by Peter Scott

Created on: October 24, 2010

While the Irish whiskey market is not as diverse as the Scottish, there are still a number of quality whiskeys being produced today. There are two clear market leaders - Bushmills and Jameson - and a number of smaller manufacturers. Whiskey manufacturing, unlike some beer manufacturing, is still completely produced within Ireland.

Bushmills produce the finest single malt whiskeys in Ireland. Made in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, this historic (1608) distillery still produces a quality product. Their best whiskey is the "21 year single malt", which is laid in recycled sherry and bourbon casks. The aftertaste is quite remarkable, massaging the throat and nasal passages for many pleasurable seconds! Although this is their finest product, it is also their most expensive and their most popular is called "Black bush", being a blend of malt and grains. Malt whiskeys are so called due to being sourced from a single malted grain, whereas a blended whiskey consists of a malt and various grained whiskey. The distillery is situated near the coast and Atlantic Ocean, and its taste undoubtedly influenced by the frequent ferocity of that massive water.

Jamesons Whiskey is historically based in Ireland's capital city Dublin, although production also takes place in Cork; it has been in Dublin since 1780. They produce a blend but, unlike Scottish blends and Bushmills, do not combine a single malt. The combination of the complex of malted barleys and green barley results in an extremely smooth and lasting drink. There are variants of age and quality in the Jameson series (particularly the reserves) but most of their whiskeys are of very high quality.

Power's Whiskeys are also extremely popular with whiskey drinkers; originally produced in Dublin near the Guiness brewery, their products are currently made in Cork. Their most popular product is Power's Gold Label, being a blend of grains combined with the pot still technology. Like most distilleries they produce an aged product (12 year) which is a very fine product.

Like most whiskeys produced in the Republic of Ireland, Paddys is made in Cork. It has the distinction of being distilled three times and is kept in traditional oak casks. It is one of Ireland's finest blend although some experts find it a little 'single-minded' in its taste and lacking some of the complexity of other Irish blends.

A little-known but high quality whiskey made in Ireland is called Green Spot. Made by Irish Distillers exclusively for Mitchells of Dublin, this stunning blend is difficult to obtain, not least since only 1200 bottles are produced each year. It is unbelievably smooth and tempting, but perhaps over priced (over 40 euros for the standard bottle); the aged bottles sell in Mitchells for hundreds of euros.

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