A whisky cocktail in a coupe and a whisky drink in a rocks glass

A Guide to Irish Whiskey

Irish Whiskey - Same Water of Life, Different Walk of Life

Scotch whiskies - be they sublime single malts or brilliant blends - have become something of the norm when it comes to discussing drams. But did you know Irish whiskey (yes, with the e, but that's not all that's different about it!) was once one of the more prominent pours, even being considered the world's most popular spirit throughout the 19th century.

Thanks to a rousing resurgence, with iconic Irish whiskies like Roe & Co, we're returning to this little gem from the Emerald Isle. So let's learn all about the taste, traditions and tale of Irish whiskey...

A history of Irish whiskey

Whisky as a name comes from the Gaelic term, uisce beatha, which means water of life. So Ireland has always been there in the evolution of the spirit. And in the 19th century, Irish whiskies were the world's most popular spirit, with many historians and sources agreeing that around 70% of the world's whisk(e)y production came from the Emerald Isle.

But something of a lull - or a cull - happened, and by the 1960s, only two working Irish distilleries survived, Midleton and Bushmills.

By 1975, it was the merging of different companies - including Cork Distilleries, John Jameson & Son, and John Power & Son - that led to the production of a new Irish whiskey that helped begin a renaissance.

A rocks glass with a pouring of whisky, as people play chess in the background

The Irish whiskey comeback

After the likes of Jameson helped perk people's interest for a quality Irish whiskey, more expressions from the Emerald Isle made a return.

Teeling became the first new distillery to open in the country for over 125 years, and Roe & Co - neighbouring the iconic Guinness Storehouse - also became a vital lifeline in bringing back Irish whiskey in a big way.

Roe & Co saw a gap in the market - and positioned itself as a modern Irish whiskey for a modern sensibility.

The brand, named to honour the memory of George Roe, a whiskey-maker whose distillery was in its time the largest in Ireland, offers a perfectly balanced, almost fruity entry point into whiskies for the modern drinker - a whiskey that is primed for inspired cocktails and exquisite experiences.

What are the different types of Irish whiskey?

Before diving into the differences and delights of Irish whiskey, we must first look at what we mean when we say... 'Irish whiskey.'

At its most straightforward, Irish whiskey can be split into four types:

Irish Single malt whiskey - made entirely from malted barley that’s been distilled in a pot still at a single distillery.

Single pot still whiskey - made from a combination of malted and unmalted barley. Distilled in a single pot still at a single distillery like a single malt, the difference is that it can include raw, unmalted grains in the mash bill.

Grain whiskey - Can be made from a variety of grains, and is produced from a column still or Coffey still versus the single pot.

Blended whiskey - made from combining single malt whiskey, single pot still whiskey or both.

A look at a pot still in the roe and co irish distillery

What makes Irish whiskey different?

For the Americans, it's bourbon. Scotland has its masterful malts - from perfect peat to smoky single malts. For the Irish, the most important characteristic of whiskey is the single pot still.

Try an Irish single pot still whiskey and you'll know it every time. Sembo Amirpour, creator of luxury brands and global whisky connoisseur, described it as "smooth and light", while Maurits Wetemans, a world-class ambassador for spirits and flavor, attested to its "luscious character".

But what exactly is a single pot still?

The Irish Whiskey Technical File 2014 states that a single pot still whiskey must be made from a mash of unmalted and unmalted barley at a minimum of 30% each, with up to 5% of other grains such as oats, wheat and/or rye added if required.

Another important addition: like French champagne, Irish single pot stills may only be produced in Ireland.

Why Irish whiskey uses unmalted barley

Unmalted barley isn't an easy ingredient to use - in fact, the science of it all can be quite complex. To draw out the glucose needed to convert it into the alcohol, you need enzymes to break down the proteins around the starch. So why would Irish whiskey makers add such a complicated ingredient?

Like most things, the answer might be more money-focused than one might expect.

The introduction of a malt tax in 1785 meant that distillers using unmalted cereals in their mash bills paid less duty. So they saved more money.

However, in doing so, they realised that this unique way of making whiskey resulted in the fruity, light, creamy malt that separates Irish whiskies from global counterparts.

What casks are used for Irish whiskey?

The final difference with an Irish whiskey is in how it matures and the casks used.

Scotch whiskies must be aged in oak casks for at least three years and can only be finished in oak, too. Irish whiskies, however, after the initial three year aging in oak, can be aged and finished in casks made from other types of wood, which can typically include cherry, chestnut and acacia.

As Sembo breaks it down for us, "Irish whiskey often ages in bourbon or sherry casks, enhancing sweetness, while Scotch utilises diverse cask types, influencing complexity. Both offer unique, world-class experiences."

Discover Irish whiskey for yourself

Feeling equipped with all the intel on exactly what Irish whiskey is? Then the only thing left to do is try it. We recommend kicking off with Roe & Co, a premium blended Irish whiskey. Boasting notes of creamy vanilla and spiced pear, its the perfect place to start.

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A bottle of Roe & Co whisky sits on a table surrounded by cocktail-making equipment and a cocktail in a rocks glass.

How best to enjoy Irish whiskey

An Irish whiskey can be enjoyed several ways.

Because of its creamier, fruitier and lighter finish compared to a lot of Scotch whiskies, it might be one that's better enjoyed neat or over ice for anyone who isn't ready for a peaty or smoky Scotch.

The lighter profile of an Irish whiskey like Roe & Co also makes it a great foundation for a cocktail - with the flavours being less overpowering than a heartier Scotch.

For an easy beginner Irish whiskey cocktail, check out the Roe Highball:

You'll need: