Last Updated on: 22nd April 2024, 04:15 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Surprise an Irish whiskey lover with the perfect gift!
With guidance from whiskey expert Neil Coleman and customer insights, my top choices for the best Irish whiskeys feature exclusive rarities, superior blends, and options suitable for any budget!
Written by: J Highland
Quick Look at the Best Irish Whiskeys for a Gift
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whiskey | Price |
| Bushmills Prohibition Recipe / Best under $30 | $25 |
| Writers’ Tears Copper Pot / Best under $50 | $50 |
| Redbreast 12 | $52 |
| Green Spot Chateau Montelena | $100 |
| Redbreast Cask Strength/ Best under $100 | $92 |
| Red Spot | $170 |
| Jameson Bow Street / Best under $200 | $190 |
| Redbreast 21 / Best for Deep Pockets | $350 |
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Bushmills Prohibition Recipe: Best Gift under $30
- Nose: Peach, apricot, vanilla, honey, oak
- Palate: Vanilla, caramel, honey, apricot, banana
- Finish: Medium, honey, dried fruit, vanilla
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
The Bushmills Prohibition Recipe avoids the pitfalls of celebrity endorsements. It ditches the usual 80 proof for a bolder 92 proof and remains unfiltered, keeping the good stuff in.
The nose starts fruity with peach, apricot, and a hint of vanilla and honey. The palate is rich and textured, mirroring the fruity notes with caramel, vanilla, honey, and a touch of banana. The finish lingers with honey, dried fruit, vanilla, and a pleasant warmth.
“A surprising pleasure,” says Irish whiskey expert Neil Coleman. “It avoids the disappointment of some celebrity spirits and offers a strong option for both Peaky Blinders fans and Irish whiskey enthusiasts.”
Writers’ Tears Copper Pot – Best Gift under $50
- Nose: Honey, caramel, malt, apple
- Palate: Honey, apple, vanilla, caramel
- Finish: Caramel and oak spice
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
Writers’ Tears offers a sweet and spicy twist on Irish whiskey. The nose entices with honey, caramel, malt, and hints of apple. The palate is satisfyingly full-bodied, mirroring the honey and apple with vanilla, caramel, and a touch of oak spice. The finish is medium-length and dry, with a touch of heat and oak bitterness balanced by lingering caramel and oak spice.
While not complex, Writers’ Tears delivers a delightful experience, especially for the price. It boasts a more robust flavor profile than typical Irish whiskeys, finishing with a satisfying bite. This whiskey is a tribute to Ireland’s literary giants, and its name, Writers’ Tears, reflects the essence of their creative process. A classic Irish dram worthy of a place in any collection.
Creamy & Complex: Redbreast 12 Redefines Irish Whiskey
- Nose: Vanilla, caramel, ginger, orange peel
- Palate: Ripe fruit, citrus, sherry, baking spice, oak
- Finish: Baking spice, red fruit
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Redbreast 12 shatters expectations of Irish whiskey. Forget the typical lightness – its nose offers rich vanilla, caramel, ginger, and a hint of orange peel. The palate explodes with an incredibly creamy texture, followed by ripe fruit, citrus, sherry, and oak. The long finish is a symphony of warmth, baking spice, and dried fruit.
This isn’t your average Irish dram. It rivals Speyside giants like Macallan with its complex layers of flavor. Smooth and devoid of harshness, it’s a journey for the senses. While the price tag might seem high initially, one sip reveals its true value.
Green Spot Chateau Montelena – Best Gift for Wine Lovers
- Nose: Berries, vanilla, baking spice
- Palate: Apple, pear, vanilla, malt
- Finish: Almond, vanilla, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat, add water
Green Spot Chateau Montelena takes the classic Green Spot on a unique adventure. After its initial maturation, it finishes its journey in ex-Zinfandel wine barrels from California’s famed Chateau Montelena winery.
The influence is evident on the nose, offering rich berry fruit alongside vanilla and baking spice. The palate is incredibly smooth and creamy, with apple, pear, vanilla, and a hint of malt. The secret weapon? Subtle red wine grape notes emerge, adding complexity. The finish is long and warming, with almond, vanilla, and a touch of oak spice.
This Green Spot is a step up from the original. The higher proof (46% ABV) and Zinfandel cask amplify the flavor without sacrificing smoothness. Non-chill filtration preserves more of the good stuff. A great choice for whiskey and wine lovers alike. (under 100 words)
Redbreast Cask Strength – Best Gift under $100
- Nose: Bread, marzipan, vanilla
- Palate: Dried fruit, baking spice, caramel, vanilla
- Finish: Long, oak, baking spice
- Alcohol content: 112 proof (55.8% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Redbreast 12 Cask Strength dials up the original with a powerful punch. Uncut with water and unfiltered, it boasts a higher ABV and intense flavor.
The nose explodes with brioche bread, marzipan, and vanilla. The palate is incredibly creamy, with a warming initial sip that smooths out quickly. Bold flavors of dried fruit, baking spices, caramel, and vanilla take center stage, leading to a long, warming finish of oak and spice.
Enjoy neat or with a touch of water to tame the heat – this is a powerhouse dram for whiskey enthusiasts.
Red Spot – Best Gift under $200
- Nose: Oak, almonds, dried fruit, vanilla, leather
- Palate: Caramel, vanilla, ripe fruit, hazelnut
- Finish: Cinnamon, oak
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Red Spot spends 15 years maturing in a unique combination of ex-bourbon, sherry, and Marsala wine casks. Marsala, a fortified Sicilian wine, adds nutty and sweet notes often found in dessert wines.
The influence is evident on the nose, with oak initially dominating, but hints of almond, dried fruit, vanilla, and leather emerge. The palate is incredibly smooth and creamy, with flavors of caramel, vanilla, ripe fruit, hazelnut, brown sugar, and a subtle tobacco finish. The finish is short but satisfying, with oak and a touch of cinnamon.
Red Spot drinks remarkably like a top-shelf bourbon, with some even comparing it to Pappy Van Winkle due to shared tasting notes. It’s a beautifully balanced whiskey, free of harshness and easy to sip. This is a delightful dram for bourbon lovers and Irish whiskey aficionados alike.
Jameson 18 Bow Street – Best Jameson for a Gift
- Nose: Red berries, oak
- Palate: Ripe fruit, cinnamon, honey, oak
- Finish: Long, brown sugar, oak
- Alcohol content: 110 proof (55% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Jameson Bow Street is a heavyweight blend. Aged 18 years in bourbon and sherry casks, it gets an extra kick with a 6-12 month recask in first-fill American oak bourbon barrels at Jameson’s Bow Street distillery. Bottled at cask strength and unfiltered, it packs a punch but remains surprisingly smooth.
The nose offers a surprising balance for its high ABV – rich red berries and oak with minimal ethanol. The palate is creamy and satisfying, with an initial warming sip that transitions to ripe fruit, spicy cinnamon, honey, and oak. The long finish is warm and pleasant with brown sugar and oak. Water helps tame the heat and brings out sweetness.
Jameson Bow Street is a well-crafted, unique dram. While not cheap, its 18-year age and complex flavor profile make it a worthy choice for those seeking a powerful Irish whiskey experience.
Redbreast 21 – Best Gift for Deep Pockets
- Nose: Ripe fruit, roasted nuts, dried fruit
- Palate: Vanilla, oak, nutty, baking spice
- Finish: Long, oak, baking spice
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Redbreast 21 pushes the boundaries of Irish whiskey. Aged in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, and bottled without chill filtration, it delivers an unmatched experience.
The vibrant nose opens with tropical fruits, dried fruit, and roasted nuts. The palate is luxuriously smooth and creamy, with vanilla, oak, sherry nuttiness, and baking spice. The long finish lingers with oak and spice. This is a contender for the finest whiskey ever tasted. While exceeding most Scotches in price and age, the Redbreast 21 is a special occasion dram to share with loved ones or savor solo.