You came to Ireland for the whiskey—so where to get it? Distillery stores are great places to shop for gifts and apparel as well as new, rare, and distillery-exclusive whiskeys. The airport stores and Dublin whiskey shops remain your best bet for finding those special bottles to take home.
Northern Ireland
Laverys—Belfast
Established in 1854, this is one of the city’s best-loved bars for its diverse floors of fun, from the rooftop beer garden and live music in the back bar to the clatter of billiard balls and roar of the match on the big screen. Best of all, they sell takeaway late into the evening, including bottled craft beers, premium spirits, and cigars.
Don’t Miss: Local labels such as Titanic Irish whiskey and Dunville 10 year old single malt.
The Vineyard—Belfast
A decent collection of distillery and independent Irish whiskey bottlings, coupled with a cracking beer selection and a well-selected wine range. Reach for bottles such as the Quiet Man, Teeling Revival, or something from the full Glendalough range.
Don’t Miss: The craft beers, it’s all about the craft beers; go local with bottles from Farmageddon Brewing or the Boundary Brewery Co-op.
Ireland
Celtic Whiskey Shop—Dublin
With over 120 different Irish whiskeys in stock, and a couple dozen poitìns, Irish vodkas, and gins, this central Dublin store has earned its reputation as the best Irish whiskey shop on the planet. The staff lives and breathes whiskey, so enlist their expertise to help you find the perfect bottle.
Don’t Miss: The Celtic Cask series—their own range of extra-matured single cask bottlings. For dusty hunters, look for 1950s Green Spot, Dungourney 1964, and Knappogue Castle 1951.
Mitchell & Son—Dublin
Remember when Green Spot was the essential purchase on a trip to Ireland? Well, Green Spot originated here, where a daub of green paint distinguished the cask from its Yellow Spot sibling, as Mitchell & Son kept the flame burning for single pot still whiskey. Established in 1805, the business is run by the 6th and 7th generations of the Mitchell family, who continue to procure fine wines, champagne, and, of course, Irish whiskeys, with over 70 in stock!
Don’t Miss: Their special 200th anniversary Green Spot bottlings. An in-depth Irish Whiskey Appreciation course runs four weeks at a cost of €160 per person.
James Fox Cigar & Whiskey Store—Dublin
Over 75 examples of Irish whiskey and the widest selection of premium Cuban cigars in Ireland, sourced from Hunters & Frankau, plus a wide choice of aged cigars available from their humidor. This is an elegant and refined establishment, where you can peruse the shelves to your heart’s content.
Don’t Miss: Midleton James Fox single cask 1999, a first-fill single pot still Irish whiskey bottled for the store’s 130th anniversary.
The Irish Whiskey Collection—Dublin, Cork, and Shannon Airports
A dazzling showcase of the best that modern Irish whiskey has to offer, so make sure you clear security in time to ogle all of the available airport exclusives. This premium presentation of Irish whiskey has been so successful in Dublin Airport T2, that the concept has been replicated in Dublin Airport T1, Cork, and Shannon, home of the world’s first Duty Free shop.
Don’t Miss: Teeling Centenary Collection, Bushmills Sherry Cask Reserve, Midleton Very Rare 30th Anniversary Pearl Edition.
O’Briens Wine—Off Licence (nationwide)
Whether you’re in Drogheda or Athlone, Galway or Limerick, or simply touring the sights of Cork or Dublin, you will find yourself close to one of the 32 stores in the O’Briens chain. They boast over 60 Irish whiskeys in stock, a terrific range of Irish craft beers, and a burgeoning range of local and imported gins.
Don’t Miss: The regular promotions on everyday Irish whiskeys.
Coopers Off Licence—Cahir
Coopers is dedicated to bringing together the finest range of independent and big-brand spirits, beers, and craft ciders. Hidden among the 50-60 Irish whiskeys are real rarities, like the Midleton 30th anniversary Pearl Edition and some of the hard to find Teeling Vintage Reserve releases.
Don’t Miss: Tipperary The Rising or the limited edition Jack Ryan Centenary 15 year old before it sells out.
Irish Whiskey Shop
You won’t believe what is for sale on this dedicated Irish whiskey website, powered by the knowledge of the L. Mulligan Grocer team. The regular and independent brands are all here, but the significant emphasis on rare and collectible bottlings is giddying: Pre-Prohibition Jameson, Coleraine 34 year old, Bushmills Millennium Malt, and Midleton Very Rare 1984 are all at your fingertips.
Don’t Miss: Irish whiskey bar exclusives produced for An Púcán, the Palace Bar, and of course, L. Mulligan Grocer. Insider tip: consider stocking up on the discontinued Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve.
