Time to cheers!

Ireland’s drinks industry is raising the bar this festive season, blending tradition with bold innovation. Drinks Industry Ireland reports on the many brands set to make a splash this Christmas season

This feature brings together the best of what’s landing on shelves and back bars for Christmas 2025, from whiskey steeped in folklore to cocktails crafted with flair, from global icons unveiling new looks to independent distilleries charting bold new paths. It’s a season worth raising a glass to.

A timeless whiskey pour

Paddy Irish Whiskey is raising a glass to a bold new look – while keeping the award-winning recipe that has made it one of Ireland’s best-loved whiskeys since 1779.
The distinct triple blend of grain, malt and pot still Irish whiskey has been enjoyed for generations, at home and around the world. Whether neat, over ice, or mixed into a Paddy Apple Lemonade, the smooth, mellow flavour remains unchanged.
Paddy new pack design honours its roots and namesake, Paddy Flaherty, the travelling Cork salesman who carried his love of whiskey to every corner of the county. Blending heritage with modern appeal, the refreshed look is built to stand proud on shelves and back bars worldwide.
As a global leader in Irish whiskey, the new Paddy look signals a commitment to growth and securing the brand’s future for years to come – on shelves, behind bars and in glasses everywhere.

Rooted in the spirit of Sligo

This Christmas, Hawk’s Rock Distillery invites whiskey lovers to savour the spirit of the season with Garavogue 20-Year-Old Single Malt Irish whiskey, the first release from Sazerac’s newly rebranded distillery on the shores of Lough Gill.
Crafted by master blender Helen Mulholland, Garavogue is a celebration of balance, warmth and discovery, the kind of whiskey made for slow evenings and meaningful moments shared with family and friends.
Double-distilled and aged in a complex mix of casks – including French Muscat, French Sauternes, Spanish Pedro Ximénez Sherry and Barbadian Rum, Garavogue 20-Year-Old opens with aromas of vanilla, warm peach and spun sugar, before revealing layers of buttery apple, citrus and sweet spice.
“There’s a richness to Garavogue that feels perfect for this time of year,” says Mulholland. “You get those indulgent notes of vanilla, fruitcake and honeyed spice from the cask finishes, with a warmth that builds and lingers. It’s one to sip, savour and share.”
Inspired by the Garavogue River that runs through Sligo town to the Atlantic, this inaugural release pays homage to the landscape and people who shape it. Housed in a distinctive crescent-shaped bottle with wave-pattern detail, Garavogue 20-Year-Old makes an elegant gift for collectors and whiskey connoisseurs alike.
Recently named as the “Best Irish Whiskey” in the 2025 Esquire Spirit Awards, Garavogue is available in limited quantities at a suggested retail price of €199 (700ML) through select distributors in Ireland, the UK, the US and Duty-Free, and from the Celtic Whiskey Store online.

A masterclass in smooth

For years, whiskey has been boxed in as a fireside sipper, but Fercullen Irish Whiskey is helping rewrite that narrative, one glass at a time. Crafted by the skilled team at Powerscourt Distillery, Fercullen 15 is a masterclass in smooth, layered elegance. Its rich vanilla, soft spice, and honeyed grain character shine equally well served neat, on the rocks, or as the base of a winter cocktail. In fact, its creamy finish and refined balance make it a standout in highballs, whiskey sours, or even a bold take on a whiskey spritz.

The rising interest in lighter whiskey expressions and creative serves is no coincidence. Consumers are looking for heritage and quality, but also for flexibility. Fercullen Irish Whiskey offers just that: a heritage rooted in the Wicklow mountains, a commitment to quality, and a forward-thinking approach to how whiskey can be enjoyed.

Fercullen invites you to look beyond the traditional and explore whiskey in a whole new light. Fercullen 15 and the entire Fercullen range of whiskeys are available through Barry and Fitzwilliam or directly from Powerscourt Distillery.

Introducing the world’s first Irish cream liqueur infused with a Dubai chocolate twist

Feeney’s, purveyors of luxury Irish Cream Liqueur, is launching an exciting new flavour, Feeney’s Dubai Chocolate Style Irish Cream Liqueur. Dubai Chocolate has been a viral sensation since December 2023 when an influencer debuted eating a bar on TikTok.

Now we can announce the arrival of the very first Dubai Chocolate Style Irish Cream Liqueur, an extravagant fusion of Irish and Dubai heritage, combining velvety smooth Irish Cream Liqueur with rich flavours of pistachio and kataifi pastry. Feeney’s Dubai Chocolate is crafted from local Irish cream blended with barrel-aged Irish single malt, with a nutty, chocolatey twist offering a luxuriously smooth texture and taste.

Dubai Chocolate Style Irish Cream debuted exclusively at Dublin Airport in September, where Feeney’s is the number two brand in travel retail by volume and value, and is now also available from Dublin Liberties Distillery, via www.theDLL.com, with further retailer listings in Ireland, Germany, Hungary and the US.

Feeney’s Dubai Chocolate Style Irish Cream Liqueur is likely to appeal to those who appreciate gourmet and artisanal products and are drawn to premium, limited-edition trends, it’s also an ideal gift purchase. An all-year-round drink, it can be enjoyed best on the rocks, or in an indulgent warming hot chocolate.

Craft Cocktails has Christmas covered with new Espresso Martini flavour

Craft Cocktails have launched a brand-new flavour to elevate your at-home tippling in time for the silly season. The new Espresso Martini, the cocktail that turned the after-dinner drink into a party starter, joins Craft Cocktails’ award-winning range of colourful bottled cocktails, made in Ireland using premium sprits, 100% natural ingredients and some serious bartender know-how.

Dark and delicious, the Espresso Martini mixes premium vodka with rich coffee liqueur and smooth coffee for a silky, bittersweet cocktail, ready to drink – just chill, shake, and pour over ice. With the return of their limited-edition trio of festive favourites, alongside their much-loved personalisation service, Craft Cocktails have you covered for Christmas.

The Irish cocktail company’s limited-edition ‘All Wrapped Up’ Christmas line-up includes the Mistletoe Margarita, Festive Old Fashioned and Gingerbread Punch, with retro wrapping paper inspired labels.

Craft Cocktails’ popular personalisation service also allows customers to get creative this Christmas by adding their own message to a bottle. Available exclusively online, with delivery nationwide, it’s a great Secret Santa gift or Christmas card with a difference.

Craft Cocktails are available in a selection of sizes, the small 200ml size serves two, priced at €12.50 it makes an ideal stocking filler. A special 500ml size is available in retail stores only, serving five and priced at €25, it’s perfect to bring to the party! The large 700ml size serves seven and is priced at €35, great for under the tree or sharing in front of the fire.

Follow @irishcraftcocktails on Instagram to be the first to know about news, launches and events.

200 years of Old Comber Whiskey

Comber is Ireland’s only completely single estate pot still whiskey.

From growing and harvesting the barley; to malting, mashing and fermenting the grains; to distilling the new-make spirit, and casking, maturing and bottling the whiskey, Old Comber is produced from field-to-glass at Echlinville, Ireland’s first farm distillery.

One of the original Irish whiskey giants, Old Comber Whiskey was founded in 1825 at the Comber Distilleries in County Down, which were located just ten miles from the brand’s modern-day home at Echlinville.

Comber Distilleries fell silent in 1953 and Old Comber joined the list of Ireland’s ‘lost’ whiskeys. In testament to their continued commitment to put Co. Down back on the world whiskey map, Echlinville revived Old Comber after a 70-year absence.

Matured in American Bourbon casks, finished the Old Comber way in premium Port and Sherry Casks and bottled at 46% abv, Old Comber Single Pot Still Whiskey is back, with the same bold flavour that made it a legend.

A taste of history crafted for the future, Old Comber Single Pot Still is available from The Echlinville Distillery and all good whiskey retailers RRP £57.50.

Jameson reveals fresh new family line-up

Jameson, the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, is proud to reveal its latest evolution of the Jameson family line up. Following the redesign of Jameson Original, the latest pack updates now unfold across super-premium+ whiskeys including renamed Jameson Distiller’s Batch and Jameson Crested. A modern take on whiskeys so distinctive, they must be a Jameson.

The roll out of the Jameson family new look began with Jameson Black Barrel in 2024 which has since experienced double digit growth in the US, followed by Jameson Original in July 2025, drawing Jameson’s most iconic elements into sharper focus, giving them stronger meaning across the range, in partnership with independent brand and design agency JDO. The new portfolio structure encourages loyal fans to explore and trade up, while new recruits are welcomed into a world that feels both familiar and fresh.

It’s now time to introduce Jameson Distiller’s Batch, previously known as Jameson Single Pot Still. This award-winning 4 single pot still liquid remains the same, carefully crafted by master distiller Kevin O’Gorman and masterfully aged in five different types of oak casks hand-selected by the team at Midleton for a whiskey that is equal parts complexity and smoothness. With O’Gorman’s signature featuring proudly on the front, this new elevated pack signals the quality of the liquid inside and celebrates the role of Midleton Distillery’s master distiller in the crafting of Jameson.

Jameson Crested, the well-known and loved tribute blend, now also features a more contemporary design. Elevated premium cues with foiling and embossing reflect the gold standard of liquid inside 5.

The new Jameson Distiller’s Batch and Jameson Crested bottles will begin roll out in Global Travel Retail, Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom from October 2025 before being available in the US and other markets globally in 2026. Explore online at Jameson Distiller’s Batch | Jameson Irish Whiskey.

#Jameson #MustBeAJameson

• 1 According to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025
• 2 IWSR Report
• 3 Jameson Black Barrel growth – USA VIP Depletions R12 2025/August
• 4 Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition & Asia World Spirits Competition, Gold at the International Spirits Competition & Beverage Testing Institute
• 5 Gold at the International Spirits Challenge 2025
• The updated Jameson Distiller’s Batch bottle includes no changes to the liquid

A hug in a glass

There are evenings in this business when the spreadsheets blur, the trend reports pile high, and all you really crave is an Irish coffee that wraps around you like a hug. Comforting. Honest. Made with intention, not ego. That’s the kind of whiskey West Cork Distillers are putting into the world.

In an industry split between the global giants and the hyper-craft, West Cork occupies a rare, steady middle ground. They’re not loud. They’re not chasing trends. They’ve simply arrived at a place where everything comes down to what goes into the bottle — and people across Ireland are starting

You’ll never hear them claim to be better than anyone else. That’s not their way. But you will hear bartenders softly admit that West Cork whiskey stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best in the category.

The reason? Time. Maturation time.

While most Irish whiskey hits the shelf at the legal minimum of three years, West Cork took a different path. These days, they only bottle whiskey that’s been aged for at least five years, a full two years extra in the barrel. It’s not a flashy announcement or a chest-beating claim. It’s simply what they believe makes a whiskey worth pouring.

Because when you take a whiskey that’s been allowed to rest, breathe, deepen… and fold it into a warm Irish coffee on a cold night? You get something elemental. Something that feels like home, even if you’re miles away.

Ireland’s most bewitching Irish whiskey launched in time for Halloween

Kyteler’s Inn, Kilkenny, known for its haunting connection to Ireland’s first condemned witch, has now released a premium Irish whiskey in honour of Ireland’s most bewitching spirit.

Kyteler’s Irish Whiskey, Ireland’s only whiskey to celebrate the legendary tale of Dame Alice Kyteler, a wealthy widowed innkeeper, accused of poisoning her four husbands, has launched as part of the Home of Halloween Festival this October.

A premium blend of Single Malt and Single Pot Still, Kyteler’s Irish Whiskey is matured in ex-bourbon barrels, bottled at 40% ABV and steeped in shadow and intrigue.

In the year 1324 Dame Alice Kyteler of Kilkenny was accused of sorcery, heresy and consorting with demons, in what became the first recorded witch trial in Ireland.

Speaking about the launch of Kyteler’s Irish Whiskey, founder and director JD Flynn, said, “Kilkenny plays such a huge part in Irish distilling history, with the first written account of distilling recorded here in 1324. At that same time, Kilkenny also played host to Ireland’s first witch trial, so it feels fitting to release a whiskey that ties both elements of our storied history together. Kyteler’s Irish whiskey is Ireland’s darkest legend, bottled.”

Now available to buy from Kyteler’s Inn, Kilkenny and in-store and online at the Wine Centre, Kilkenny. RRP €60. https://www.thewinecentre.ie/

Time to paint the town red

Get ready for a game-changer. The Mad Marquess Blended Irish Whiskey is officially launching nationwide in Ireland, riding a wave of consumer frenzy from successful debuts in Florida and the United Kingdom. This energetic, charismatic Irish whiskey brand aims to become the life and soul of the party. The trade has been waiting for, squarely aimed at the social, fun-loving 25-40-year-old market.

The legend behind the bottle is Henry de la Poer Beresford, the 3rd Marquess of Waterford. Forget boring history: this guy literally invented the phrase -a great night out. Back in 1837

an outrageously good time in Melton Mowbray that they ended up grabbing some red paint and painting whatever they could find – giving us the ultimate party slogan: “Paint the Town Red.”

The Mad Marquess offers a serious commercial edge for Irish bars and retailers. Distilled for approachability at the Great Northern Distillery, it’s built for high-volume sales. The RRP is a sharp €29.99, positioning it perfectly as a high-value everyday pour that drives profit.

The flavour profile is designed for fun: an excited nose of pineapple and coconut leads to a sweet, smooth palate of vanilla and caramel. It’s mixable, it’s great in shots, and it’s the perfect alternative to the established players. ‘Paint the town Red’ is a powerful bar call, and with a range of ‘Mad’ cocktails the consumer will be engaged with the theme of having an outrageously good time.

Find out more on www.madmarquess.com. All enquiries to May Stokes, marketing manager may@themadmarquess.com

A rum reimagined in Ireland

Ireland’s reputation for exceptional spirits is world renowned, but it is time for something new to emerge from these shores. Introducing Two Shores Superior Irish Rum, a bold expression of Irish craft inviting drinkers to discover Irish rum for the very first time. Rum is one of the fastest growing spirits categories in the world, yet Ireland has had few locally finished options to date.

Why rum? Driven by a sense of exploration, founder Jason Kidd and his team wanted a spirit that was both new and inherently Irish. Jason first encountered rum during his travels in South America, inspired by its energy, creativity, and possibilities. In 2022, they sampled rums worldwide until discovering their “lucky 14” from Panama. “I knew the second I tasted it that this was the one,” Jason recalls, ready to craft rum reimagined in Ireland. Early premium launches earned widespread acclaim and made Two Shores the most awarded Irish rum brand. That expertise has been applied to a more accessible, versatile expression.

Distilled from 100% pure sugarcane in Panama and finished in Irish casks, Two Shores Superior Irish Rum is where cane meets grain. Naturally sweet and balanced, it is a spirit as it should be, no additives, no colouring, no shortcuts. Just time, wood, and the spirit itself. Thoughtfully crafted and adaptable in cocktails, it lets bars and consumers explore a new category with confidence. Perfect for classic serves like a rum and cola, Two Shores also shines in inventive creations, including the “Double Irish” with Two Shores and cult favourite Cidona, a refreshing pineapple soda drink, or the “Atlantic Storm,” an Irish take on a Dark and Stormy.

With Two Shores, bars and consumers can experience a rum that showcases Irish craftsmanship, introduces customers to a growing global category, and offers a premium option that’s fun to enjoy and share.

Two Shores Superior Irish Rum is distilled in Panama, finished in Ireland, and ready to be discovered.

Christmas at Ahascragh

With the festive season underway, Ahascragh Distillery in East Co. Galway is embracing the occasion with its annual series of thoughtfully assembled Holiday Whiskey and Gin Hampers. Each one showcases spirits from the distillery’s growing award-winning portfolio, Xin Gin, and Clan Colla and UAIS Irish whiskeys — alongside branded glassware, whiskey and gin stones, and a small selection of cocktail essentials.

These luxury holiday hampers appeal to corporate buyers, with their combination of premium Irish spirits and distinct and beautiful bottle design making them a natural fit for client and employee gifting. To support businesses during the season, Ahascragh Distillery also offers 20% off orders of 20 bottles or more.

As Xin Gin and the Clan Colla and UAIS whiskeys continue to earn accolades at home and abroad, attention is now turning to the still-young distillery’s own new-make spirit. With whiskey maturing in cask, anticipation is building for the distillery’s first in-house release in the coming years.

Further details can be found at www.ahascraghdistillery.com