Top 9 most expensive Irish whiskeys in the world

They are snapped up by collectors at exorbitant prices. Discover the most expensive "made in Ireland" beverages!

Gwen Rouviere
by Gwen Le Cointre
20 November 2023, 02:42
Top 9 most expensive Irish whiskeys in the world
Irish whiskeys - © Anoo

Ireland’s rich and diverse whiskey scene has always attracted the interest of spirits lovers and connoisseurs the world over. Among this variety, one particular category attracts special attention: the most expensive Irish whiskies. These whiskies, by virtue of their rarity, quality and history, are not just drinks, but true works of liquid art, witnesses to Irish history and culture. If you’re curious, here’s a look at the world’s most expensive Irish whiskeys!

1. The Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery – €50,000

The Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery

The Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery

The Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection represents a remarkable series of Irish whiskies from the Midleton distillery in County Cork. This collection is special because of its link with a “Silent Distillery”, a distillery that once ceased to operate, reflecting a time when many distilleries in Ireland were forced to close.

The whiskies in this collection are distinguished by their rarity and exclusivity, due to their ultra-limited production and their association with a historic heritage.

Their prolonged aging contributes to an exceptional complexity and depth of flavor, making them highly prized among connoisseurs and collectors. Each edition of the collection is limited, which not only increases its value but also its appeal as a collector’s item.

These bottles often fetch high prices, up to €50,000, reflecting their rarity and quality. Their reputation for excellence and their link to Ireland’s distilling history make them attractive not only as high-quality drinks, but also as investments for collectors, with the potential to appreciate significantly in value over time.

In short, the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection embodies the excellence of Irish whisky and represents an important part of Ireland’s distilling history. These bottles are much more than just spirits; they are witnesses to Irish history and tradition.

2. Le Teeling 34-Year-Old Vintage Reserve – €4,500

Teeling 34-Year-Old Vintage Reserve

Teeling 34-Year-Old Vintage Reserve

Teeling 34-Year-Old Vintage Reserve is an exceptional Irish whiskey, known as one of the oldest single-grain whiskies ever bottled in Ireland. This expression illustrates the expertise and innovation of the Dublin-based Teeling distillery, which has earned a reputation for its superior whiskies and innovative production methods.

This whiskey has been aged for 34 years, a process that gives it exceptional richness and complexity of flavor. Over the course of its long aging, it has developed deep, nuanced flavors, with notes of fruit, spice, caramel and wood. Prolonged aging also contributes to its smooth, velvety texture, making each sip rich and satisfying.

The Teeling 34-Year-Old Vintage Reserve is also remarkable for its unique character. The Teeling distillery is known for experimenting with different types of cask for aging, which can add extra dimensions of flavor to whiskey. Each bottle in this limited edition reflects a blend of innovation and tradition, offering a tasting experience that is both classic and distinctively modern.

In terms of presentation, Teeling 34-Year-Old Vintage Reserve is often bottled and presented in a way that reflects its luxury status. It is generally highly prized by collectors and whiskey lovers for its rarity, exceptional quality and history.

3. The Knappogue Castle 1951 – €1850

Knappogue Castle 1951 is an exceptional Irish whiskey and one of the oldest single malt whiskies on the market. It takes its name from Knappogue Castle in Ireland’s County Clare, a place rich in history and tradition.

Produced in the 1950s, Knappogue Castle 1951 represents a bygone era in Irish whiskey production. This whiskey was distilled at a time when traditional distillation methods were still predominant, giving it a unique character and flavor profile. After distillation, it was aged for several decades, developing exceptional complexity and depth of flavor. The long years spent in casks have imbued the whiskey with rich, nuanced notes, with aromas of dried fruit, leather, tobacco and wood, as well as a characteristic sweetness.

Knappogue Castle 1951 is also known for its exclusivity and rarity. As a whiskey of such age and quality, it is highly sought-after by collectors and whiskey lovers the world over. Its packaging and presentation often reflect its exceptional status, with bottles and labels designed to highlight its heritage and prestige.

4. The Redbreast 27 Year Old – €500

Redbreast 27 Year Old

Redbreast 27 Year Old

Redbreast 27 Year Old is a renowned Irish whiskey, part of the famous Redbreast range, renowned for its exceptional whiskies. Its 27-year aging process gives it remarkable complexity and depth of flavor. The maturity acquired over the years translates into a rich, nuanced taste profile.

This whiskey is also known for its unique aging process, which involves the use of sherry and bourbon casks, enriching its character with notes of fruit, spice and wood. Redbreast 27 Year Old is distinguished by its balance of sweetness, spice and a touch of oak, offering a rich and satisfying tasting experience.

In terms of recognition, Redbreast 27 Year Old is highly regarded by whiskey lovers for its exceptional quality. It is often celebrated for its complex flavor profile and long, elegant finish. This whiskey is not just a drink, but a work of liquid art, representing the skills and traditions of Irish distilling.

5. Dunville’s VR 18-Year-Old Port Mourant Rum Finish – €350

Dunville's VR 18-Year-Old Port Mourant Rum Finish

Dunville’s VR 18-Year-Old Port Mourant Rum Finish

Dunville’s VR 18-Year-Old Port Mourant Rum Finish is an Irish whiskey distinguished by its unique finishing process and complex flavor profile. From the historic Dunville’s brand, renowned for its quality whiskies and innovative methods, this whiskey has benefited from 18 years’ aging, enabling it to develop a characteristic richness and smoothness.

What makes Dunville’s VR 18-Year-Old particularly special is that it is finished in casks that previously contained Port Mourant rum. This technique gives whiskey exotic notes and extra richness, with aromas of tropical fruits, sweet spices and a molasses-like sweetness typical of rum.

The presentation of this whiskey reflects its contents: elegant and meticulous, highlighting its age and unique character. In the world of spirits, Dunville’s VR 18-Year-Old is widely appreciated for its innovative approach, skilfully fusing the traditional flavours of Irish whiskey with exotic rum influences.

6. Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach – €300

Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach

Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach

Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach is an exceptional and unique Irish whiskey, part of the prestigious Midleton Very Rare range. The name “Dair Ghaelach” means “Irish Oak” in Gaelic, and this whiskey is remarkable for being finished in Irish oak casks, an uncommon feature in whiskey production.

The process of creating Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach begins with classic aging in bourbon and sherry casks, after which the whiskey is transferred to carefully selected Irish oak barrels. These casks are made from oak grown in Ireland, adding a local and traditional dimension to the whiskey. Irish oak imbues the spirit with distinctive notes, bringing unique aromas and flavors that can’t be achieved with other types of wood.

The flavor profile of Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach is therefore profoundly influenced by this Irish oak finish. Tasters often note nuances of vanilla, caramel and spice, as well as hints of fruit and wood. The complexity and richness of this whiskey are the direct result of this combination of traditional and innovative ageing methods.

In addition to its unique flavor profile, Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach is also appreciated for its artisanal character and its link with Irish terroir. The selection of oak trees, the cask making and the finishing process are all carried out with particular care and attention, reflecting the Midleton distillery’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach is often presented in elegant packaging, underlining its status as a luxury whiskey. Each bottle is a testament to the craftsmanship and tradition of Irish whiskey, and is highly sought-after by collectors and whiskey lovers alike.

7. Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength – €300

Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength

Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength

Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength is a remarkable expression of the Jameson brand of Irish whisky. Produced at Dublin’s historic Bow Street distillery, this whisky is aged for 18 years, acquiring a richness and complexity of flavor. Its distinctive feature is that it is bottled at “Cask Strength”, i.e. at cask strength without dilution, offering a more intense and robust experience in terms of taste and character.

The flavor profile of this whisky is an elegant balance of rich, complex notes, with nuances of fruit, spice, vanilla and oak, a legacy of the oak casks used for aging. The packaging and presentation of each bottle highlight its exclusivity and age, making this whisky a choice product for collectors and connoisseurs.

Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength enjoys an excellent reputation among connoisseurs and whisky lovers, hailed for its quality and intensity. This expression is considered a premium version of the Jameson brand, representing the distillery’s expertise and tradition in creating exceptional whiskies.

8. The Irishman Cask Strength – €180

The Irishman Cask Strength

The Irishman Cask Strength

The Irishman Cask Strength is a premium Irish whiskey, produced by the Walsh Whiskey distillery, renowned for its high-quality spirits. This whisky is a “Cask Strength” expression, which means it is bottled straight from the cask without dilution, retaining its original strength and richness of aroma. This characteristic gives it greater intensity and depth of flavor than diluted whiskies.

This whisky is known for its complex, nuanced flavor profile. Whisky lovers appreciate The Irishman Cask Strength for its rich and varied notes, which can include elements of fruit, spice, vanilla, and sometimes chocolate or caramel, reflecting the influence of the casks in which it has aged. The absence of cold filtration before bottling also preserves the fullness of its character.

Production of The Irishman Cask Strength is generally limited, each batch being bottled from a restricted selection of casks, making it a rare and sought-after whisky. Its presentation is often elegant, reflecting its status as a top-of-the-range whisky.

9. The Bushmills 1608 – 400th Anniversary – €150

Bushmills 1608 - 400th Anniversary

Bushmills 1608 – 400th Anniversary

Bushmills 1608 – 400th Anniversary is a special Irish whiskey, created to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the original distilling license granted to the Bushmills region in 1608. This whisky comes from the Old Bushmills distillery, one of the oldest and most renowned in Ireland, known for its whiskies of exceptional quality.

This commemorative whisky combines tradition and innovation. It is made from a blend of malted and unmalted barley malt and grains, giving it a particular richness and complexity. A distinctive feature of Bushmills 1608 is the use of a special process involving crystallized barley malt, which adds extra sweetness and caramel notes to the whisky.

The flavor profile of Bushmills 1608 – 400th Anniversary is marked by a harmony of sweetness, spice and fruit notes, resulting in a rich yet balanced tasting experience. The aging process in selected oak barrels further enriches the aromas, adding hints of vanilla and wood.

In terms of presentation, Bushmills 1608 is often packaged and presented in a way that highlights its commemorative character and exclusivity, making it a collector’s item for whisky lovers and history buffs alike.


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