Irish Whiskey Reviews

Christmas traditions are celebrated the world over. Some like wearing ugly sweaters, others baking cookies, and some like watching their favorite holiday movie. A tradition I enjoy is opening a special bottle of Irish Whiskey from the collection to share with family and friends. This year I've selected the McConnell's Old Cromac Collection 20 year old Single Malt. The Old Cromac Distillery was once one of the world's leading whiskey makers. Built along the River Lagan in Belfast, the legendary distillery was known for its pure, aerated water and McConnell's Irish Whisky until its closure in the 1930's.  Fortunately, a...

Hinch Distillery has released its first Irish whiskeys entirely distilled at its County Down facility. Appearing on US shelves for the first time in October 2025, two single malt expressions represent the latest in Irish whiskeys from the new wave of distilleries to reach US shores. Hinch began distilling in late 2020 before its official opening in March 2021. The beautiful facility includes various tasting and event rooms, an outdoor courtyard, and a maturation warehouse on site along with its three copper pot stills. Irish whiskey fans were rewarded with a front row view when Hinch hosted the 2024 Irish...

The Bushmills 1608 Anniversary Edition is a beautiful blend with sentimental value. Released in 2008 to commemorate Bushmill's 400th anniversary for their license to distill, a new review now may seem somewhat out of place. For reasons I will now expound, the review is timely in October 2025. When Irish Whiskey Society America launched in October 2010, there were only 3 Irish distilleries producing whiskey. Variety was somewhat lacking, especially compared to today with over 40 distilleries and numerous other bonders, bottlers, and independent brands. As we were just beginning as an Irish Whiskey club in the USA, this expression...

Exciting things are happening south of Belfast at Rademon Estate Distillery, home to the Shortcross range of distilled spirits. From the 2014 launch of their Shortcross Gin, the range of spirits has expanded into intriguing Irish Whiskey releases. David and Fiona, husband and wife team, are crafting unique expressions at their boutique distillery which are winning over whiskey enthusiasts and creating a legion of fans.  From their first whiskey release in 2021, you knew something was different at Rademon Estate. Their inaugural release was matured in Bordeaux red wine casks before finishing in chinquapin oak, making it unusual having not...

In 2022, Sazerac Company purchased the Lough Gill Distillery in Co. Sligo. Lough Gill had previously released sourced whiskeys, most notably the trilogy series of 14yr single malts under the Athru name. In April 2025, Sazerac renamed the distillery Hawk's Rock and announced further investment and expansion of the sprawling facility at Hazlewood House by the lake made famous by W.B. Yeats. The Garavogue 20yr Single Malt Release 1 is the first Irish Whiskey under the new iteration. This new Irish Whiskey is named after the river in Sligo. The Garavogue may be the shortest significant river in Ireland; however,...