Neat, rocks or cocktail? A guide to getting the most out of Irish whiskey

Now that you know the basics of what Irish whiskey is and where it came from, the more pressing question is: How do you drink it without looking like a newb? Whether you’re hosting a St. Patrick’s Day gathering, browsing the shelves at Quality Dairy or bellying up to one of the bars that has a serious whiskey program, here are some tips from the experts.

 

Start with the basics:  How to taste it

If you’re trying a new bottle, start neat. No ice, no mixer, just whiskey in a glass.

The Glencairn glass is considered the standard for tastings because it’s easy to swirl and nose. Give the whiskey a moment to breathe, nose it gently (don’t stick your nose all the way in), then take a small sip and let it coat your palate before swallowing. Note what you taste: fruit, oak, vanilla, spice, sweetness and the finish. There are no wrong answers: What you taste is dependent on your lifelong flavor experiences.

Once you’ve assessed the spirit neat, try adding a few drops of water. I like to use a dropper. This isn’t sacrilegious by any means: Water genuinely opens up the aromatics and helps different flavors come through. If you’re drinking a standard Jameson, you’ll notice the difference isn’t dramatic. If you’re drinking a cask-strength Redbreast, it’s transformative.

On the rocks is perfectly fine for blended or budget-friendly expressions, though it will dull the more nuanced flavors in a premium bottle. The staff at the Irish Pub prefers a single large ice cube, which gently chills the whiskey without drowning it.

“We love our big ice cubes here,” bar manager Sarah Carter said. “That’s how my bartenders drink it.”

What to buy: Three price points

Breanna Bauer has been stocking spirits for Lansing shelves for over two decades, including managing 16 Quality Dairy locations. Here’s how she’d guide you through the category at different price points:

Entry level ($20): Paddy’s Irish Whiskey. An accessible, budget-friendly option that represents solid value for its price. Good for mixing or casual sipping.

The sweet spot ($30): Jameson. The undisputed king of the category. Smooth, light and approachable, Jameson is ideal for mixed drinks, shots or introducing someone to Irish whiskey for the first time. If you want to step it up slightly, Jameson also offers a Black Barrel expression ($40) and the newer Triple Triple ($35), both of which add complexity at a modest price increase.

The splurge ($75): Redbreast 12-Year. This is the bottle every local expert interviewed for this story mentioned unprompted. Bauer called it “a phenomenal choice” and said it’s the best Irish whiskey available under $100. Henry Kwok agreed: “Redbreast is probably my favorite Irish whiskey.” The 12-Year is the entry point for the Redbreast line, which gets significantly better and more expensive from there.

Also worth seeking out: Slane Irish Whiskey ($30), which the Irish Pub’s head bartender rates as comparable to Redbreast at a fraction of the cost. And, if you want to venture into the premium tier beyond Redbreast, the Spot Whiskey line — Green Spot ($70), Yellow Spot ($150) and Red Spot ($200) — features some of the most acclaimed single-pot still expressions available.

Cocktails worth knowing

Irish whiskey’s clean, light profile makes it a natural mixer. Here are three cocktails worth trying this St. Patrick’s Day:

Irish coffee: The classic. Jameson (or your preferred Irish whiskey), hot coffee, a touch of brown sugar and fresh cream. Baileys Irish Cream is often used; try Carolans for almost half the price. The Irish Pub has poured a lot of these this winter. A proper Irish coffee is best in the early afternoon.

The pickleback: Kwok’s recommendation. A shot of Jameson followed by a shot of pickle juice. “Pickle juice really cuts that alcohol taste,” he said. “If you don’t love the taste of Jameson neat, this is your move.” It sounds unhinged, but it works.

The Irish car bomb: Not subtle, but culturally unavoidable on St. Patrick’s Day. Shots of Jameson and Baileys Irish Cream are dropped into a half pint of Guinness and consumed quickly. The name is considered offensive in Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom, where it is called “Irish slammer” or other names.

A word on green tea shots

You may hear about green tea shots on March 17th. They’re made with Jameson, peach schnapps and sour mix. The Irish Pub sold more than 400 of them last St. Patrick’s Day alone. “Especially with college kids, it’s just, ‘Let’s do green tea shots.’” Carter said. “Whiskey is more than that.”

She’s right, but also, they’re kind of fun. No judgment. After all, if you like it, then it’s the “right” way to drink whiskey.