Celebrating the best of Irish whiskey

Now in its 11th year, the Irish Whiskey Awards are an important day in the calendar for so many whiskey producers across the county. The awards span 23 categoies across Irish whiskey and spirits

The 2024 Irish Whiskey Awards took place at the Hinch Distillery in Co. Down last November. The evening commenced with a tour of the distillery and a drinks reception hosted by the Hinch Distillery team. Keynote speaker, Lora Hemy, master distiller at Roe & Co Distillery in Dublin, presented the awards which are now in their 11th year and span 23 categories across Irish whiskeys and spirits, to a host of emerging and established Irish whiskey producers. Judging of this year’s awards took place earlier this July and August where organisers, Celtic Whiskey of Celtic Whiskey Shop Dawson Street, hosted several blind tastings in Dublin’s Doyle’s Corner, and have been coordinating other tastings throughout Ireland with members of the Irish Whiskey Society – Dublin and Dingle, Cork Whiskey Society, Waterford Whiskey Society, Kilkenny Whiskey Guild, Ennis Whiskey Club, 1875 Whiskey Club, Carlow Whiskey Society, Belfast Whiskey Club, Louth Whiskey Society, Skerries Whiskey Society and the Aviator’s Whiskey Society. The Irish craft spirits and liqueurs were blind tasted by a panel of mixologists and bartenders in September, hosted by Bar 1661 in Dublin.
The coveted Best Irish Whiskey of the Year prize was awarded to Dunvilles Palo Cortado 21 Year Old. This whiskey also picked up the Irish Whiskey of the Year prize in the 2022 Irish Whiskey Awards hosted in Pearse Lyons Distillery.
Commenting on the awards, organiser Ally Alpine, managing director of Celtic Whiskey Shop and organiser of Whiskey Live Dublin said, “We are very excited to be able to co-host this year’s awards at Hinch Distillery. The IWA’s are always a fantastic night celebrating the excellence and innovation in the Irish Whiskey and Spirits industry, all whilst raising funds for our incredible charity partner Mary’s Meals. There are more than 64 million primary school-age children out of school around the world. In order to survive, they have to work or beg. Even if they do make it into the classroom, hunger affects their ability to learn. The money raised through the Irish Whiskey Awards each year ensures that approximately 700 children are fed for a whole school year at the Kapatamoyo school in Zambia”.
The events charity partner, Mary’s Meals — www.marysmeals.ie — feeds two million children everyday whilst ensuring they attend school. Tickets for the awards were priced at €70 and all proceeds from the night were donated to sponsor the Kapatomoyo School in Zambia. Key sponsors of this year’s event included the Irish Whiskey Association and Tuath Irish Whiskey Glass.

Simply Ireland’s best whiskey

Dunville’s wins Ireland’s Best Whiskey title for the second time

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey picked up the coveted Whiskey of the Year title at the Irish Whiskey Awards with its 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Whiskey being named Ireland’s best whiskey.
The overall award was one of 11 wins for The Echlinville Distillery, making it the biggest winner of the night at Irish Whiskey’s most prestigious awards evening. Echlinville are custodians of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, an iconic heritage brand revived by Echlinville after an 80 year hiatus.
This is the second time Dunville’s has secured the title of Ireland’s Best Whiskey, having first won the top award in 2022.
Jarlath Watson from The Echlinville Distillery said: “This is a huge accolade that further cements Dunville’s place among the world’s best whiskeys and our place as the home of exceptional sherry cask finishes.
“To have won the Whiskey of The Year title for the second time in three years is a phenomenal achievement and is testament to the hard work and commitment of the whole Echlinville team.
“For more than a decade, we have been working hard to restore Dunville’s to its rightful place among the top tier of world whiskeys, with a series of exceptional releases that have earned Dunville’s and Echlinville an ever-increasing global following.
“This has been a huge year for The Echlinville Distillery, which saw the inaugural release of our single estate Echlinville Whiskey. As we move in to 2025 with Irish whiskey’s top award, we look ahead with big plans for Dunville’s, Echlinville Whiskey and our Old Comber Pot Still Whiskey.”
Alongside the overall ‘Ireland’s Best’ title, Dunville’s picked up eight other awards including five category wins.
From the brand’s core range, Dunville’s PX 10 Year Old Single Malt winning Best Irish Single Malt 11 Years & Younger, while Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Cask Finish winning Best Blended Whiskey No Age Statement.
There were also wins for whiskeys from Dunville’s famous Single Cask Series, including exclusive collaborations with The Palace Bar, Waterford Whiskey Society and Stories & Sips.
Jarlath continued: “The Irish Whiskey Awards are particularly special to us as they are judged by members of whiskey clubs and societies the length and breadth of Ireland. It is an honour to be recognised by our friends and colleagues within the Irish whiskey family. It is peer recognition at the highest level, and that is invaluable.”
Alongside a total of nine awards for Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, Echlinville also picked up gold medals for its Weavers Gin and Weavers Vodka.
Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is available to the trade from Barry & Fitzwilliam, Celtic Whiskey Shop, Drinks Genius and J&C Kenny. Enquiries to sales@echlinville.com or call The Echlinville Distillery on 0044 28 4273 8597.

All Heart

This award-winning expression is an Irish Single Malt that is distilled from a mash of 100% malted barley and then aged between 10 and 14 years in ex bourbon barrels made from American Oak before being finished in freshly seasoned Malaga wine casks. This is a quintessential Irish Single Malt with its distinct malty and orchard fruit character. With the Malaga wine cask finish adding elegant, sweet vanilla, honey and redberry fruits. This delicious whiskey is bottled at 43% and has an RRP of €99. Keepers Heart is proudly distributed in Ireland by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Ireland’s top new whiskey

It’s official: Powerscourt Distillery’s Fercullen Single Malt Whiskey has cemented its place among Ireland’s finest spirits! This extraordinary single malt, crafted entirely at the Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow, was crowned Best New Irish Whiskey at the prestigious Irish Whiskey Awards 2024, held at Hinch Distillery in County Down.
First released in April 2023, Fercullen Single Malt has been celebrated for its exceptional quality and historic significance – it’s the first whiskey distilled in County Wicklow in over a century. Made with 100% malt and distilled exclusively on the Powerscourt Estate, this award-winning whiskey captures the essence of Wicklow’s rich heritage in every sip.
Fercullen Single Malt has wowed both critics and connoisseurs alike. At the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London, it received a Gold Outstanding Award with an impressive 98 points—the highest score ever awarded to a new Irish whiskey.
John Cashman, head of Brand at Powerscourt Distillery, reflected on the triumph: “We are incredibly proud of all our Fercullen whiskeys, but from the very first tasting, we knew our Fercullen Single Malt was something extraordinary. It’s a milestone for Powerscourt Distillery, distilled and matured completely on-site, and a true representation of Wicklow’s spirit.”
Master distiller Paul Corbett, the talent behind the whiskey, shared his gratitude:
“It’s an immense honour to receive this recognition from The Irish Whiskey Awards. Judged by whiskey enthusiasts across Ireland, this award affirms our dedication to excellence. We’re thrilled to share this achievement with our amazing team and loyal supporters.”
Fercullen Single Malt Whiskey is available at an RRP of €55, distributed by Barry & Fitzwilliam in most retail outlets and or directly from Powerscourt Distillery’s e-store. Visit www.powerscourtdistillery.com to explore this remarkable whiskey.
Powerscourt Distillery is a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art whiskey distillery and contemporary visitor centre in the Old Mill House on Powerscourt Estate. With the first production of new make spirit in June 2018, the visitor centre opened its doors in May 2019, offering a delicious insight into a brand fully operational whiskey distillery.
The Powerscourt Distillery Fercullen Irish Whiskey range of award-winning, premium Irish whiskeys includes: Fercullen Falls, Fercullen Single Malt, Fercullen 15, Fercullen 21-Year-Old Single Malt Whiskey, Estate Series 2 “The Italian Gardens”, Estate Series 3 “The Gates” are available to purchase at www.powerscourtdistillery.com and selected outlets countrywide please check the website for further details.

Making waves in the whiskey world

Glendalough Distillery continues to make waves in the Irish whiskey world, securing yet another Gold Medal for its acclaimed Double Barrel Irish Whiskey at the 2024 Irish Whiskey Awards. This award cements Double Barrel’s status as a standout single grain whiskey, celebrated for its exceptional balance, depth, and smooth complexity.
Matured first in flame-charred ex- bourbon American Oak casks before a refined finish in Oloroso casks from Montilla, Spain. Glendalough Double Barrel offers a harmonious blend of vanilla sweetness, dark fruit richness, and warm spice. Its consistent recognition on the world stage underscores Glendalough’s dedication to craftsmanship and innovation, reinforcing its place among Ireland’s top distilleries.
As a result of the increased demand, Glendalough decided to launch a bold new expression of Double Barrel—Double Barrel Cask Strength, a limited-edition release at 61.3% ABV. This exciting new release features liquid that is bottled straight from the cask, to deliver an intensified version of Double Barrel’s signature notes of cherries, nutmeg, and peppercorn. To deliver a rich and full-bodied experience for those seeking an elevated dram. For the perfect serve, enjoy Glendalough Double Barrel in an Irish Coffee, where its smooth, layered character brings a rich depth to this classic serve.
With this latest gold medal win and the release of Double Barrel Cask Strength, Glendalough Distillery continues to set the standard for premium Irish whiskey. Keep an eye out for this limited-edition release at select retailers and online—an essential addition for whiskey lovers and collectors alike.

Irresistible

Single Pot Still 11 Years & Younger winner was Redbreast PX Iberian Series Redbreast PX Iberian Series captured the top spot in this category with its exceptional balance of rich, sherry-influenced sweetness and traditional pot still spices. Matured in Pedro Ximénez casks, this expression offers a luscious, velvety finish that whiskey lovers can’t resist. Available nation wide RRP €95.00

Going for gold

The Busker has just taken home four gold awards from the Irish Whiskey Awards 2024. The Busker Single Pot Still and the Busker Single Malt both won gold for Irish Single Cask, 11 years and Younger. The Busker Triple Cask won gold for the best Blended Irish Whiskey under €50. And a future addition to the range, the Busker Small Batch Single Malt won gold for the best Irish Single Malt, 11 years & younger, under €60.
The Busker Single Pot Still is a distinctive expression to Ireland, created to bring you on a journey of exceptional character. Distilled in single pot stills and aged in both bourbon and sherry casks. On the nose, you experience rich complex notes of honey, oak, fudge, clove oil, sometimes perfumed fresh flowers too. Taste buds kick off with some beautiful deep and intense rich spiciness with peppery notes and hints of vanilla and toffee fudge. Concluding with a long warm spicy finish.
The outstanding Single Malt matured in two different woods to bring you a complexity that is waiting to be experienced. Notes of fruit meet floral elderflower as the taste opens with intense richness, landing to a sweet chocolate note.
The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth, helps you discover a new you with a combination three of the best whiskey styles that Ireland has to offer. Begin your journey with some rich tropical fruits and sweet vanilla notes as the taste buds begin to experience that beautiful malt, capping it all off with a superbly balanced mouth sweetness that begs for more.
The Busker Single Pot Still recently also won gold at the Blás na hEireann Awards 2024. The Busker, produced at Royal Oak Distillery has also taken home gold for Best Producer in County Carlow.
The Busker is proudly distributed in Ireland by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Feeing the whiskey love

Egan’s Irish Whiskey received some fantastic news from the 2024 Irish Whiskey Awards, taking home two top awards!
Egan’s Fortitude stole the show for the brand winning Overall Best Single Malt Whiskey 11 Years Old and Younger (Under €60) and Egan’s Endeavour also won gold in the same category!
It capped off a fantastic year for the brand that continues to grow at rapid pace in global markets such as Japan, Australia and the US.
Egan’s Irish whiskey was founded in the 1800s by Patrick Egan. In 1835. His two sons Patrick and Henry established P. & H. Egan Limited which grew to be a respected business in Tullamore. The business was family-run for four generations, until the Egan family voluntarily closed the business in 1968 due to the severe market conditions at the time in Ireland.
However, in 2013, the Egan family (Rupert , Jonny and Maurice Egan) resurrected the brand. P&H Egan’s Limited was reformed and multiple expressions have been launched since including the two winning whiskeys from the 2024 awards plus Egan’s 10 YO Conviction, Egan’s Legacy Reserve and Egan’s Bonders Blend amongst others.
The brand is distributed globally by Intrepid Spirits, based in Dublin.