Red Breast 12 Year Old: This pot still whiskey is made from a blend of malted and unmalted barley from local farms in the Munster region of Ireland. Considered the quintessential expression of Irish pot still whiskey, Red Breast has been on shelves for more than a century for good reason. It has a silky mouthfeel, with toasted nuts and fruity sherry on the palate and a lingering finish of green apples. $59.99.
Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey: Named after famed horse Tyrconnel and his odds-defying win of 1876 in the National Produce Stakes horse race, what was intended to be a one-off special release by distiller A.A. Watt turned into one of the best-selling Irish whiskeys before Prohibition. This single malt has hints of rich nougat, honey, and mild oak, with a malty finish. $39.99.
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Glendalough Poitín Premium: The original Irish spirit, Poitín (Poch-ine), or Poteen, is a clear spirit that’s fermented and distilled from any available carbohydrate. Otherwise known as Irish moonshine and the father of whiskey, Glendalough uses malted barley and pure spring water for the Poitín. This spirit is light and rich, with hints of raisins, dark cherries, sweet grains, and peppercorns. It’s the perfect way to honor Irish ancestors by drinking the spirit that they drank. $29.99.
Paddy’s Irish Whiskey: A blend of three distinct Irish whiskey-making traditions, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey combines, grain spirits, malted barley, and a pot still for a smooth sipping libation. The light-bodied spirit has hints of green apple, honey, and vanilla. Originally named ‘Map of Ireland’ Whiskey, from Cork Distilleries, it wasn’t until Patrick J. O’Flaherty (a.k.a. Paddy) began buying and selling pours that pubs and patrons alike started asking for “Paddy’s Whiskey.” So it’s no wonder that Cork Distilleries changed the name to Paddy’s to honor the man who put it on the map. $22.99.
Connemara Peated Irish Whiskey: An outlier among Irish whiskeys, Connemara is one of the few peated Irish whiskeys. Inspired by a traditional 18th-century method of drying malted barley on peat fires, Connemara boasts notes of vanilla, honey, and peaty vegetal greens, with hints of light baking spices. It finishes light, with lingering hints of grilled honeyed apples and sweet peppers. $48.99.
Green Spot Irish Whiskey: A delicious blend of 7- and 10-year-old pot still whiskeys, this Irish whiskey is aged in a combination of new bourbon, ex-bourbon, and ex-sherry casks. It’s then blended to perfection. The whiskey was originally made for the Mitchell family by way of the Jameson Distillery. The Mitchells would send the distillery ex-sherry, port, and wine casks to be filled with whiskey, and they would then collect said barrels and age them until they were ready to be sold. Green Spot has a unique palate consisting of spicy cloves, sweet green apples and barley. The finish lingers and rounds off with vanilla and toasted oak. $64.99.
Writer’s Tears: This Irish whiskey was created to pay homage to the writers and whiskey makers of the late-18th and early-19th centuries. Using the traditional pot still method and then blending, Writer’s Tears exemplifies the relationship between the Irish literary giants of the late 1800s and the whiskeys that they likely drank. With a velvety mouthfeel and hints of raisins, light spice, and toffee apples, the finish warms you all the way through. $44.99.
Knappogue Castle 16-yr Single Malt Irish Whiskey Sherry Cask Finish: Named after and created in a 15th-century Irish castle, Knappogue Castle starts as a 14-year-old single malt aged in ex-bourbon barrels. It’s then transferred to ex-Oloroso sherry barrels. These barrels impart complex and delicious notes of fruity maltiness, a sweet raisin-like nuttiness, and lingering hints of orchard fruits. $89.99.
Teeling Irish Small Batch Irish Whiskey: The Teeling Brothers hail from a long line of whiskey makers dating back to the late 1700s in Dublin. It wasn’t until 2015, however, that Jack and Stephen Teeling opened a distillery right up the street in Dublin from where their ancestors originally distilled Teeling Irish whiskey. One of the more unique Irish whiskeys, Teeling is a blend of grain and malt whiskeys that are aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Central American rum casks for up to 12 months. The resulting spirit has a floral, herbaceous nose that translates to creamy dried fruits and vanilla on the palate. The finish lingers with toasted oak notes. $39.99.
Restless Spirits Irish Whiskey: The Kansas City-based distillery was founded by the Shannon family, which has Irish roots tracing back to the Potato Famine. In collaboration with the Great Northern Distillery of Dundalk, in County Louth, Ireland, Restless Spirits created a 4-year-aged Irish whiskey. Look for notes of green apple, honey, and clove in this tribute to those of Irish descent. $40.99.
Need more St. Patrick’s Day ideas? Listen to the Arch Eats podcast with George Mahe and Cheryl Baehr to discover the best places for Irish food in St. Louis.
