Skip The Jameson And Try Our Picks For Irish Whiskey

By Amy Cavanaugh in Food on Mar 16, 2013 3:00PM

The Chicagoist food staff doesn't always agree, but we are united on one thing—Jameson is gross. So if you're out celebrating St. Patrick's Day this weekend and want to imbibe something Irish that isn't Guinness, we've made a handy guide to which Irish whiskies you should drink.

Some of these will be harder to find out at bars than others, but we made sure that everything is available at Binny's.

• Redbreast 12-Year

Redbreast is most widely available in the 12-year bottling, though sometimes you can find 15-year or the truly excellent 12-year cask strength. The 12-year is spicy and toasty, with notes of sherry, while the cask strength adds oakiness and fruit. — Amy Cavanaugh

• Michael Collins

Michael Collins is made by an independent, Irish-owned distiller. Offerings are a blended Irish whiskey and a 10-year malt, both of which are readily available. Try the Irish whiskey, which is fruity and gentle, and a great introduction to the spirit. — Amy Cavanaugh

• Tullamore Dew 10-Year-Old Reserve

Several staffers also recommended Tullamore Dew and the 10-year-old Reserve is aged in Spanish and American oak casks. It has notes of honey, wood, and vanilla, so it's a sweeter option that I could sip on for ages. At Binny's, pick up the 12-year, which has spices, citrus notes, and a clean finish. — Amy Cavanaugh

• Midleton Very Rare

If you want to go all out, get Midleton Very Rare, which costs $140 a bottle. This stuff is delicious—it tastes like toffee candy and butter and smells like fruits and nuts. You'll practically want to pour it over your cereal. — Amy Cavanaugh

• The Irishman

Their entry level is wonderfully complex and costs about the same as Jameson, their mid-level Single Malt is super smooth and drinks closer to Scotch than Irish whiskey, and the Rare Cask Strength is limited, expensive, but absolutely incredible. If you blind tasted it, you would probably guess it was more of a Speyside Scotch or something of the sort, and be shocked when someone told you it was from Ireland. — Jason Baldacci

• KIlbeggan

A smooth, blended whiskey, Kilbeggan is very easy to drink. It's light and honeyed, but anise and salinity give it depth. — Amy Cavanaugh

• Powers

And if you must take a shot?

I'd take a shot of Powers over Jameson any day of the week. More character, and it's usually cheaper in most bars. — Jason Baldacci