About Irish Whiskey Notes

These are exciting times for Irish whiskey. There is, for the first time in many years, competition on the volume side between Diageo (via Bushmills) and Pernod Ricard (via Irish Distillers). Both are adding capacity which will ensure the Irish whiskey category's continued growth around the world.

On the quality and variety side, the independent Cooley distillery now has the depth of stock to produce some of the finest and most interesting whiskeys ever tasted on this island.

The century-long trend of distilleries shutting down has also been reversed. Cooley is gradually bringing the historic Kilbeggan distillery back to life, while the Irish-owned Porterhouse Brewing Company has advanced plans to begin whiskey production in Kerry.

This site is maintained by me, David Havelin, Dubliner and whiskey drinker. While my forebears practised the coopering trade and were thus intimately involved with the industry in Dublin, I myself have no connection with any whiskey manufacturer or seller.

Irish Whiskey Notes is an exploration of everything and anything to do with Irish whiskey and whisk(e)y in Ireland. The product, the business, the heritage, whiskey-related events... it will all be covered here.