Irish Whiskey
Whiskey distilled and matured on the island of Ireland — protected as an EU geographic indication.
Irish whiskey is a whiskey distilled and matured on the island of Ireland (Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland), as defined by EU Regulation 2019/787 and the Irish Whiskey Technical File. It must be distilled to less than 94.8% ABV, matured in wooden casks of capacity no greater than 700 litres for at least three years, and bottled at a minimum 40% ABV. Triple distillation is traditional but not legally required. The category includes single malt, single pot still (a uniquely Irish style using a mixed mash of malted and unmalted barley), single grain, and blended Irish whiskey. Bushmills, Jameson, and Tullamore D.E.W. are the largest brands.
Quick facts
- Type
- Style
- Style
- irish
- Minimum aging
- 3 years (EU Regulation 2019/787)
- Origin
- Ireland
Triple Distillation
Triple distillation in pot stills is a defining traditional feature of Irish whiskey, contrasted with the typically double distillation of Scotch single malt. The third distillation removes additional heavier congeners and produces a smoother, lighter spirit. Not all Irish whiskey is triple distilled — Cooley Distillery (now part of Beam Suntory) and Connemara double distil — but the practice remains a category hallmark associated with Bushmills, Midleton, and others.
Single Pot Still
Single pot still Irish whiskey is a category unique to Ireland, made from a mixed mash of malted and unmalted barley distilled in pot stills at a single distillery. The unmalted barley component produces a characteristic spicy, oily texture. The style originated as a 19th-century response to the malt tax (which applied only to malted grain). Redbreast and Green Spot are leading single pot still expressions.
Sources & further reading (1)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-15
Frequently asked questions
Why is Irish whiskey usually triple distilled?
Triple distillation is traditional in Ireland and produces a smoother, lighter spirit than the double distillation typical of Scotch malt. The third pass removes additional heavier congeners. Some Irish distilleries (Cooley, Connemara) double distil; the practice is traditional rather than legally required.
What is 'pure pot still' or 'single pot still'?
Single pot still (formerly 'pure pot still') Irish whiskey is made from a mixed mash of malted and unmalted barley, distilled in pot stills at a single distillery. The unmalted barley gives the style a characteristic spicy, slightly oily texture. The category is unique to Ireland.