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Meet The Irishman 17: a top-tier Irish whiskey with a cult fan following

This triple-distilled oloroso-matured single malt has quickly carved a solid niche in the new wave Irish whiskey market

If you think Irish whiskey is all about Jameson, then you haven't met The Irishman or its stablemate Writers’ Tears. Sitting at the head of this pot still, single malt and blended whisky house is the 17-year-old, a wholly sherry-matured 56% single malt. 

Here’s a primer to get you started:  

What makes The Irishman 17 standout?

The Irishman 17 is the current top-tier release among the core bottles of its maker, Walsh Whiskey. Matured in first-fill oloroso sherry casks, this is an intensely flavoured and deeply layered single malt release. Its triple distillation creates a smooth and gentle pour that evolves through its 17 years in cask into a rich and elegant release.

Is The Irishman 17 a limited release?

Yes. Just three casks of Irishman 17 are bottled each year. The volume, quality and flavour are strictly controlled to ensure the release builds the legacy it deserves. Fans herald its intense flavour and smoothness while award bodies honour its complex layers and mature personality.

It has won multiple Irish whiskey awards as well as Best Irish Single Cask Single Malt at the 2022 World Whiskies Awards, among others.

Who owns the Irishman brand?

The Irishman brand is owned by Walsh Whiskey – an Irish family-founded business that has weathered storms and enjoyed blissful days on its journey to market. In recent years, it has emerged as one of the most popular whiskey brands among the new wave of Irish whiskey makers, with its two leading series: the Irishman and Writers' Tears.

Founded by the husband-and-wife team of Bernard and Rosemary Walsh in 1999, the whiskey house now sells in more than 50 countries. Following a buyout by the Luxembourg-based Amber Beverage Group, Bernard Walsh remains as CEO, leading the development of a new distillery and expanding its core brands. 

Is The Irishman a top-tier bottling in the Irish market?

Yes, the Irishman series offers a range of single malts and premium blends that have risen to the very top of the Irish whiskey market. The single malt core bottlings, of which there are four of varying maturations, are each triple-distilled with a mash bill of Irish barley. 

Additional bottles in the Irishman series include The Harvest and a Caribbean rum-finished release. Both of these are a marriage of single malt and single pot still whiskey into a triple-distilled premium blend. 

What does The Irishman 17 taste like?

On the nose, you can expect lots of dark chocolate, dried peach, spice and citrus - leading to a palate which is refined and wholly rooted in the Walsh house character. 

Bottled at 56%, this dramatic whiskey makes its presence felt immediately on the palate with a fruit-heavy, spicy lead note. Waves of apricot, caramel, cinnamon and dark sugar quickly follow this. The finish is suitably long and exuberant. 

A drop of water opens this rich single malt even more, reminding the drinker of the power of maturation and the magic of chemistry that happens in the glass.   

From Rare Gems to Great Discounts: Have you visited our two summer sales?

Whether you’re searching for a collector’s item or that very special gift, we have two great sales running to meet every need.

Visit our RARE GEMS section to find the very best reductions in collectable and rare bottles from across the world.

Meanwhile, in our CLEARANCE SALE we’re making room for new arrivals and you’ll find discounts of up to 50% in some cases.

Both sales end soon, so don’t delay.