Irish Whiskeys to Enjoy Instead of Proper No. Twelve
Proper No. Twelve And Forged Irish Stout are muck anyway so put them in the bin.
Last week, a High Court jury ruled that Conor McGregor had sexually assaulted Nikita Hand. Since the ruling, retailers including Tesco and SuperValu have been announcing en masse that they will be dropping all products associated with McGregor. This includes Proper No. 12 Whiskey and Forged Irish Stout.
Even Proper No. 12’s parent company has cut all ties with McGregor, announcing that they will no longer use his likeness or name in promotional material. Proximo Spirits has been the 100% owner of Proper No. 12 since 2021, but now they will have zero connection to him. Despite the severance, the whiskey will no doubt leave a bad taste in your mouth.
We know you wouldn’t want to endorse any festering lowlifes when buying your Christmas tipples this year, so here are a few of our favourite smaller Irish whiskey brands for you try. These are excellent quality and most importantly remain unblemished by association with any horrible gowls.
Co. Galway
Fans of peated whiskeys know Connemara. Its smoky, earthy flavour is a bit of a rarity in Irish whiskeys. It’s not for everyone, but if you like it peaty, you’ll love Connemara. It’s reminiscent of the Scottish style but is distinctly Irish in its smoothness. The flavours transport you to a cosy fire in a thatched cottage, sheltered from the wilds of the Atlantic on the coast.
Co. Kerry
The Dingle Distillery was the brainchild of craft beer experts, and the spirit of innovation synonymous with that enterprise shines through in the distillery. A family-owned business, Dingle Whiskey started in a tin shed in Co. Kerry and has become a trailblazer in the field of spirit production, with their whiskey, gin, and vodka all making a splash.
Co. Down
A micro-distiller that embraces traditional methods, Killowen uses a direct flame in the distillation process along with small pot stills. Their commitment to local ingredients and heritage reflects their surroundings in the ancient Mourne Mountains. They’re not afraid to experiment, and have rum, poitín, gin, and liqueurs in their repertoire as well.
Dublin
Jack Ryan’s is a family-run whiskey finishing operation dating back to 1913. Thomas Ryan, the son of whiskey distillers, set up a finishing hall in Haddington Road. Today, the family carries on the tradition, sourcing and marrying fine whiskeys to finish in their provenanced casks to create unique finishes for their award-winning whiskeys.
Co. Down
A finishing operation that is shaking up the whiskey world in a big way, Two Stacks is pushing the boundaries of taste and presentation. They experiment with traditional and experimental cask finishes, utilising barrels like peach schnapps and ice wine to give their whiskeys a unique edge. They also launched an innovative range of spirits for on-the-go with their Dram in a Can—100ml serves of their whiskey range.
Dublin
The biggest comeback story since Rocky 6. They injected much-needed revitalisation into the Liberties’ whiskey heritage when they became the first new distillery in Dublin to open in over 125 years. The Teeling brothers brought the family business back to the Liberties generations after Walter Teeling set up his distillery in 1782, just a stone’s throw from where the modern operation is set up today.
Co. Wicklow
Inspired by the rolling moors and bountiful forests of the area they call home, Glendalough Distillery focuses on the craft and heritage of whiskey-making. Their logo is St. Kevin, a hermit who founded the monastery between the lakes. They take inspiration from St. Kevin’s appreciation of nature, drawing on local resources to craft their spirits, which include a gin as well as their whiskey.
Co. Donegal
They’re bringing back Donegal peat whiskey. Their signature Silkie blended whiskey is a love letter to the Donegal coast, offering layers of subtle smokiness and an oaky sweetness.
Co. Meath
Based in Drogheda, Boann is known for their Whistler range of triple-distilled whiskey. They are a family-driven business devoted to craftsmanship and reflecting the landscape of the Boyne Valley, with locally sourced ingredients right down to the water used and honey from the family beekeeper.
Co. Leitrim
You’ll know The Shed’s famous Drumshanbo Gin, but have you tried their whiskey? The triple-distilled Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey uses malted and unmalted Irish barley and is aged in Sherry Oloroso and Kentucky Bourbon casks for a silky mouthfeel with balanced, aromatic warm fruit notes.
