Choosing the Best Irish Whiskey for Your Palate
Irish whiskey has a long and rich history, but it can be tricky to navigate. Irish whiskeys come in a variety of styles, from single-malt and blended to different ages and proofs. When choosing your favorite Irish whiskey, look for one that suits your palate by considering the proof (or alcohol content), whether it’s blended or single malt, and what style you like best!
Irish Whiskey can be confusing to navigate.
Irish whiskey can be confusing to navigate. There are many types of whiskey, and Irish whiskey is one of them–but what does that mean? Irish whiskey is made in Ireland and has a distinctive taste that makes it unique from other types of whiskeys.
If you’re looking for an introduction to Irish Whiskey, here’s everything you need to know:
Look at the whiskey’s proof.
If you’re the kind of person who likes to know exactly what they’re drinking, look at the whiskey’s proof. Proof is simply the percentage of alcohol in your drink and it can range anywhere from 80 (a very low-proof whiskey) to 160 (a very high-proof whiskey). If you like a strong drink, look for something around 100 proof or higher; if not, try something closer to 80 proof. In general terms:
- As far as Irish whiskeys go, most are between 40% and 50% ABV (50% being on the lower end).
- American bourbons tend toward higher ABVs–around 60% or more–while Canadian ryes typically fall somewhere between 45% and 54%.
Choose between single malt or blended Irish whiskey.
You may have heard that Irish whiskey is divided into two categories: single malt and blended. While both are delicious in their own right, there are some key differences between the two that you should know before choosing which one to try.
Single malt whiskey is distilled at a single distillery and can be aged for up to 25 years. It’s made by mixing malted barley, water and yeast together in wooden barrels (often oak), then fermenting the mixture until it becomes alcohol. The resulting liquid has a distinctive taste due to its high levels of flavor compounds called esters–which come from fermentation or aging processes–and other compounds called congeners (chemicals created during fermentation). After distillation, this spirit is typically aged in casks for several years before bottling; however some producers choose not age their product at all!
Blended Irish whiskeys combine multiple whiskies from different distilleries into one blend based on flavor profile preferences set by master blenders who craft each bottle individually using their unique skillsets developed over years working together under strict quality control guidelines set forth by each company’s owner(s). Because these products contain varying amounts of grain versus malt content depending upon how much each component contributes towards creating final product characteristics like aroma/flavor profiles etc., they tend be less expensive than single malts but still offer tremendous value considering how long they’ve been aging prior release date.”
Pick a whiskey of your age range or older.
In general, the older the whiskey, the more complex it will be. The same goes for Scotch and other types of liquor. But what’s more important than just being old? You want to pick a whiskey that matches your palate–and that means picking one from an age range that suits your taste buds.
There are some great whiskeys out there that are just beginning their journey into maturation and aging (the first step in becoming a fine Irish whiskey). These younger spirits have bright flavors and lighter colors compared to their older counterparts; they’re also less expensive than those aged longer than 10 years! If this sounds like something you’d enjoy drinking on its own or mixed into cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, then definitely give these younger offerings a try before moving onto something more mature in flavor profile such as Bowmore Legend (10 years old) or Bushmills 1608 Limited Edition Reserve Single Malt ($200).
Try an Irish Whiskey that has been triple distilled.
When choosing an Irish whiskey, it’s important to consider the distillation process.
- Triple distilled whiskey is a sign of quality and shows that the distiller has taken the time and effort to make their product as good as possible.
- This longer distillation process means that triple distilled whiskeys have less water added during production–which means they’re smoother than other whiskeys on the market. This also makes them less likely to have an overpowering flavor (like some single malts).
You can find a great whiskey if you know what to look for.
To help you pick the right one, we’ve put together a list of things to look for in an Irish whiskey.
- Look at the proof–this will tell you how much alcohol is in your drink. The lower the proof number, the less water has been added to dilute it (and thus fewer calories).
- Choose between single malt or blended Irish whiskey–single malts are made from only one type of grain and are aged in barrels made from different types of wood; blends contain multiple grains and are often aged in barrels that were previously used for Bourbon or other whiskeys (which can give them more flavor).
- Pick an Irish Whiskey that’s appropriate for your age range or older–if you’re new to drinking, try something milder like Bushmills Black Bush; if you’re looking for something stronger, try Jameson Reserve Rye Cask Finished Reserve Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey . If neither seems quite right but both sound delicious? Try out some history with Red Breast 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky !
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this guide helpful in choosing the right buy Irish whiskey online for your palate. Remember, there are many factors that go into making a great whiskey, and none of them are more important than your own personal taste. If you have any questions or concerns about what we covered here today–or anything else related to drinking alcohol responsibly–please feel free to reach out!