €60 at thesinglemaltshop.com and other retailers
Kilbeggan Single Pot Still The recipe for Kilbeggan's Single Pot Still whiskey is based on an original mash bill from the 1800s and is one of only two whiskeys made at the old Kilbeggan distillery itself. It also comes wrapped in the Westmeath colours, planting it firmly in the town's DNA. It's a rich, spicy and flavourful pot still made from malted, unmalted and 2.5 per cent oats. Double distilled and bottled at 43 per cent, it's been suggested it's about eight years old but there's no age statement on the bottle. €53 at mitchellandson.com
Mixing things up
Two new takes on malt blends from two great young Irish distillers. Method and Madness Rye & Malt This is the first whiskey fully distilled in the Method and Madness micro distillery at Midleton. It's an experimental blend of 60 per cent rye and 40 per cent malt whiskey that's stuffed with flavour and personality. Rye whiskey tends to be a softer experience than single malt or pot still so this one was double distilled rather than triple to keep its edge and spicy character. €95 from obrienswine.ie and others
The Dalriadan Double-Malt Blend The Dalriadan is the very latest from this hugely popular micro-distillery in Killowen in the foothills of the Mourne mountains in Co Down, and it's a cracker. It's a 40:60 blend of 11-year-old double distilled peated malt and 11-year-old triple distilled malt. Smoke is so uncommon in Irish whiskey these days that combining it with the floral and honey notes of malt is a rare treat. €134.95 from celticwhiskeyshop.com and others
