Scotch whiskey has long dominated Indian home bars. However, Irish whiskey is now also experiencing a massive revival among Indian drinkers, especially among those who appreciate its distinctive triple-distilled smoothness and approachable flavor profiles. If you are looking for good Irish whiskey, $60 or INR 5,500 to INR 6,000 is a comfortable budget to have. With this budget, you can easily find good bottles of high-quality single malt whiskey and single pot still expressions. Here is an expert unsobered guide detailing a few outstanding Irish whiskeys available under the $60 mark, along with their distinctive style, tasting notes, distillery heritage, and average city retail pricing.
Before we look at some excellent Irish whiskey, it's important to understand the characteristics that set it apart from other whiskeys. Following are a few things that make Irish whiskey different from a Scotch or a bourbon:
Triple Distillation As Opposed To Double Distillation: Irish whiskeys are typically distilled three times in copper pot stills as opposed to twice in Scotland. This results in a lighter, smoother, and less peaty liquid.
Base Is Unpeated Malted Barley: Traditional Irish whiskey lets the natural fruitiness and honeyed sweetness of the grain shine. But this isn’t the case with classic peated Scotch.
Distinctive Irish Single Pot Still Style: This is a uniquely Irish style of distilling whiskey. The distiller combines both malted and unmalted barley in the mash bill. Doing this gives the whiskey a distinctive spicy, creamy texture.
Also Read: Why Is Jameson So Popular In India? What Makes The Irish Whiskey Different
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Jameson Black Barrel is a major step up from standard Jameson. It offers heavy bourbon-cask richness while staying well under the budget limit. It has a rich vanilla taste with notes of butterscotch, toasted wood, and a warm, nutty spice finish. This blended whiskey is also aged in a double-charred barrel.
Estimated Cost: Around $45 to $55 (INR 3,800 to INR 4,600 INR for 750ml)
A 100 percent single malt Irish whiskey, it has notes of fresh honey, vanilla, milk chocolate, and bright orchard fruits such as apple and pear. The Old Bushmills Distillery is often claimed to be the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, and as such, it is the ultimate gateway to single malts under $60.
Estimated Cost: Around $53 to $60 (INR 4,500 to INR 5,200 INR for 750ml)
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey has a rum-cask-finished grain and a malt blend. It has notes of tropical dried fruit, subtle cinnamon spice, creamy vanilla, and a warm rum sweetness. What is more, it represents a modern Dublin distilling innovation. The malt is finished in Central American rum casks for an adventurous twist.
Estimated Cost: Around $50 to $57 (INR 4,200 to INR 4,800 INR for 750ml)
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Instantly recognizable by its hexagonal black bottle, Sexton Single Malt offers incredible sherry-cask complexity at a budget price point. It is 100 percent Irish Single Malt that has been aged in Oloroso Sherry casks. This particular whiskey has notes of dried fruit, honeycomb, rich dark chocolate, and subtle oak spice.
Estimated Cost: Around $47 to $55 (INR 4,000 to INR 4,700 INR for 750ml)
Tullamore D.E.W. is an ultra-smooth, crowd-pleasing pour that elevates casual weekend sipping. It is triple-distilled, triple-blended, including grain, malt, and pot still, and finished in Demerara rum casks. The tasting notes include Ripe banana, caramel, raisins, and sweet oak.
Estimated Cost: Around $41 to $50 (INR 3,500 to INR 4,200 INR for 750ml)
This classic grain and single malt blend has been aged in bourbon barrels. It is highly approachable, easy-mixing, and versatile for cocktails or highballs. Tasting notes include orchard fruit, vanilla, honey, and subtle white pepper.
Estimated Cost: Around $38 to $45 (INR 3,200 to INR 3,800 INR for 750ml)
Kilbeggan Traditional Irish Whiskey offers a classic, nostalgic Irish character at an entry-level price point. It is a traditional double-blend from Ireland’s oldest continually operating pot still distillery and has notes of sweet grain, toasted hazelnut, vanilla, and a dry oak finish.
Estimated Cost: Around $35 to $42 (INR 3,000 to INR 3,600 INR for 750ml)
Also Read: 7 Best Whiskey Cocktails For Beginners
There are a plethora of options for those looking for quality Irish whiskey under $60. You don’t have to resort to simple mixing whiskies; you will easily find quality single malts that have a sherry finish as well as rum cask blends. Irish distilling has evolved significantly, and any whiskey enthusiast would be remiss if they do not give its myriad expressions a try.
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