The Irishman

Bernard and Rosemary Walsh first founded their company in 1999 to create the perfect Irish coffee – it was only in 2006 that the whiskey brand The Irishman emerged from it, launching its first standalone bottling in 2007. The brand sees itself as a rebirth of the traditional, family-run distilling craft that flourished during Ireland's last golden age of whiskey in the early 20th century.

The Irishman is produced at the Midleton Distillery in Cork; rights to the brand remain with the Walsh family. From The Irishman Single Malt to The Harvest, you will find the right bottle for every occasion in our selection.

How did an Irish coffee project become a whiskey brand?

In 1999, Bernard and Rosemary Walsh founded the company Hot Irishman Limited with the aim of developing the perfect Irish coffee recipe. In 2005, this was followed by The Irishman Irish Cream liqueur, intended to rival the big established brands – but using only premium ingredients. It was only in 2006 that the actual whiskey brand The Irishman was born, with its first standalone bottling released in 2007. In 2009, the family added a second whiskey brand, Writers' Tears.

What does The Irishman stand for as a brand?

The Irishman sees itself as a deliberate return to the traditional, family-run distilling craft that flourished during Ireland's last golden age of whiskey in the early 20th century – long before the industry became dominated by a handful of large corporations. The whiskey is produced at the Midleton Distillery in Cork; the family's own Walsh Whiskey Distillery in Royal Oak, County Carlow, began operating in 2016. The Irishman and Writers' Tears together won four gold medals at the Irish Whiskey Awards 2017.

Overview of the most popular bottlings

1. The Irishman Single Malt
The brand's classic single malt bottling.
Taste: Soft and fruity with subtle vanilla.
Serving suggestion: An accessible introduction to Irish single malt.

2. The Irishman - The Harvest
A blend of single malt and single pot still whiskey.
Taste: Grainy and spicy with a creamy texture.
Serving suggestion: For anyone wanting to discover the layered pot still style.

Facts and figures

Founded: 1999 (company), 2006 (whiskey brand) by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh. First bottling: 2007. Production: Midleton Distillery, Cork & Walsh Whiskey Distillery, Royal Oak, Carlow (since 2016).