They say that if you want the best bottles of Irish whiskey, you need to make a fortune. Well, the best bottles can be expensive, but cheap does not always mean bad. There are cheap Irish whiskeys packed with a fine punch and appeal to most taste buds.
Here’s the best cheap Irish whiskey you can enjoy without breaking the bank. Dive in!
Top 15 Cheap Irish Whiskey You Should Try
15. Powers Irish Whiskey 12 Year
Average Price: Around $45.06
Alcohol Content: 46%
Why We Like It:
The Single Pot Still Irish whiskey has a great aroma and flavors of apple pie, frosted cereal, honeyed dried stone fruits, and raisin soda bread. It is medium-to-full body whiskey with a long, refreshing, and tingling finish.
In addition, Powers Irish whiskey is a classic whiskey made using a combination of oloroso-sherry and bourbon cask. It is aged for 12 years for an artful, bright fruit and interesting flavor profile.
14. Writers Tears Copper Pot Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $42.40
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
The Writers Tears Copper Pot Irish whiskey has appealing aromas and flavors of caramel, vanilla, green apple, and ginger. The Irish whiskey has a medium-intensity, fruity and medium-length finish.
13. Knappogue Castle 12-Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $48.99
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
The Knappogue Castle 12-Year Single Malt Irish whiskey is a triple distilled in traditional onion-shaped pot stills. It is then matured for twelve years in bourbon oak casks for a remarkable and distinctive flavor.
12. Slane Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $29.88
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Slane Irish whiskey combines three casks for a complex, smooth, and robust distilled spirit. It has rich tasting notes of banana, vanilla, butterscotch, and subtle baking spice that we enjoyed on the rocks.
11. West Cork Glengarriff Bog Oak Charred Cask Whiskey
Average Price: Around $41.99
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It:
West Cork Glengarriff Bog Oak Charred Cask Whiskey is a triple distilled whiskey matured in a sherry cask and finished in bog oak charred casks for another 4-6 months. It has an intense spice, cracked pepper, and malt with the rich aroma of sweet dried fruit undertone and dried leather.
10. Paddy’s Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $21.99
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Paddy’s Irish Whiskey is a triple-distilled whiskey with a mild yet crisp flavor. It is made from the finest barley and water and has matured in three types of oak casks for years. The grains have a floral and light touch with sweetness with a breath of honey, vanilla, and spice.
9. Kilbeggan Traditional Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $26.99
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Kilbeggan Traditional Irish Whiskey is a blend of the finest malt and grain whiskeys. It has a sweet and smooth taste with a lovely malty finish. On the palate, it has rich smoothness with a blend of malt, oak, pears, and spice flavors.
8. Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $34.99
Alcohol Content: 42%
Why We Like It:
The Double Barrel Irish whiskey is aged in bourbon and Oloroso casks for a unique character and flavor profile. The bourbon barrel gives smooth vanilla notes while the oloroso casks layer the slightly nutty flavors of the whiskey.
7. Clontarf 1014 Classic Blend Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $27.99
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Clontarf 1014 is a classic blend of Irish whiskey with vanilla-rich whiskey matured in bourbon casks. It is masterfully crafted from premium Irish ingredients for a long-lasting, inviting aroma and satisfying finish.
6. McConnell’s Irish Whisky
Average Price: Around $32.99
Alcohol Content: 42%
Why We Like It:
McConnell’s Irish Whisky is aged for five years in ex-bourbon barrels for a subtle sweetness and deep oak woodiness. It has light citrus notes, vanilla undertones, and a sweet lingering ripe fruit finish.
5. The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $29.99
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey is crafted using 100% Irish malted barley and is triple distilled for smoothness and purity. It is aged in Oloroso sherry butts for a deep, bold flavor profile.
4. Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $39.99
Alcohol Content: 46%
Why We Like It:
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey has layers of unique flavor profiles influenced by cask maturation techniques. For a unique fruity profile, it is aged in ex-bourbon barrels and Central American rum casks for one year. But what makes Irish Whiskey different?
3. Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $28.49
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey is an original triple blended whiskey with a nice flavor balance. The grain whiskey gives sweetness, the malt brings fruitiness, and the distillation gives exceptionally smoothness to the distilled spirit.
Find out the best way to drink Tullamore here.
2. Bushmills Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $35.99
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Bushmills Irish Whiskey is a classic whiskey, and its recipe dates back to pre-prohibition [1]. It combines pure single malt and lighter grain whiskey for a smooth, rich, balanced, and warming taste.
1. Jameson Black Barrel
Average Price: Around $41.99
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Jameson Black Barrel is a special pot still whiskey that undergoes double charring for richness and complexity. We enjoyed drinking it neat and on the rocks because of its nutty notes, rich spice, and intensity of vanilla and toasted wood.
*Average prices are based on Drizly. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
FAQs
What’s the best cheap Irish whiskey to drink straight?
Jameson Black Barrel is the best cheap Irish whiskey to drink straight. It has a fruity and rich aroma with intense and unctuous creaminess with a long finish that you will appreciate and enjoy. But what’s the worst cheap whiskey today?
What’s the best cheap Irish whiskey for beginners?
Bushmills Irish whiskey is the best cheap Irish whiskey for beginners. It is widely available, moderately priced, and has a rich flavor that you can enjoy neat, on the rocks, or as a cocktail.
What defines a cheap Irish whiskey?
A cheap Irish whiskey refers to an affordable option that offers good value for its price, providing a satisfying drinking experience without breaking the bank.
Can I find high-quality Irish whiskey at a budget-friendly price?
Yes! There are many excellent Irish whiskeys available at affordable prices, offering a balance of quality and value for whiskey enthusiasts on a budget.
What factors should I consider when choosing a cheap Irish whiskey?
When selecting a cheap Irish whiskey, consider factors such as flavor profile (smooth, fruity, spicy), age (blended, single malt), and personal taste preferences.
Are there any specific brands of cheap Irish whiskey known for their quality?
Yes, several reputable Irish whiskey brands offer exceptional products at budget-friendly prices.
How do I know if a cheap Irish whiskey is suitable for my taste preferences?
Read reviews from other consumers or whiskey experts to gauge the quality and flavor profile of cheap Irish whiskeys. You can also explore different brands and expressions to find the best fit for your palate.
Can I use cheap Irish whiskey in cocktails?
Absolutely! Cheap Irish whiskey can be used in various cocktails, such as Irish Coffee, Whiskey Sour, or Irish Mule, adding depth and flavor to your favorite mixed drinks.
Final Say
Irish whiskey is one of the fastest-growing distilled spirits in the US [2] because it has a smooth, sweet and versatile flavor profile. For under $50, you can enjoy a bottle of Irish whiskey that is drinkable and very nice to sip on.
You can spend more for an excellent premium Irish whiskey. However, you can enjoy a bottle of good Irish whiskey without breaking the bank by getting one of the best cheap Irish whiskey on our list.
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/event/Prohibition-United-States-history-1920-1933
- https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=39f896e4-47d4-4909-90bb-3b93c51e744e
