16 Best Whiskeys For An Irish Coffee

Irish coffee is a popular after-dinner drink, says Mix That Drink, and doesn't take a lot to make. All you really need is a nice Irish whiskey and some freshly brewed coffee. Of course, some sugar and whipped cream are never bad add-ons, too. This drink is an oldie but a goodie, as it's been around for quite some time. The Irish coffee first came about in 1952 thanks to Joe Sheridan, a chef who worked at an airport in Ireland says San Francisco Travel. He created the hot drink when a bunch of passengers got stranded during a winter storm. 

Today, the drink is still just as popular. After all, there is the International Irish Coffee Day on January 25th, says Irish Central. But not just any whiskey will do when making this favorite coffee drink. That's where we come in. We've rounded up the 16 best whiskeys for an Irish coffee for the next time you need a (boozy) pick-me-up.

The family business, once known as Mitchell & Son, matured its whiskey casks in underground cellars directly hidden under Dublin's bustling streets, per Spot Whiskey. The company got its start in the 1800s working with Jameson's distillery and maturing the spirit in wine casks. The spot labels were used to identify the length of maturity for each barrel, which is how it got its name today. 

We're big fans of the Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. It is aged for around seven to 10 years and matured in both bourbon and sherry casks, giving off scents of woods and spices with a hint of fruit, says Spot Whiskey. As for the taste, you can expect green apples and cloves with a finish that lingers with barely and spices. It's the ideal flavor palate that will help enhance any Irish coffee to the next level.

Teeling Whiskey says its unique flavor profile is all thanks to the way it's made. Both grain and malt whiskey are first aged in ex-bourbon barrels that are then placed in Central American rum casks for about 12 months. It's the rum casks that make this whiskey smell a bit like sweet and tangy dried fruit. What you'll taste is a mix of vanilla and spice that is both sugary and woodsy, making for a cozy but well-balanced flavor combination. 

That aromatic profile creates a delicious sipping whiskey, but also one that works well in an Irish coffee. Vanilla and dried fruit mixed with coffee is kind of perfect on its own without anything else added. However, Teeling Whiskey says you can always bump up the flavor even more by adding a spiced stout syrup to the mix. A boozy, sugary syrup sounds like the perfect addition to any coffee concoction.

While this whiskey may not have been around for too long, it definitely shouldn't be overlooked. Roe & Co says its Blended Irish Whiskey is named after a man named George Roe, who once had the largest distillery in Ireland that spanned more than 17 acres. While that historic distillery closed back in 1926, the Roe & Co brand helps the legacy live on by honoring Dublin's roots in the thriving whiskey business. And thank goodness for that, as their Blended Irish Whiskey is one we would have never wanted to miss. Malt and grain whiskey are aged in bourbon casks that give off a fragrant aroma with a taste of pear and vanilla and an ultra-creamy finish. 

This whiskey will not disappoint you in your Irish coffee either. To get an extra sweet finish, Roe & Co says to try whipping your cream with maple syrup and a drop of vanilla essence.

According to Mad March Hare, its Irish Poitín dates all the way back to the sixth century, winning the title as the "oldest spirit in the world." Originally distilled by monks, Irish Poitín was later banned by the British in 1661. Thankfully, it is legal once again today and worth getting your hands on. The whiskey is made with malted barley and Irish spring water, and it is distilled in small copper pot stills, all of which help provide an extra smooth taste. 

Who doesn't want to add the oldest spirit into a cup of coffee for a boozy afternoon sip? For a little added flavor, Mad March Hare says try adding Demerara syrup to an Irish coffee instead of a traditional simple syrup. A Communal Table explains a Demerara syrup uses Demerara sugar rather than white sugar which adds more of a caramel taste. Pass the syrup, please.

According to Baker's Bourbon, "no two barrels are alike" when it comes to making its single barrel bourbon, which is why we think it's so special. Each barrel used for its whiskey is aged for at least seven years, so it brings on the aroma of vanilla and charred oak. And this brand is not about mixing or batching their whiskey either. Instead, it comes from only one barrel that helps create a bourbon with a strong profile but has different unique details in each bottle. 

You can't go wrong using Baker's Bourbon for your whiskey of choice when whipping up an Irish coffee. With a bourbon named after Jim Beam's grand-nephew who was known as both a rebel and bourbon enthusiast, this bottle will surely do the trick when it comes to crafting a well-balanced coffee drink that anyone and everyone (of legal drinking age) can appreciate.

According to Proper Whiskey, it's No. Twelve Irish Whiskey is triple distilled, which helps offer the perfect blend of fine grain and single malt for a profile full of honey and toasted wood. After the barley is steeped and germinated, it is air-dried and ground down into a grist before being fermented and later distilled in copper pot stills. But since this whiskey is triple distilled, it doesn't stop there. After the initial distillation, the whiskey is then distilled in what is called a "low wine still" and eventually in a "spirit still." As for the aging process, the whiskey is placed in bourbon barrels, presenting a distinct vanilla flavor. But the big thing here is the blending process, which combines an Irish grain spirit and single malt into one that packs a flavor punch.

With such an elaborate process to get this whiskey just right, we say keep it simple when it comes to your Irish coffee. Proper Whiskey says the only real addition is the whipped cream on top, which is best made by hand and with heavy cream.

A relatively newbie to hit the market, Nikka says its Coffey Grain Whisky was originally released in 2012, and we're happy to have it. This Coffey Grain Whisky is made from corn along with whisky that has been distilled in a Coffey still. To get this sweet and oaky flavor profile, the whiskey is then aged in two old casks, including re-charred American oak casks. Plus, the Coffey Grain Whisky has everything that is needed to be labeled as a Japanese whisky, which is a total win for us. 

According to Nikka, its founder, Masataka Taketsuru came from a sake brewing background in Hiroshima and launched his very first whisky back in 1940. With a rich history like that, you know it's one of the best whiskeys for Irish coffee. That oaky taste makes for the ideal companion to the bitterness of the coffee, which hardly needs any added ingredients to achieve this simple yet delicious drink. 

Slane Irish Whiskey says its Irish Whiskey Triple Casked combines both grain and malt whiskeys in three casks that create a wide range of flavors. Here, you'll pick up notes of banana and butterscotch, along with heavenly spices used for baking. The nose is warm and spicy, as is the taste, with its flavors of caramel, vanilla, and dried fruit. The finish is woodsy but still has the right amount of sweetness that lasts. Who wouldn't want to put this flavorful whiskey in their coffee?

This Irish Whiskey Triple Casked is hands-down one of the best whiskeys for Irish coffee. The flavors complement any beans and provide a wonderful warming sip anyone can appreciate. To make your coffee cocktail a little more like a dessert, Slane Irish Whiskey says garnish your Irish coffee with dark chocolate shavings. Honestly, we wonder why we haven't thought of that before.