15 Great Irish Whiskeys Under $100

15 Great Irish Whiskeys Under $100

Irish whiskeys are celebrated for their smooth and approachable character. Often triple-distilled, they exhibit a light and sweet profile with notes of honey, malt, and fruit. Renowned for their drinkability, Irish whiskeys are enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a versatile base for cocktails. Whether single malt, blended, or pot still, Irish whiskeys encapsulate a rich heritage of craftsmanship and a commitment to producing delightful spirits that appeal to a broad range of palates.

The Sexton Single Malt

Crafted from 100% Irish malted barley, The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey undergoes a triple distillation process in copper pot stills to ensure exceptional smoothness. The aging process takes place in oloroso sherry casks, contributing to the whiskey's rich hue and a well-balanced flavor profile. With delightful notes of dried fruits, subtle oak, and a velvety finish, The Sexton offers a captivating experience that leaves enthusiasts yearning for more.

Slane Triple Casked Irish Whiskey

Crafted in Ireland's Boyne Valley, this exceptional Irish whiskey seamlessly blends the whiskey-making expertise of Kentucky with the rich traditions of Ireland, resulting in a spirit that is both smooth and robust, aged to perfection. The intricate aging process involves Virgin casks from the renowned Brown-Foreman Family cooperages in Kentucky, followed by seasoned casks from the same source, and a final maturation in Oloroso sherry casks. The nose reveals notes of oak and barley, accompanied by a subtle hint of ginger, while the palate delights in the nuances of butterscotch. A lingering finish showcases toasted oak and a warm, gingery essence, delivering a well-rounded and flavorful experience.

Roe & Co. Irish Whiskey

Named in honor of the historic George Roe & Co. Distillery, which stood as Ireland's most renowned whiskey producer until its closure in 1926, Roe & Co. is a revival of that esteemed legacy. This whiskey is a harmonious blend of malt and grain whiskey, matured in bourbon casks. The nose offers a creamy sensation, while the palate unfolds with a gentle spice, accentuated by notes of pear and vanilla. The experience concludes with a lingering finish. Notably, Roe & Co. takes pride in being non chill-filtered, preserving the integrity and complexity of its flavors.

Teeling Small Batch

Following the Teeling family's departure from Cooley, the distillery they founded, the eagerly anticipated return has arrived in the form of Teeling Whiskey. This expression, finished in rum casks and bottled at 46% without chill-filtration, serves as a compelling statement of their commitment to quality. The blend is reputed to feature a significant amount of first-fill bourbon cask whiskey and an elevated ratio of malt to grain, promising a distinctive and flavorful profile.

Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey

Powers Gold Label offers a sophisticated and nuanced tasting experience characterized by a blend of complex spices and honeyed notes. The distillation process involves a triple distillation, with meticulous attention given to capturing only the purest heart of the distillate by carefully selecting portions from the second and third pot still charges. The matured spirit is then aged in carefully chosen American oak barrels, allowing the distinctive distillate-driven style to take center stage. This exceptional whiskey is further enhanced by the addition of the finest grain whiskey, ensuring a harmonious and exclusive maturation in American oak barrels.

Writer's Tears Pot Still Irish Whiskey

For those who associate Irish Whiskey with Jameson, the resurgence of craft spirits in Ireland introduces a delightful alternative—Teeling. This award-winning blend of Pot Still and Single Malt Whiskeys has gained popularity for its delicious, light, and sweet profile. A harmonious combination of 100% barley, both malted and unmalted, is aged in bourbon casks, resulting in an easy-drinking whiskey at 80 proof. Recognized with 93 points by Jim Murray in 2010, this Irish gem is perfect for those seeking a delightful introduction to the world of Irish Whiskeys. While recommended for everyday enjoyment, its scarcity might encourage savoring this exceptional spirit for special occasions.

Jameson Caskmates - Stout Edition

Jameson Caskmates is a remarkable expression born from collaboration between the head distiller and head brewer of Cork’s Franciscan Well Brewery. This unique whiskey undergoes finishing in stout-seasoned casks, imparting distinctive notes of cocoa, coffee, and butterscotch. The result is a head-turning, modern Irish whiskey that maintains the triple-distilled smoothness characteristic of Jameson while embracing the rich influence of stout-seasoned casks. A testament to the creative fusion of brewing and distilling expertise, Caskmates offers a delightful and contemporary take on traditional Irish whiskey.

IrishAmerican Classic Blend Whiskey

Crafted with precision, this premium blended whiskey boasts a unique composition of 70% malted barley and 30% whole-grain wheat. Meticulously matured in American bourbon casks, the result is an original flavor profile marked by rich aromatics with subtle notes of fruit and spices that linger through the finish. The nose reveals delicate and refined characteristics, with floral and citrus notes accompanied by hints of cinnamon and oak. On the palate, it opens with a light and delicate introduction, showcasing an approachable blend of vanilla and oak, ultimately culminating in a mild pepper finish. Its light gold hue adds to the overall allure, creating a whiskey experience that is both nuanced and satisfying.

Two Stacks The First Cut Blended Irish Whiskey

Crafted by three visionary friends reshaping the Irish beverage industry, Two Stacks stands as a testament to reinvestment in artisanal blending. "The First Cut," their flagship expression, is a 5-part blend of grain whiskies aged in ex-bourbon and virgin American oak barrels, boasting a non-chill-filtered approach. Immerse your senses in the aromatic notes of vanilla cream, dried pineapple, and rancio nuttiness. The weighty mid-palate reveals candied citrus, almond skin, and subtle sherry hints, harmoniously balanced by a delightful wood spice finish. With an ABV of 43.0%, Two Stacks captures the essence of traditional craftsmanship, celebrating flavor nuances curated by hand, taste, and smell.

San Patricios 7 Anos

In tribute to the 200 Irish Volunteers who valiantly fought for Mexico during the Mexican-American War of 1846-48, known as the San Patricios, the collaboration of these two nations is celebrated in a remarkably smooth Irish Whiskey with a Latin influence. This unique offering is a 7-year-old Single Malt Irish Whiskey aged in Tequila and Mezcal Casks. Branded as San Patricios, this premium spirit boasts a rich, full-bodied profile with floral undertones, cinnamon spices, and a velvety oak finish. Each batch is a limited edition, comprising 1,850 bottles, and is consistently bottled at 100 PROOF, delivering a distinctive and memorable expression that pays homage to historical camaraderie.

IrishAmerican 10 Year Single Malt

IrishAmerican 10 Year Single Malt is a meticulously handcrafted whiskey, utilizing the finest single malt barley, and undergoing a double distillation process before maturing for a decade. The extended aging in American bourbon casks imparts richness and full-bodied character with a subtle floral underbelly and hints of cinnamon spice. The nose is a symphony of strong wood and leather notes interwoven with dark dried fruits, offering a rich and full-bodied aroma. The palate delights with light and fruity notes, featuring an immediate burst of blackberry and raspberry, evolving into the dried vein fruits of raisins and dates, creating a luscious viscosity. The finish is warm and spicy with oak undertones and lingering caramel, providing a satisfying conclusion to this amber-hued whiskey. With an ABV of 40.0%, the IrishAmerican 10 Year Single Malt exemplifies craftsmanship and complexity.

RedBreast Single Pot Still 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey

Founded in 1857 at the corner of Oxford Street and Berwick in London, W&A Gilbey Co. grew to be a prominent wine and spirits merchant with one of the largest whiskey inventories across Dublin, Belfast, and Edinburgh by the turn of the century. In 1912, Gilbeys introduced Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, named after the Robin Redbreast bird, reflecting the Chairman's passion for ornithology. Today, Redbreast continues this legacy, employing a blend of malted and unmalted barley triple-distilled through copper-pot stills—a distinctively Irish approach. Aged in Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks, this 12-year-old whiskey offers a unique character with delicate linseed oil and roasted nut aromas, evolving into vibrant notes of ginger, oak, and caramel, culminating in a spicy finish adorned with raisins and sherry.

Two Stacks Cask Strength Blended Irish Whiskey

Crafted by three visionary friends at the forefront of revitalizing the Irish beverage industry, Two Stacks embraces artisanal blending, rejecting industrial norms. Every aspect of their production is meticulously executed by hand, guided by taste and aroma. The 'Cask Strength' expression mirrors the 5-part blend of grain whiskies aged in ex-bourbon and virgin American oak barrels, maintaining the non-chill filtration of their flagship 'The First Cut' but bottled at cask strength for a distinct profile. Noteworthy aromas of dried tobacco, grilled pineapple, and subtle peat pave the way for a palate featuring concentrated shortbread, caramel, and tropical fruit. This high-octane dram unfolds with a few drops of water, transforming into a pineapple-upside-down-cake dream, leaving lingering sherry and leather notes.

Powers John's Lane

The Powers John's Lane Distillery, famed for its flavorful Pot Still Irish whiskeys and home to the iconic Powers Gold Label, introduces the John's Lane Release—the inaugural expression of Powers Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Honoring the whiskey tradition originating at John's Lane, this release offers a taste of the style that brought Powers its renown. Crafted with a Pot Still distillate true to John's Lane's heritage, the whiskey ages for a minimum of 12 years, primarily in first-fill American bourbon casks, complemented by a touch of Oloroso sherry butt-matured distillate. The result is an exceptionally complex and flavorful Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey—a fitting homage to the spiritual home of one of Ireland's cherished whiskeys.

Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength

Redbreast 12 is meticulously crafted from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, undergoing the triple distillation process in copper pot stills. The whiskey matures in a harmonious marriage of Bourbon-seasoned American Oak barrels and Oloroso Sherry-seasoned Spanish oak butts, showcasing the signature Redbreast sherry style. The Cask Strength expression offers a rare glimpse into the unadulterated, full-flavored essence of Redbreast 12, delivering a sensory experience that captures the true richness and complexity of Pot Still whiskey.