Whether you’re new to whiskey or already a fan, World Whisky Day on 20 May is a great excuse to indulge in some great Irish whiskeys.
Whiskey (with an ‘e’) has been distilled in Ireland since at least the early 14th century so little wonder the island has produced so many great brands.
From Bushmills in County Antrim, where they’ve been distilling the golden elixir for over 400 years, to newcomers like Roe & Co in Dublin or Connacht Whiskey Company in County Mayo, the island of Ireland has a whiskey to suit every palate.
One of the best ways to find your perfect whiskey is on a whiskey trail and there are lots of great options available.
Whiskey Island offers seven different whiskey trails, ranging from one- to three-day experiences that will take you behind the scenes at distilleries old and new and introduce you to the depth and diversity of Irish whiskey.
Three of the trails are centred on Dublin where some of Ireland’s best-known whiskeys such as Teeling and Jameson are made.
Or you can take a trip into the Hidden Heartlands to discover Kilbeggan and Tullamore whiskeys among others.
The Boyne Valley whiskey trail includes a masterclass at Slane Castle Distillery and a tasting of the award-winning Whistler family of whiskeys at Boann Distillery.
Longer experiences include a two-day trip to Northern Ireland to visit Bushmills and two other distilleries with an overnight stay in Belfast.
And a three-day whiskey trail through Ireland’s Ancient East visits five working distilleries including Ballykeefe, an artisan Irish family farm distillery, with overnight stays in Kilkenny and Cork.
The fully escorted trails combine whiskey tastings with sightseeing providing premium access to the distilleries and passing through some of the island’s most scenic landscapes.
If you prefer to explore the distilleries on the island of Ireland at your own pace, check out
IrishWhiskey360°, which provides information on 26 distilleries that you can visit across the island.
Downloadable maps of five whiskey regions give you the locations of the distilleries while the IrishWhiskey360
o Passport enables you to keep a record of your unique journey.
Wherever you are in the world you’ll be able to sip a warming Irish whiskey on World Whisky Day. But go one better and plan your whiskey tour on the island of Ireland to discover the stories and inspiration behind the aptly named
uisce beatha – water of life.
www.ireland.com