Irish whiskey is one of the world’s oldest recorded spirits, with written references dating back to 1405, nearly a century before whisky appears in Scotland’s records. Its early success was built on scale and export demand, particularly to the United States, with landmark moments such as the granting of Bushmills’ licence in 1608 helping to cement the Emerald Isle’s distilling reputation.
The 20th century, however, brought sharp decline. Political upheaval, trade disruption and Prohibition severely weakened the industry, and by the middle of the century, only a handful of producers remained in operation. Yet the past two decades have marked a decisive revival. Today, Irish whiskey is once again on the rise, with a growing diversity of styles, producers and ageing strategies shaping a category that feels both confident and contemporary.
This year’s IWSC results underline that momentum. From refined single-pot-still expressions to ambitious single malts and characterful blends, Irish whiskey performed at an exceptionally high level, rewarding whiskies that balance clarity, texture and depth rather than overt heaviness.
At the top of the table, Redbreast 18 YO Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey claimed a Gold Outstanding with 98 points. Judges praised its ‘captivating aromas of custard tarts, spiced shortbread and tangy apples,’ leading into a rich, oily palate layered with ‘dark chocolate-dipped Seville orange and a burst of cinnamon.’ It’s a textbook example of why single pot still remains one of Ireland’s most distinctive and expressive styles.
Sharing that top score was Blackwater Distillery’s The Full Irish Blended Whisky, another Gold Outstanding winner, impressing judges with its ‘complex aromatic display of puréed orchard fruit, biscuity grain, and melted chocolate.’ Sitting in the third spot on the list, Midleton Very Rare 2025, awarded Gold, delivered vibrant aromas of oak and sweet fruit, unfolding into a creamy palate of ‘lemon meringue, fresh apple, and subtle baking spice.’
Single malt Irish whiskey also made a strong showing this year. Bushmills 16 YO Single Malt, finished in port casks, impressed judges with its ‘luscious nose of black cherries and stewed plums,’ while Teeling’s Very Rare Cask 33 YO Rum Cask Single Malt stood out for its vibrant tropical profile and bold, zesty complexity. Elsewhere, producers such as Sailor’s Home and Roe & Co demonstrated how imaginative cask finishes, from stout to sherry, can add depth without overwhelming balance.
All the Irish whiskies featured here were judged blind by an international panel of industry experts at the IWSC, with awards reflecting outstanding quality, balance and character across a wide spectrum of styles. Judges included Diageo’s Charlotte Barker, Billy Abbott of The Whisky Exchange, and Guy Hodcroft, spirits buyer at Bordeaux Index.
HOW DO WE JUDGE THESE SPIRITS?
We run a tightly structured, rigorous spirits tasting process. That means that each spirit sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC spirit judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the drinks industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.
HOW DO WE SCORE THESE SPIRITS?
Only the best spirits sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, spirits have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver wines range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.
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12 award-winning Irish whiskies to try
