The Best Whiskey for Irish Coffee

Winter warmer season is in full swing, and wrapping your hands around an Irish Coffee warms the body and soul like little else... but only if the whiskey is spot on. Whilst they’re super easy to make, picking the ideal whiskey for however you like your Irish Coffee is the most important part, so pick your star of the show from the list below!

Powers

Dating back to a staggering 1791, Powers is the traditionalist’s whiskey option for their Irish Coffee. It’s got great complexity for the under £30 price point that will add layers to your coffee and keep it interesting until the end. It’s really smooth with gorgeous buttery shortbread notes, caramel and even a hint of chocolate adding to the indulgent experience.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £27.90

Jameson Stout Edition

Jameson tops the sales charts for Irish whiskey across the globe and whilst their original is a fantastic beginner’s option for Irish Coffee, their stout-seasoned barrel-aged edition is a level up. Alongside the signature easy-drinking smoothness and subtle fruitiness we expect from Jameson, this innovative mix boasts lingering chocolate, coffee and butterscotch notes that are dying to be the star of your next Irish Coffee.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%    
Find here: UK £23.99 / US $36.99

Slane Whiskey

Slane is stunning for the price with the perfect balance of spice and sweetness. Three different casks are used (seasoned casks containing bourbon, sherry and oak) to create a really full and satisfying taste, with rounded buttery vanilla notes. There are also hints of baking spice so it’s ideal for an Irish Coffee with a bit of heat behind the heat if you know what we mean. Indulgence in a mug!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £24.45 // US $32.99

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey

For just over £20, Kilbeggan is steadfast and reliable for an Irish Coffee. Smooth, light and more noticeably, it’s distilled twice rather than three times over so retains earthy peaty qualities that will go perfectly with certain coffees. Kilbeggan is named after one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland and the distillery itself is claimed to be the oldest of its type in the entire country, so it’s a taste of history too.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £22.44 / US $35.99

Roe and Co

Matured exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels and a blended mix of single malt and grain whiskeys, this Master award winning expression is spot on for an Irish Coffee with full and deep flavours. There’s creaminess, velvet texture, lofty notes of spiced pears, mellow vanilla and toasted oak that feels perfectly rich and warming for winter.  

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: UK £31.95 // US $38.99

Teeling Small Batch Whiskey

This is another whiskey that has a Master award sitting in its cabinet, but it’s more unusual. The malt and grain blend matures in ex-bourbon but is then moved to rum casks for a whole year before being bottled without chill-filtration. The texture is super smooth and behind that is bold flavouring that you can bet won’t die in the heat. Fruitiness from the rum entangles with vanilla and caramel cream for a wonderfully rich and varied palate. Combined with the coffee, there will be serious flavours happening so it’s got to be worth seeing if you love it.   

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: UK £36.95 // US $39.99

The Sexton Single Malt

Sexton is the go-to Irish Coffee whiskey for quite a few bartenders and that’s because of the delicious and authentic flavour. Made from 100% malted barley and triple distilled in copper pot stills, it’s then aged in Oloroso sherry casks imparting an inviting fruitiness. Vanilla, dried fruits and honeycomb sweetness are bold but restrained in the right places. The only negative is that the gorgeous vintage bottle makes it difficult to see how much you’re getting through, and when you take your first sip, you’ll see why that may present an issue.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £30 // US $29.99

Sliabh Liag Silkie Blended Irish Whiskey

The Silkies of Irish legend are seals that shapeshifted into irresistible beings on land, and it looks like some of them then transformed into whiskey bottles too because this is just as irresistible. Made in Donegal at the relatively new Sliabh Liag distillery, it is fruity and balanced with precision. From apricot on the nose, to honey on the palate and toasted caramel on the finish, there’s a sweet vein running throughout but it’s surrounded by plenty of character and intrigue that will easily shine through a hot Irish Coffee.

Size: UK 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £30.45

Green Spot Single Pot Irish Still Whiskey

This is a fabulous single pot still whiskey that’s been impressing critics for some time. Bourbon and then sherry casks create an enchanting nose of apple, malt, sugary porridge, creamy vanilla and tropical fruits, which opens up to a soft and spicy palate that feels interestingly fragrant yet woody. Far from being a whiskey that drags its feet, this is super light and complex and perfect for a sophisticated and endlessly rewarding Irish Coffee.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £39.99/ US $76.99

If you’re looking for the perfect Irish Coffee recipes, look no further, we’ve done the hard work for you!

10 Must Try Irish Cream Liqueur Cocktails

Autumn is in full-flow, winter, Christmas, and a New Year are on the horizon, and the nights have drawn in before dinner is even cooking. One thing is in order and that’s Irish Cream liqueur! Indulgent, creamy, and delicious, it’s the perfect pick-me up and that’s why we love putting it in as many cocktails as possible. Below we have winter warmers, wake-me up Martinis and unusual pairings that will blow you away. There’s something whatever your mood!

Irish Cream Coffee

Irish Coffee is made by adding sugar, whiskey, coffee and cream separately, so why not go direct by using Irish Cream? It’s the perfect cozy cocktail for a winter pick-me-up, with warming coffee and whiskey flavours, and super indulgent cream. The definitive hug in a mug.

Ingredients
50ml Irish cream liqueur
80ml coffee
Whipped cream (optional)
Grated nutmeg (garnish)

 Method
Pour in your chosen Irish Cream, and slowly stir in your freshly brewed coffee, making sure to combine them thoroughly. If you want even more cream and extra sweetness you can add a bit of lightly whipped cream at the end. Oh, and let’s not forget a bit of grated nutmeg on top to finish. Nom!

Mudslide

The Mudslide was adapted from a White Russian in the Cayman Islands in the 70s - not what you might expect from such a tropical place! It’s since become an American stalwart, often being mixed with heaps of ice cream for a boozy dessert. Ours doesn’t include ice cream, instead focusing on the spirits and liqueurs at play because they’re too good to be drowned in ice cream (no matter how nice that may be).

Ingredients
40ml good quality vodka
60 ml Irish cream liqueur
40ml coffee liqueur (like Kahlua)
Chocolate (to garnish)

Method
Add everything bar the chocolate to a cocktail shaker and shake really well with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and grate a generous amount of choc over the top! Top Tip: If you want to make them look that bit more special for a party, melt the chocolate and dip the rims of the glasses into it. Then stand them upright and return them to the fridge for gorgeous chocolate stalactites!

Irish Cream Hot Chocolate

Next. Level. Indulgence. This is a wonderfully warming treat to perk you up whilst the nights are drawing in fast. It’s creamy, smooth and just perfect for fireside sipping if you’ve got a sweet tooth.

Ingredients
60ml Irish cream liqueur
100ml hot chocolate
Whipped cream
Grated chocolate (optional)

 Method
You’ll want to make the hot chocolate separately here, and how you make that is up to you. Some mix powder with water, others use milk, so choose depending on how lean you’d like this cosy cocktail to be. Simply pour it over your Irish cream, add some whipped cream on top, and grate some chocolate to complete the look!

Irish Cream Martini

This is a luscious adaptation of a classic Martini, with crisp vodka cutting through the velvety cream beautifully. It has more of a backbone than other options on this list, and if you pick out a vodka that’s particularly smooth, with a touch of sweetness or creaminess (Black Cow, Ketel, Tito’s for example), it’ll be a match made in heaven.

Ingredients
50ml vodka
70ml Irish Cream liqueur
Espresso shot
Coffee beans (optional garnish)

 Method
It’s ridiculously simple once you’ve got your espresso shot. Just shake everything well with ice, and strain it into a classic martini glass! Coffee beans sit on top gorgeously if you want to go the extra mile!

Irish Cream White Russian

This Irish Cream White Russian packs a bigger punch than the original, replacing most of the milk and cream with Irish Cream instead. It’s delightfully decadent and so smooth that it’s dangerously moreish.

Ingredients
60ml Irish Cream liqueur
30ml coffee liqueur (like Kahlua)
30ml vodka
20ml milk (optional)

 Method
Add the vodka and coffee liqueur to your glass, preferably a lowball. Fill it with ice and pour your Irish Cream liqueur over the top. Stir gently until cold and watch the beautiful swirls as the colours mix! Top Tip: For those wanting to taper the boozy edge a touch, top up with a little bit of milk.

Irish Cream Espresso Martini

If you haven’t guessed by now, we love Espresso Martini and all the spin offs. Introducing the Irish Cream to this classic takes it to the next level, swapping any sharpness for sweetness and of course, pulling everything together with an easy drinking creamy texture. A nice autumn/winter makeover of the original we think.

Ingredients
50ml vodka
35ml Irish Cream liqueur
Espresso shot
25ml coffee liqueur
1 tbsp of syrup (optional)
Coffee beans (optional garnish)

 Method
Half fill your shaker with ice and add everything, shaking until it’s cold to the touch. If you like it sweeter, add a dash of syrup. This can be a simple homemade syrup (sugar and water), or agave will do.

Irish Cream Chocolatini

Chocoholics, all eyes here. This Chocolatini is sweet, creamy, and oh, so delicious. Original vodka works well as a sturdy base, but vanilla vodka would also pair well with the chocolate and Irish Cream. Maybe avoid a chocolate flavour though unless you really just can’t get enough.

Ingredients
35ml vodka (vanilla optional)
30ml Irish Cream liqueur
20ml chocolate liqueur (like Godiva)
Grated chocolate (garnish)

 Method
Pour your vodka and liqueurs into a shaker and fill it with ice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Grate some chocolate over the top and eat what’s left of the bar. Yes, that is part of the recipe.

Irish Cactus

Tequila lovers rejoice - this one is for you. This is a cocktail that blends an unusual duo to create something very intriguing indeed. The agave flavour of the tequila lurks in the background, with the sweetness and fruitiness providing a really enjoyable second layer behind the delicious Irish Cream. Getting the right balance is important with this one, so experiment and see which does it for you.

Ingredients
30ml tequila
60 ml Irish Cream liqueur

 Method
First, fill your glass with ice, and then pour over the stars of the show. Stir well to combine and enjoy!

Irish Slammer

Now, this is a St. Patrick’s Day drink if ever we’ve seen one. Malty Guinness with its notes of chocolate and coffee pairs so nicely with Irish Cream, not that you’ll have much time to savour it, because this is supposed to be guzzled down.

Ingredients
25ml Irish Cream liqueur
25ml Irish whiskey
½ pint Guinness

 Method
Combine the Irish cream and whiskey in a shot glass and prepare your Guinness. Allow the foam to settle, and then drop the shot glass into the dark depths and enjoy!

Greenbeard

Another slightly unusual pairing with this rum and Irish Cream cocktail. The rum brings out the warming subtle autumnal spices of the liqueur really nicely, and despite being two very different characters, they blend to create something totally distinctive with lots of oomph.

Ingredients
25ml Irish Cream liqueur
25ml spiced rum
Whipped cream (optional)
Grated chocolate (garnish)

 Method
Simple again – just shake with ice and strain into a tumbler. Cream and chocolate sprinkles to top it off.  

We’ve just used generic ‘Irish Cream’ in these recipes, but each has its own subtleties of course... and it’s the star of these cocktails so it’s gotta be spot on! Explore some of the best options to use in these cocktails by checking out our Best Cream Liqueurs guide here!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

6 Irish Coffee Recipes for All Whiskey Lovers

The season of cosy cocktails is upon us, and the Irish Coffee has to be right at the top of that list. Rich, warming and velvety smooth, it’s simply perfect as the nights draw in.  

They’re so simple to make, but that doesn’t mean you can’t vary it up! Picking the perfect whiskey can transform an Irish Coffee, so take a look at our favourites below. Richer, spicier, fruitier, whatever your preference it’s here.

Traditional Irish Coffee- Powers

If you want to taste Irish Coffee as it was originally intended, then this traditional recipe is the way to go because it’s exactly the way that Chef Joe Sheridan made it back in 1943, at Foynes Airport. It’s also the method that we follow in Episode 2 of The Three Drinkers in Ireland if you want to find out more! At the centre of it is Powers, a classic Irish whiskey that’s been around since 1791! This concoction is a true taste of history.

Ingredients
2 teaspoons brown sugar
120ml hot coffee
45ml Powers Irish whiskey
Cream lightly whipped

Method
First, warm your glass with hot water for a little bit (make sure you tip it out) before adding the sugar and then the beautiful steaming coffee. Add the Irish whiskey, and pour that silky very lightly whipped cream on top over the back of a spoon – this way it sits beautifully on top! As they say in Ireland, Slainte!

Fruity Irish Coffee - Jameson

Jameson is the biggest selling Irish whiskey in the world and for good reason. Deemed by many as the ultimate beginner’s dram, it has more pronounced sweeter notes with apples, honey and tropical fruits coming to the fore, rather than spice or smoke which can be more challenging. This is perfect for a really tasty and subtly fruity Irish Coffee to warm you on a cold night. 

Ingredients
30ml cream
10ml demerara sugar syrup
90ml espresso
35ml Jameson Original
Grated nutmeg (garnish)
1 vanilla pod (garnish)

Method
The sugar syrup is so simple to make, just dissolve demerara sugar in boiling water, and stir this into your measure of Jameson. Add the espresso shots. Then, whip the cream a little to stiffen it and pour it over the back of a spoon so it sits nicely on top. Garnish with a dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon and a vanilla pod for a drink that looks and tastes stunning.

Spicier Irish Coffee - Slane

Slane Irish Whiskey is made from not one, not two but three different casks – virgin oak, Sherry, and seasoned casks which previously contained Tennessee whiskey and bourbon. The end result is a really full taste, with flavours of butterscotch and vanilla, as well as warming notes of baking spice. It’s ideal for a spicier and particularly Autumnal Irish Coffee.

Ingredients
40ml Slane Irish Whiskey
15ml vanilla-infused demerara syrup
70ml espresso
20ml double cream
Dark chocolate shavings (garnish)

Method
Half fill your glass with boiling water and add syrup, coffee, and whiskey. The syrup can be made by combining boiling water, demerara, and vanilla essence or pods. Top with the lightly stiffened double cream float (again, using the back of the spoon) and finish with chocolate shavings. This is pure indulgence and the perfect balance of sugar and spice.

Peaty Irish Coffee - Kilbeggan

Now, this is a whiskey steeped in history. It’s named after one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland who founded a monastery nearby in the 6th century, and the Kilbeggan Distillery itself is the oldest of its kind in Ireland. It’s distilled twice rather than thrice, so retains strong peaty qualities and a long finish full of flavour.

Ingredients
15ml cream
15ml brown sugar syrup
90ml coffee
40ml Kilbeggan Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Grated nutmeg (garnish)

Method
Add your Kilbeggan and brown sugar syrup to the glass (to make this heat sugar to water in a 2:1 ratio until the sugar dissolves). Fill up with coffee and cover the top with a small amount of cream. Grate some gorgeous nutmeg to finish and voila!

Rich Irish Coffee – Roe And Co

Roe and Co have been on our lips since scooping the prestigious Master award at the Irish Whiskey Masters in 2019. It’s a beautifully balanced whiskey with creaminess, a velvety texture and notes of woody vanilla and spiced pears. Worryingly moreish and one you definitely have to try! Why not in a Irish Coffee?

Ingredients
40ml Roe & Co
75ml hot coffee
1 tsp demerara sugar
20ml double cream
Grated nutmeg (garnish)

Method
Super simple this one. Just add everything but the cream and stir well to dissolve the sugar. Then spoon over the gently whipped double cream on top and grate some nutmeg to finish. It’s luxuriously rich and fulfilling to the max.

Super Smooth Irish Coffee- Teeling

We bring you another Master winner, this time from 2020 and it’s Teeling’s glorious Small Batch. The blend of malt and grain whiskeys is aged in ex-Bourbon barrels initially, before unconventionally being moved for further ageing in Central American rum barrels. Because of this, it’s fruity on the nose, super smooth on the palate and finishes with an enticing caramel creaminess. The combination of rum and whiskey creates a unique flavour profile that you may well fall in love with! 

Ingredients
40ml Teeling Small Batch
80ml brown sugar syrup (50/50 split)
120ml coffee
20ml double cream

Method
Word to the wise, the sugar syrup here is a 50/50 split of sugar and hot water, which is less sugary than usual, in case you were thinking 80ml is a lot! Preheat your glass and add the whiskey, syrup, and freshly brewed coffee. Stir thoroughly and pour the cream over the back of a spoon. Again, grate some nutmeg if it suits your tastes and away you go!

If all that has got you in the mood for other coffee cocktails, then check out our best selections here. And for more great Irish Whiskey content, explore our other favourites with, ‘The Best Irish Whiskey’.

Words by Calum Ecroyd

8 Stunning Wine Finished Whiskies You Need in Your Glass

If you’re not familiar with a ‘whisky finish’, then let us very quickly explain what it is. It’s when the spirit is aged in a cask from a certain origin, before being moved to a different cask for further maturation. More often than not you’ll find American oak ex-Bourbon barrels have been used for the first cask, but it’s often with the second cask that more unusual flavours come into play. 

One of our favourites for this whisky finish is wine, but there’s a hell of a lot of inconsistency with the results. It’s no simple task aging whisky with wine, so if it sounds like it might be up your street, here are a few of our absolute favourites worth seeking out.

Black Bottle Double Cask Alchemy Series

Two blends intertwine to create this; a malt whisky matured in Spanish sherry casks and a grain whisky matured in red wine casks. As a result, the red fruits and berries are influential from nose to finish, but they are balanced out by vanilla and nutty notes. This is delightfully sweet wine finished whisky and we love the bottle too!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.3%
Find here: £25.75

Tamnavulin Red Wine Cask Edition

This splendid whisky is matured in American oak barrels and finished in French Cabernet Sauvignon casks imparting gorgeous notes of apple, honey, vanilla, and sweet red berry. It’s beautifully balanced because the mellow Tamnavulin works so well with the expressive fruity sweetness. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £33.74

Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Cask Finish

This is a gloriously golden single malt distilled in the Scottish Highlands finished in a 225-litre cask - hence the name! These casks used to hold Sauternes dessert wine, so it’s no surprise that this whisky is particularly creamy and citrusy, with traces of sweet spice lingering on the finish. It would work really nicely for a fruitier Irish Coffee.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £39.90

Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 Bordeaux Edition

A fairly rare dram with a total of 358 bottles produced, it was distilled at Linkwood in Speyside and finished in a Bordeaux wine barrique (a fancier way of saying oak barrel, but particularly used for wines like Bordeaux). There’s a lot of very alluring baking notes with this one, including gentle spice, buttery pastry, baked apples and rich red fruits. The finish in particular is very warming with touches of roasted nut, pepper, and nutmeg. Super sippable!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £49.95

Green Spot Château Léoville Barton

Another whiskey finished in barriques, but this one is Irish! In fact, it’s billed as the first of its kind in that respect. Before reaching these Château Léoville Barton casks though, it’s initially matured in a mixture of ex-Oloroso Sherry and ex-bourbon barrels. The result is a deeply layered blend, with floral fruity notes, and a lingering spice that continues from palate to finish.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £53.99

Glenmorangie Nectar D'or Sauternes

The exquisitely named Nectar d’Or has the syrupy, honeysuckle, and orange peel notes that you’d expect from a sweet Sauternes wine. No smokiness, it’s golden inside and out and is definitely one for the wine lovers out there. It would work well with a lightly flavoured soda like grapefruit, but at this quality you’ve got to try it neat first. 

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: UK £58.94 // US $81.99

GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Sauternes Finish 

This was whisky legend Billy Walker’s favourite wine finished whisky when he spoke with us recently, so you’re in good hands trying this one. A wonderfully well balanced Sauternes cask finish with plenty of fresh fruity sweetness on the palate, it’s a delightful dram.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 48%
Find here: £59.95

Whistle Pig 12 Year Old - Old World

Whistle Pig have been impressing people big time with their releases over the last few years and their award shelves must be feeling the strain, which explains the jump in price for this one. Old World is straight rye whiskey finished in three different wine casks – Madeira, Sauternes and finally Port. The spicy rye combines so well with the sweetness from the casks to create probably the best wine finished rye whiskey in the world. If you want to go all out, then this is the one for you.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £174.95 // US $179.99

We love wine finished whiskies at The Three Drinkers, so there’s a more detailed article here about Helena’s journey of discovery in Scotland. There’s also a few other fantastic options there that aren’t mentioned above!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

Bushmills Whiskey: An Irish Resurgence.

Words by Colin Hampden-White

I remember when Bushmills was the predominant Irish whiskey in the UK and Ireland. It was a while ago in the 1990s when I was at university and was learning as much as I could about whiskey. Scotch was all dominant, but if you liked Irish whiskey Bushmills was more than likely to be your dram of choice. After this time, other Irish whiskies came to prominence, however, if Proximo, who became Bushmill’s owner in 2014, has anything to do with it, this situation is about to change.

Bushmills has big ambitions to become the biggest Irish whiskey in the world. Now they know this takes time and effort, and that time and effort has to start somewhere. And where better than at home? I recently spoke to Alex Thomas, the master blender at Bushmills. Alex took up the post at the end of last year, and although she said it was a daunting prospect, it was a challenge she relished. Having worked at Bushmills for many years, being given the opportunity to blend Bushmills at a time when the brand was being marketed well for the first time in a long time is exciting. She said “we need to start at home, then one country at a time we have the possibility of becoming the biggest brand in Irish Whiskey”. A big claim, however, she has such conviction I don’t doubt her for a minute.

Bushmills have two great advantages to help them achieve this goal. Alex herself is a great asset, not only with her blending skills but also as an ambassador for the brand, she has an infectious enthusiasm and her knowledge is inexhaustive so to a whisky geek like myself Alex is fascinating to listen to. And secondly, but just as importantly, the whiskies, which are fabulous. I recently tasted three, the 10, 16 and 21 year old expressions and all were very good and exceptional value for money. Especially if one considers the prices of single malt Irish whiskey today.

Bushmills 10 year old

This whisky was the dram I most recognised from the days of old. Smooth and fruity. Melons and peach mix with hints of tropical guava fruit with a floral spicy finish. This whiskey won the best Irish single malt in 2007, and the quality is still there. Found in specialist retailers as well as supermarkets it is great value.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £34.99

Bushmills 16 year old

This 16 year old expression is a big step up from the 10 year old in its depth and breadth of flavour. Starting its life in ex bourbon casks, the whiskey was then extra matured in ex sherry casks, before finally spending a little time in ex Port casks. All these casks give different flavours and all marry very well together. With a nose of honey and stone fruits it develops on the palate with rich summer fruits, dark honey and tropical flavours. The finish is viscous with syrup and red fruits and a touch of spice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £78

Bushmills 21 year old

This expression moves on nicely from the 16 year old. It has a similar richness, but a great deal more finesse. The nose has similar honey notes but also spiced fruit and dark chocolate. The whisky is matured, like the 16 year old, in ex bourbon and ex sherry casks, but finished for two years in an ex Madeira cask. This gives a tropical mango note on the palate balancing the nutty and dried dark fruit flavours. The finish is sweet with a little damp tobacco and spice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £160

For more whisky content, such as great fruity whisky,  the best whiskies of 2022 and more, click here!

Spotlight on Bushmills: The Causeway Collection 1991 Madeira Cask Whiskey

My grandfather and generations of his family were born and raised in Northern Ireland, a stone’s throw from the Giant’s Causeway on the North Antrim coast, the river Bush and its namesake distillery, Bushmills. Bushmills Irish Whiskey was therefore a mainstay in my grandparent’s house. ‘Poppa’ George would always have his evening glass or ‘taoscán’ and when we came up to visit, he’d share one with my dad. The aroma is an early memory of the two of them that I will carry happily forever. 

This year, I am toasting them both with a very special whiskey from Bushmills: The Causeway Collection 1991 Madeira Cask. 

Bushmills & The Causeway Collection 

Bushmills is the world’s oldest licensed distillery with an incredible 400 year history of producing single malt, Irish whiskies with expertise passed down through many generations. It won the only gold medal for whiskey at the famous Paris Expo in 1889 and survived Prohibition, the barley taxes of the 1850’s and even a devastating fire around the same time. Today, it is still a world class distillery with a range of whiskies sought out all over the globe.

The Causeway Collection represents an exceptional range, where whiskeys are left to finish in special casks for a particularly long length of time. The result  is an assortment of concentrated and complex whiskies, each offering multiple layers of delicious flavour as dramatic, they say, as their beloved Giant’s Causeway and the County Antrim coastline on their doorstep.

The Causeway Collection 1991 Madeira Cask

Initially launched in November 2021, only 738 bottles of this limited-edition, thirty year old Madeira cask whiskey are available in Great Britain. It has seen more than thirteen years of maturation in oloroso sherry butts and ex-bourbon casks before enjoying an unrivalled maturation period of fifteen years in first-fill Madeira casks. The result is a deeply flavoured, silky smooth single malt whiskey with a sweet and saline character, notes of stone fruit and moch with a touch of creamy praline.

Find it exclusively at The Whisky Shop

Don’t forget, you can see the Giant’s Causeway in all its glory at the start of episode one of The Three Drinkers in Ireland, now streaming in Amazon Prime!

The Most Luxurious Whisky in the World

Words by Colin Hampden-White

There are a lot of very expensive bottles of whisky on the market these days. Although nearly all of it is good, as one would expect, there are some that are extraordinary. Over the last few months, I have come across a few of those bottles and wanted to share them with you here. A lot of them may not be on the market, so will have to be found at auction, but they are all worth hunting down if you have quite a lot more to spend on a bottle or have a special occasion when splashing out is appropriate. I’ll start off in the hundreds to give a couple of more affordable bottles but will end up in the thousands. At whatever price point you’re looking at they are all incredible whiskies.

Bushmills 2000 The Causeway Collection

This comes from a collection of vintage Bushmills and is my favourite dram outside of Scotland this year so far. This one was completely matured in first fill ruby Port casks and bottled in 2021. It was also bottled at cask strength with no colouring or chill filtering allowing the whisky to express itself without any hindrance. This is a decadent whiskey with lots of jam on the nose with some dry tobacco and rich manuka honey. The palate has lots of confected red fruits and the jam then turns to marmalade. There are hints of tropical fruit in the background too. The finish is very long, and the red fruits continue with a little cigar and spice in the background.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 54.1%
Find here: £239.95

Whistlepig 13 The Boss Hog edition 2018

My favourite whiskey I’ve tasted in the North Americas this year has been This Boss Hog. It is an annual release from Whistlepig and is very sought after by those who like rye whiskey. This expression has been finished in Calvados casks making the 2018 edition stand out. The core flavour of the whiskey is apples, and the Calvados casks bring out the cooked apple flavours balancing the fresh red apple. Other flavours include Maple syrup, bitter chocolate, and spice. The typical rye peppery and oily aromas and flavours are still there so the rye fans aren’t going to be disappointed, but the fruit is rich and complex making this one of the best Whistlepig whiskies I’ve tried.

Size: UK 750ml // US 700ml  
ABV: 57.9%
Find here: UK £574.95 // US $1,199.99

Caperdonich 30 Secret Speyside Collection

We now come into the world of Scotch, and this is a rare whisky which I think is undervalued considering the distillery no longer exists, so as time goes on there is less and less Caperdonich in the world. This 30 year old is an unpeated Caperdonich and was matured in first fill bourbon casks which I think allow the whisky to show itself at its best. The nose gives of dark stone fruit aromas as well as dark honey and some confected orchard fruits leading to rich apricots and tropical fruits on the palate and some spice. The finish is very smooth and goes on for a long while.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 51.1%
Find here: £820

Balvenie 30

The Balvenie 30 is released in batches. Once one batch has run out, they find some more exceptional casks to blend another batch. The one I tasted recently and is in the link below is from 2014. All the releases are very consistent, and I’ve never tasted one that hasn’t been brilliant. This won best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whisky Awards, and Gold Outstanding at the IWSC in 2013, both of which I am a judge on. It is a rich and very well-balanced whisky with lots of heather honey and nuttiness. There is plenty of spice, which is a Balvenie trait, and the palate shows a hint of smoke as well as vanilla, honey and damp tobacco leaves.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 44.2%
Find here: UK £1800 // US $1999.99

Mosstowie 45 Year Old 1973 Cask 7622

Mosstowie was a whisky produced for a short time at the Miltonduff distillery when it had a Lomond still, so effectively is a ghost whisky never to return. Bottled by Signatory this is a great expression. It has lots of sweet honey and some gorse flower aromas leading to a grassy style of whisky on the palate but still retaining soft stone fruits at its core. The finish is fine with woody notes and a little citrus. A refined whisky which has held its abv well over the 45 years it has spent in a cask. Only 410 bottles of this were produced and when it’s gone it’s gone.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 51.6%
Find here: £1494.99 

Dallas Dhu 50 Year old 1969 (Gordon and MacPhail)

This is possibly the most astonishing whisky I have tasted over the last year. It is incredibly rich and complex, yet the tannin is so well balanced the whisky remains smooth with a great mouth feel and weight to it. The distillery closed in 1983 so Dallas Dhu is becoming rarer and rarer. This expression was matured in a refill sherry hogshead and only yielded 176 bottles when Gordon and MacPhail bottled it in 2019. My tasting notes for this were very long and as I left the whisky in the glass more and more aromas and flavours developed. The main ones being fruit cake with all the complexity that cake as, zesty orange and ginger spice, marzipan and toffee apples mix with a tiny bit of smoke. The tannins slowly build up bringing in wood flavours, and by the finish coffee, chocolate and heather flowers can be found.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43.1%
Find here: £6,913.72

Strathisla 65 Year Old 1953 (Gordon and MacPhail)

Another release from the oldest independent bottler in the world, Gordon and MacPhail. Gordon and MacPhail are well known for releasing very well aged whisky, and with this release they have excelled themselves. Matured in a first fill sherry butt and bottled in 2019 there were only 143 bottled produced. There are lots of dried fruits and sherry aromas and flavours all the way through this whisky with older flavours like antique furniture polish and cloves and pencil box aromas. The palate opens with berry flavours and complex spices and dark chocolate. Fruity coffee, dark berries and oak make up the finish with a little cigar box in the background.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43.5%
Find here: £12,500

Glenfarclas Family Cask Trunk

For any Glenfarclas fan, this is the ultimate collection and at the time of writing of the 60 made I found one left. I wish I could say I have tasted the entire collection from 1954 to 2003, but I haven’t, I have however tasted enough of them to experience the huge range of flavours, from delicate, fruity drams matured in a refill bourbon cask, like 1979 to massive sherry bombs with lots of tannin that are almost black in colour like 1971. Within the collection, there is just about every flavour imaginable, and even touches of smoke in some of the older expressions. The trunk comes with other accoutrements, such as a replica of the oldest painting of the distillery, the original, from 1791 hangs at the distillery, four coasters and three hand-painted leather-bound books which give tasting notes and distillery history. There are also four tumblers and four nosing glasses, and a water jug made by Glencairn Crystal. All in all, a marvellous collection which can be enjoyed over many World Whisky Days to come.

Size: 10000ml
ABV: 50.5%
Find here: £105,000

If you enjoyed this but are looking for an exceptional dram at a lower price point, have a read of The World’s Best Whisky or New and Exciting Whiskies to Try.

The World's Best Value Whisky

Words by Colin Hampden-White

With so many whiskies being released each year it is hard to tell which are the ones that really punch above their price point. With the explosion of non-age statement expressions over the last ten years, the value proposition of whisky has never been better. Whisky fans the world over have come to realise that quality and flavour aren’t always about age.

There are of course countries where the whisky matures so quickly, that to have one which is older than the statutory three years is quite an accomplishment. I am thinking in particular about Paul John in India and Rochfort in Australia. Both are fabulous whiskies and I will write more on them later. This article is all about finding that incredible quality at a great price point. I’ve chosen six of my favourites, other people I am sure could add to this list, but I don’t think you’d go wrong if you picked up one of these in the shops.

Glen Moray Classic

Now, I accept this 1.75l bottle is not easy to find as you have to go to the distillery in Elgin to buy it, although some shops have stocked the odd one having first bought it at the distillery.

Once you take into consideration the size of the bottle, this works out at just £20 per standard 700ml, and it is amazing value. Full of orchard fruits, vanilla and honey, this is a classic Speyside. They say that with the microclimate at the distillery where the warehouses are, the whisky matures that little bit quicker than the rest of Speyside, which means this non-age statement whisky certainly tastes mature. This is a great gateway whisky into all things Glen Moray, and if you liked this I’d try the 12 and 18 year olds which are great value for their age.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £21.85 // $34.99
Large sized bottle: 1750ml // £50

Filey Bay

This is the flagship expression from Filey Bay. Distilled in Yorkshire, this whisky is made using only homegrown barely at the Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery. The whisky has intense apricot and peach flavours mixed with lots of ex bourbon-cask characteristics of vanilla and honey. This is very easy going for 46% and is one of the new breeds of English whiskies which are full of flavour.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £48.95 

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon

This is a big step up from the standard Four Roses, and is well worth spending the extra on. It has a mixture of mashbills and is made in Lawrenceburg Tennessee. The skill is bringing all the different mashbills together and creating a whiskey with huge amounts of well balanced flavour. There are ten mashbill recipes at Four roses, and they use four of them to make this whiskey. It’s fabulous value for money with flavours of dark honey, spices, toasted oak and a little vanilla.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: UK £29.90 // US $47.99

Wild Turkey 101

The 101 in Wild Turkey pertains to its alcohol strength. In the USA they have Proof rather than abv which is double whatever the European abv is. Hence 55.% abv and 101 proof. With the higher proof, this whiskey packs a punch, yet manages to remain smooth and balanced. The whiskey is at least six years old before it comes out of the barrel for bottling, adding to the extra punch of flavour. A great value bourbon with good age.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 55.5%
Find here: UK £29.95 // US £32.99

Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky

Over the last decade, we have seen the rise and rise of Japanese whisky, and we have also seen the prices rise at an astonishing rate. A less expensive way of making whisky which is usually reserved for making grain whisky is to use a Coffey still which has a continuous distillation. Here Nikka use a Coffey for their malted barley and the result is a rich, fruity and typically Japanese whisky and is a great place to start a journey into Japanese whisky. It’s still not the cheapest malt whisky in the world, but it isn’t expensive for Japanese whisky and is certainly worth it.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: UK £54.90 // US $99.99

J.P Wiser 18 year old

I tried this whisky a few weeks ago whilst in Ontario Canada where the whisky has been made since 1857 and started selling bottles in 1893. They sold only casks before that! It is a super smooth blended whisky with plenty of orchard fruits and a little cracked black pepper. A little fine oak comes through in the background and finish. If this were an 18 year old Scotch it would be at least 50% more expensive and therefore I think it is a great bang for your buck!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £40.95

If you enjoyed this, then why not have a read of The Best Whisky for Beginners or The Most Luxurious Whisky in the World