Born in the USA

In 2023, the whiskey market in the United States was worth $18.6 billion US dollars making the US the second-largest whiskey market in the world, trailing only India. Drinks Industry Ireland looks at the American whiskey brands making their mark in the Irish market

Undoubtedly, the most common type of American Whiskey is bourbon but rye whiskey, malt whiskey and Tennessee whiskey also are a large component of the American whiskey sector.
In 2018, the American whiskey market suffered a hard blow when the EU and the United Kingdom imposed import taxes on a wide range of US products, including whiskeys, after the United States introduced tariffs of 25% on EU steel and 10% on EU aluminium. The trade dispute hit US spirits exports hard and resulted in market share loss for American whiskeys such as Tennessee whiskey, bourbon, American rye whiskey and American single malt in some of the largest export markets.
However, a tariff suspension in 2022 helped US spirits sales recover with American whiskey exports to the EU increasing by 29% compared with the previous year, reaching US$556 million. This accounted for 44% of all American whiskey exports.
In December 2023, the EU and US decided to extend the tariff suspension until March 2025. However, if no agreement is reached during the extension period, the EU is expected to double its tariff on American whiskeys to 50% so this time next year, it could be a very different story.
Eric Gregory, Kentucky Distillers Association president said: “We strongly urge EU and US officials to permanently end the tariffs sooner than later. Our signature industry has worked hard to recover and regain footing from the last short-term suspension of tariffs. As Bourbon takes years of ageing to perfect, a permanent solution will bring certainty to our distillers as they look to continued growth and investments in international markets.”

Exceptional craftsmanship

Keeper’s Heart Irish American Whiskey is thrilled to announce that its 10-year-old Irish single malt whiskey has been awarded the prestigious title of “Best in Class – Irish Whiskey” at the renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the oldest, largest, and most prestigious spirits competition in the world.
Crafted under the expert guidance of legendary Irish distiller Brian Nation, the 10-year-old expression captivated the judges with its unparalleled quality and complex taste profile. Aged to perfection for a decade at Great Northern Distilling, this extraordinary whiskey was meticulously finished in Malaga wine casks, resulting in a unique and exquisite flavour profile that marries notes of stone fruits and marzipan with the traditional malty character.

This impressive victory follows on the heels of Keeper’s Heart Irish + American Whiskey being the most-awarded new whiskey of 2022, further solidifying the brand’s growing reputation for excellence and innovation in the industry.
Brian Nation said about this momentous win, “It is an immense honour to receive this recognition from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Our team at Keeper’s Heart is dedicated to producing whiskies of the highest calibre, and we are delighted that our 10-year-old expression has resonated so strongly with the esteemed judges.”
In celebration of this accolade, Keeper’s Heart is excited to announce that the 10-year-old Irish single malt whiskey will be made available to consumers in Ireland later this year. Whiskey enthusiasts across the country will have the opportunity to savour the exceptional craftsmanship and distinctive flavours of this award-winning spirit. Proudly distributed by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Best of the best

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Michter’s celebrates an extraordinarily rich heritage that traces back to 1753. The Michter’s team spares no expense in its efforts to produce the greatest American whiskey possible. Tremendous attention is given to every step in the production process, including details like yeast selection; fermentation temperatures; distillation; wood selection and drying of staves; toasting and/or charring barrels; barrelling proof; temperature and airflow conditions in the barrel rickhouse; identifying the peak maturation for bottling; and filtration protocol. Proclaimed “Best American Whiskey” by Food and Wine, “Spectacular” by Robert Parker, “Magnificent” by F. Paul Pacult, “Whisky of the Year” by The Whisky Exchange, “Best of the Best” by Robb Report, and “Distiller of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast, Michter’s has been recognised by whiskey connoisseurs as truly extraordinary.

The most awarded rye whiskey maker in the world

Ever since its founding in 2007, Whistlepig has been reinventing rye whiskey from a farm in Vermont. Protecting what makes rye whiskey great, tossing out the rest and innovating to make it better – that ethos without compromise has made the house the most awarded rye whiskey maker in the world.
10-Year -Old: The whiskey that started the WhistlePig adventure. This multi-award-winning 10-year-old rye is the result of a timely discovery of a stock of aged blending whiskey – and a mission to reinvent it. Aged anew in American oak at WhistlePig’s Vermont farm, before being hand-bottled on-site, it encapsulates the spirit of WhistlePig: bold and fearless in its pursuit of new rye whiskey hights.
12-Year-Old: A marriage of American craft distilling and old-world cask ageing, WhistlePig’s 12-year-old rye owes its complex nature to the spirit of experimentation, and to the essence of European wines.
Born from the idea that a whole can be greater than the sum of its parts, a trio of casks – port, sauternes and madeira – add their own distinctive flavour to the rye. Like sections of a symphony, each finish delivers unique character to the final whiskey.
15-Year-Old: WhistlePig’s 15 Year Straight Rye is one of the oldest whiskeys bottled at the farm and one of the first to be finished in Vermont Estate Oak. The three year Vermont Estate Oak finish gives the liquid time to deepen flavors and acquire an ascertiveness and wiseness that go beyond the 15 year age statement. With 97 Points from Wine Enthusiast, this is one of the highest rated Rye Whiskeys of all times.

Premium Tennessee whiskey

A warm amber colour with aromas of sweet vanilla, this is a smooth, full-bodied whiskey, with flavours of orange, brown sugar and spice, and a long rich finish.
Jack Daniel registered his distillery in 1866, making it the oldest registered distillery in the United States. It’s in Lynchburg that every drop of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is still produced and bottled today.
During its 150 year history, Jack Daniel’s has won numerous gold medals around the world. Its success can be put down to the unique way in which the famous ‘Old No.7’ brand is made, the same way it always has – using the finest corn, rye and barley malt. Pure, iron-free water from the cave spring in the distillery hollow, being mellowed through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal; and aged in hand-crafted charred oak barrels.
It is this unique way of making whiskey and the extra steps such as charcoal mellowing that makes Jack Daniel’s what it is – a smooth-sipping Tennessee whiskey and not a bourbon. n