The history of Irish whiskey

The history of Irish whiskey: From glory, fall and rebirth

Did you know that Irish whiskey was once the best-selling whiskey in the world ? That Ireland had over 2,000 distilleries in the 19th century – more than Scotland ever had? And that this success almost completely collapsed within a few decades, until only three distilleries remained?

The history of Irish whiskey is a dramatic rollercoaster ride : from medieval monks through the golden age of the Victorian era, through Prohibition, the War of Independence, and economic collapse – to the spectacular renaissance of the last 20 years . Today, Irish whiskey is experiencing a comeback like no other: over 40 active distilleries (as of 2025) and growth that puts even Scotch whisky in the shade.

In this article you will learn the complete story – from the beginnings to the present day, with all the highs, lows and the people who made Irish whiskey what it is today.

Recommended Irish whiskeys from our range

To complement the history of Irish whiskey, we have selected three outstanding examples for you:

Green Spot - Single Pot Still Whiskey – Classic Irish Single Pot Still in traditional style
Dingle - 10 Years - Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Modern Irish distillery with 10-year maturation
Yellow Spot - 12 Years - Single Pot Still Whiskey – Part of the legendary Spot series, aged for 12 years

The beginnings: Who really invented whiskey?

🍀 The eternal rivalry: Ireland vs. Scotland

The big question: Who invented whiskey – Ireland or Scotland?

The Irish version: Irish monks brought the art of distillation from the Mediterranean region in the 5th-6th centuries . They originally distilled perfume and medicine , but then experimented with barley – and thus invented "Uisce Beatha" (Gaelic: "water of life").

The Scottish version: Scottish monks also learned distillation in the Middle Ages and developed "Uisge Beatha" (Gaelic-Scottish: "water of life") – independently of Ireland.

The truth? Nobody knows for sure! Neither country has any written evidence from that time. The first documented mention of whiskey comes from:

Ireland: 1405 – Annals of Clonmacnoise (Death of a chieftain by "Aqua Vitae")
Scotland: 1494 – Scottish tax records (“Eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor to make aqua vitae”)

Conclusion: Ireland has the oldest written record – but were they really the first? That remains a mystery.

1608-1800: The Birth of Industry

🏭 The world's first licensed distillery

1608: The Old Bushmills Distillery receives the first official license to produce whiskey – from King James I himself. This makes Bushmills the oldest licensed distillery in the world .

However, illegal distillation existed centuries before . Licensing was an attempt by the Crown to collect taxes .

1757: The birth of Jameson

John Jameson , a Scotsman (!), founded the Bow Street Distillery in Dublin. His whiskey quickly became famous for its quality and smoothness – thanks to triple distillation and sherry cask maturation .

Fun Fact: Jameson was originally Scottish, but became the father of Irish whiskey !

1780: The heyday begins

By the end of the 18th century, Ireland already had over 1,200 distilleries – most of them illegal. Dublin became the center of whiskey production, home to some of the world's largest distilleries.

1800-1900: The Golden Age

🏆 Irish Whiskey conquers the world

The 19th century was the golden age of Irish whiskey . Ireland dominated the world market – especially in:

USA: Irish whiskey is the best-selling whiskey
British Empire: Wherever the British are, there is Irish whiskey.
Europe: Paris, London, Berlin – Irish whiskey is a luxury

Dublin's "Big Four"

Four distilleries dominate the industry – all in Dublin :

1. John Jameson & Son (Bow Street)

Ireland's largest distillery
1 million gallons/year
Worldwide export

2. John Power & Son (John's Lane)

Second largest distillery
Famous for "Gold Label"
Innovative (first miniature bottles!)

3. George Roe & Co. (Thomas Street)

Largest distillery in the world (at times!)
2 million gallons/year
Own windmill (still a landmark today)

4. William Jameson (Marrowbone Lane)

cousin of John Jameson
Separate company, same name
High-quality whiskies

Together: These four distilleries produced more whiskey than all of Scotland !

1880: The peak

Impressive figures:

2,000+ distilleries in Ireland (legal + illegal)
Dublin: 37 distilleries in the capital alone
Production: 12 million gallons/year
Export: 70% of production goes abroad
Market share in the USA: 60%+ of all whiskies sold

Irish whiskey was the king of the world.

1900-1920: The Beginning of the End

💔 Five disasters in 20 years

Disaster #1: The Pattison Scandal (1898)

What happened: The Scottish company Pattison Brothers (the largest whisky retailer) went bankrupt – after massive fraud . They had sold inferior whisky as premium.

Consequence for Ireland:

Trust in the whisky industry shaken
Irish distilleries lost millions
Export markets collapsed

Disaster #2: The Temperance Movement (1900-1920)

What happened: The temperance movement gained massive influence in Ireland and the UK. Pubs were closed, and alcohol was demonized.

Consequence:

The domestic market shrank dramatically
Social ostracism of whiskey consumption
Many small distilleries closed.

Disaster #3: The First World War (1914-1918)

What happened:

Barley shortage (rationing for war production)
Labor shortage (men in war)
Export stoppage (ships needed for military use)
Tax increases (war financing)

Consequence:

Production is halved
Many distilleries are closing permanently.
Quality decreases (shorter ripening period)

Disaster #4: Prohibition in the USA (1920-1933)

The death blow: On January 16, 1920, Prohibition came into effect in the USA – alcohol became illegal.

Why was that so bad for Ireland?

The USA was the largest market (60% of exports!)
Overnight: Zero sales from America
Scotland benefited (smugglers preferred Scotch – easier to transport)

Ironically, more whiskey was consumed illegally during Prohibition than ever before – but it was Canadian and Scottish whiskey , not Irish!

Why?

Smugglers preferred Scotch blends (lighter, more consistent, cheaper)
Irish Pot Still Whiskey was too heavy, too expensive, too full of character.
Irish distilleries refused to work with smugglers (principles!).

Result: Ireland lost an entire generation of American drinkers.

Disaster #5: The Irish War of Independence (1919-1921)

What happened: Ireland fought for independence from Great Britain. The war destroyed infrastructure, trade, and the economy.

Follow-up for whiskey:

The British Empire boycotted Irish products
Trade routes collapsed
Distilleries damaged (fighting in Dublin)
Economic isolation

1922: Ireland becomes independent – but the price was high.

1920-1966: The Long Decline

📉 From 2,000 to 3 distilleries

The 1920s-1930s: The Collapse

1920: 30 distilleries still active
1930: Only 10 distilleries left
1940: Only 6 distilleries left

What happened?

Prohibition in the USA (until 1933)
Great Depression (1929)
Trade dispute with the UK (1932-1938)
World War II (1939-1945)

The survivors:

Jameson (Dublin)
Powers (Dublin)
Cork Distilleries (Cork)
Bushmills (Northern Ireland)
Tullamore (Tullamore)
Locke's (Kilbeggan)

1966: The merger – Irish Distillers Group

The last resort: The three largest distilleries (Jameson, Powers, Cork Distilleries) merged to form the Irish Distillers Group .

Why?

Individually they were too weak.
Together they were able to survive
Cost reduction through centralization

1975: All production is moved to the new Midleton Distillery (Cork). The historic distilleries in Dublin are closed .

Result:

Only 2 distilleries left in all of Ireland: Midleton (south) and Bushmills (north)
Only 3 brands of importance remain : Jameson, Powers, Bushmills
Irish Whiskey at its lowest point

Global market share: Under 2% (Scotch: 90%+)

1980-2000: Survival

🌱 The first signs of hope

1988: Pernod Ricard buys Irish Distillers

What happened: The French spirits company Pernod Ricard bought Irish Distillers for £560 million .

Why was that good?

Capital for marketing and expansion
Global distribution network
Professional Management

Focus: Building Jameson as a global premium brand

1989: Cooley Distillery – The Rebellion

John Teeling , an Irish entrepreneur, bought an old potato distillery and converted it into a whiskey distillery .

Why was that revolutionary?

First new distillery in 100 years!
Independent of Irish Distillers
Revival of old styles (e.g. Connemara – peated Irish whiskey!)

Cooley produced:

Connemara (peated – unique to Ireland!)
Tyrconnell (Single Malt)
Kilbeggan (Blended Whiskey)

Significance: Cooley proved that Irish whiskey had a future – even outside of the major corporations.

2000-present: The Renaissance

🚀 The comeback of the century

2000-2010: Jameson explodes

Pernod Ricard's strategy:

Positioning Jameson as a premium lifestyle brand
Massive marketing campaigns (especially in the USA)
Take advantage of cocktail culture (Jameson & Ginger Ale!)

Result:

2000: 2 million bottles/year
2010: 31 million bottles/year
Growth: +1,450% in 10 years!

Jameson became a phenomenon – especially among young drinkers in the USA.

2007: Teeling Whiskey Company

Jack and Stephen Teeling (sons of John Teeling, Cooley founder) founded the Teeling Whiskey Company .

2015: Opening of the first new distillery in Dublin in 125 years!

Significance: Dublin – once the center of the whiskey world – had a distillery again!

2010-2020: The Boom

New distilleries are springing up everywhere:

2014:

Dingle Distillery (Kerry) – craft whiskey pioneer
Echlinville (Northern Ireland)

2015:

Teeling (Dublin)
Dublin Liberties

2016:

Tullamore DEW (new distillery)
Blackwater (Waterford)

2017:

Powerscourt (Wicklow)
Slane (Meath)

2018:

Pearse Lyons (Dublin)
Roe & Co (Dublin – Diageo!)

2019:

Waterford (Waterford – terroir focus!)
Glendalough (Wicklow)

2020-2025:

Over 20 more distilleries have opened or are planned!

As of 2025: Over 40 active distilleries in Ireland – more than ever before in modern history!

The numbers speak for themselves:

Production:

2000: 4 million liters/year
2010: 40 million liters/year
2020: 120 million liters/year
2025: 180+ million liters/year (estimated)

Growth: +4,400% since 2000!

Export:

USA: Largest market (50%+)
Europe: Growing (Germany, France, UK)
Asia: Emerging Market (China, Taiwan)

Global market share:

2000: 2%
2025: 12%+ (and rising!)

What makes Irish whiskey special?

🍀 The differences to Scotch

1. Triple distillation

Irish Whiskey: Usually distilled 3 times
Scotch Whiskey: Usually distilled twice

Effect: Irish whiskey is softer, smoother, lighter

2. Unpeated malt

Irish Whiskey: Traditionally unpeated (exception: Connemara)
Scotch Whiskey: Often peated (especially Islay)

Effect: Irish whiskey is fruitier, less smoky.

3. Single Pot Still Whiskey

Unique to Ireland: a mixture of malted and unmalted barley brewed in pot stills

Character: Spicy, oily, complex – only in Ireland!

Examples: Redbreast, Green Spot, Yellow Spot

4. Spelling: Whiskey vs. Whiskey

Ireland: Whiskey (with an "e")
Scotland: Whisky (without "e")

Why? Historically, Irish distilleries wanted to differentiate themselves from Scottish whisky (emphasizing the difference in quality).

The most important Irish whiskey brands today

🥃 The Big Ones

1. Jameson (Pernod Ricard)

Market leader (70%+ of the Irish whiskey market)
Production: 100+ million bottles/year
Style: Smooth, approachable, triple distilled
Price: €25-35

2. Bushmills (Proximo Spirits)

Oldest licensed distillery (since 1608)
Style: Fruitier, maltier than Jameson
Special feature: The only distillery in Northern Ireland
Price: €25-40

3. Tullamore DEW (William Grant & Sons)

Third largest brand
Style: Balanced, honey-rich
Special feature: New distillery (2014)
Price: €25-30

4. Redbreast (Irish Distillers/Pernod Ricard)

Premium Single Pot Still
Style: Spicy, complex, sherry influence
Cult status among connoisseurs
Price: €50-150 (depending on age)

5. Teeling (Teeling Whiskey Company)

Craft whiskey pioneer
Style: Innovative, experimental
Special feature: First new Dublin distillery in 125 years
Price: €35-80

🌟 The rising stars

6. Dingle (Dingle Distillery)

Craft whiskey from Kerry
Style: Fruity, complex, single malt
Special feature: Small batches, high quality
Price: €60-100

7. Waterford (Waterford Distillery)

Terroir-focused (like wine!)
Founder: Mark Reynier (formerly Bruichladdich)
Style: Single Farm Origin – each bottle comes from one farm
Price: €70-120

8. Green Spot / Yellow Spot (Irish Distillers)

Single Pot Still Whiskey
Style: Spicy, fruity, complex
Cult status worldwide
Price: €50-150

The future: Where is the journey headed?

🔮 Trends & Forecasts

1. Further growth

Forecast: Irish whiskey will grow by another 50-70% by 2030 .

Reasons:

The US market continues to grow
Asia discovers Irish whiskey
The premium segment is booming (Redbreast, Teeling, etc.)

2. Craft Distilleries

Over 20 new distilleries are planned or under construction (as of 2025).

Trend: Small, independent distilleries with a focus on quality and innovation .

3. Terroir & Single Farm

Waterford set the trend: terroir-focused whiskey (like wine).

Future: More distilleries will emphasize single farm origin and transparency .

4. Experimental barrel aging

Trend: Innovative barrel finishes (rum, tequila, wine, beer barrels)

Examples:

Teeling: Rum Cask, Wine Cask
Dingle: Port Cask, Sherry Cask
Jameson: Caskmates (Stout & IPA Cask)

5. Return to Dublin

Dublin was once the center – and will be again:

Teeling (2015)
Pearse Lyons (2018)
Roe & Co (2019)
Dublin Liberties (planned)

Vision: Dublin as a whiskey tourism destination (like Edinburgh for Scotch).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Irish Whiskey spelled with an "e"?
Historically, Irish distilleries wanted to differentiate themselves from Scottish whisky and emphasize quality. The "e" became their trademark.

Is Irish whiskey always triple distilled?
Usually, but not always. Cooley (Connemara) distills twice. Triple distillation is traditional , not mandatory.

Why is Irish whiskey smoother than Scotch?
Triple distillation + unpeated malt = softer, smoother character.

What is Single Pot Still Whiskey?
Unique to Ireland: a blend of malted and unmalted barley, distilled in pot stills. Spicy, oily, complex.

Which Irish whiskey is best for beginners?
Jameson (approachable, smooth) or Tullamore DEW (honey-rich, balanced).

Which Irish whiskey is for connoisseurs?
Redbreast 12 (Single Pot Still, complex) or Green Spot (spicy, fruity).

Conclusion: From ashes to phoenix

The story of Irish whiskey is one of the most dramatic stories in the spirits world : from world market leader to near-total collapse to spectacular renaissance .

What we learn:

✨ Quality prevails – Irish whiskey is back because it's good
💪 Resilience pays off – Ireland never gave up
🚀 Innovation drives growth – craft distilleries revitalize the industry
🍀 Tradition + Modernity – Irish Whiskey honors its roots, but looks to the future

Today, Irish whiskey has a golden future – with over 40 distilleries, explosive growth and a new generation of whiskey lovers worldwide.

🍀 Discover Irish whiskey in the Whisky Quarter – from Jameson to Redbreast!

Other articles that might interest you:

About the author:
The Whiskyquartier team is fascinated by the history of whisky – especially the incredible comeback story of Irish whiskey. We curate the best Irish whiskeys for you.

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