History was made in March this year when Irish whiskey export sales broke through the €1 billion barrier, which equates to fifteen million cases a year.

According to the Irish Whiskey Association, our fabled uisce beatha is now available in 113 countries with India and Nigeria among the fastest-growing markets.

The IWA also confirmed that Ireland has 50 working distilleries and 28 visitor centres, which in 2024 attracted a combined 800,000 whiskey lovers.

Add in the 10,000 people employed in the brewing and distilling industries here, and there’s still much to celebrate amidst the understandable concerns about US tariffs and a slowdown in the Irish hospitality sector.

Making it into TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards Top 10 is Croithlí Distillery, which is currently accepting orders for its extremely limited-edition PX Single Cask, which was distilled by direct flame and matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

Drawing on centuries of Donegal whiskey-making tradition, they’re a small business constantly punching above their weight with a mantlepiece full of awards to prove it.

Also from The Forgotten County (well, not by us!) comes Ardara Single Malt, a peated whiskey of real distinction which is limited to a more generous 10,000 bottles.

As traditional an Irish dram as you’ll find, it’s available in selected outlets nationwide and from sliabhliagdistillers.com.

Meanwhile, former Munster and Ireland rugby star Simon Zebo is one of the driving forces behind Black Emerald Whiskey, a single grain that’s available in 7 Year Rum Cask Finish and 15 Year Cognac Cask Finish expressions.

Available from the blackemerald.ie shop priced respectively at €62 and €77, they’re both high-end liquids designed for sipping – although we won’t complain if either makes it into one of our preferred whiskey cocktails!

As well as establishing Black Emerald at home, Zebo and his fellow investors are eagerly eyeing up Nigeria and another of the continent’s whiskey hotspots, South Africa.

Already doing brisk business there and across large swathes of Asia is ELEMENT Irish Whiskey who’ve gone the slick contemporary design route with their Fusion, Lore and X series range of whiskies, which retail for between €49 and €65 and taste as good as they look.

Also making international waves is Neit, a boutique Irish whiskey brand with Italian roots who’ve collaborated on their 34-year-old Silent Harmony expression with Michelin-starred sushi chef Endo Kazutoshi.

It’s aimed squarely at the rich hipster market with just 185 numbered bottles retailing at €3,447.

Also dropping soon, prices as yet unknown, are their Madeira Mystery, Mellow Spice and Toffee Dream expressions. Get a very eye-catching preview at neit.io.

Of course, there’s more to Irish distilling than just whiskey with Italian mixologist Bruni Vanzan spicing up his own Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin iteration with juniper, viola fig and laurel from his native Tuscany.

Having won gold at last year’s World Vodka Awards, Pippa O’Connor’s Istil 38 has started making it on to hip bar menus on both sides of the Irish Sea and the Atlantic. While loved by mixologists, it’s smooth enough to enjoy over ice with a just a twist of lemon.

Along with all these exciting homegrown happenings, our love affair with Irish and international heritage brands continues unabated.

As you can read elsewhere in this Hot Press Drinks Special, Hennessy Cognac remains the epitome of timeless sophistication, with a distilling tradition dating back to 1765.

Also renowned for being at the cultural cutting edge, Hennessy has stayed true to the vision of its Cork-born founder, Richard Hennessy, and evokes a warm, winter feeling with its Hennessy V.S.O.P and Hennessy X.O.

So, raise a glass and say “Sláinte!” to all of the brilliant distilleries out there.

Hennessy: Made For More

Long celebrated for its craftsmanship and connection to culture, Hennessy continues to inspire new ways to enjoy Cognac. Whether that’s sipped neat, poured over ice or mixed into something extraordinary.

Its Made for More campaign highlights the versatility of Hennessy through reimagined classics such as the ‘Henny-Rita’, which exchanges tequila for Hennessy V.S, adding warmth, depth and a little French finesse to a classic Margarita.

These exchanges encourage exploration into the full flavour and creativity which Hennessy is so widely known for.

For timeless sophistication, Hennessy V.S.O.P has set the standard since 1817. Originally crafted for the Future King George IV, it strikes the perfect harmony of balance and refinement with layered notes of Vanilla, Spice and Oak. For moments that call for something truly special, Hennessy X.O delivers rich and indulgent depth with notes of candied fruit, cocoa and spice.

If it’s effortless refreshment you’re after, look no further than a Hennessy V.S & Ginger Ale, and for an elegant after dinner serve treat yourself to a Hennessy Espresso Martini.

Whatever the occasion, Hennessy is Made for More.

Hennessy Espresso Martini

Hennessy V.S 45ml
Espresso 30ml
Simple Syrup 10ml

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake until chilled.
3. Strain into a Martini glass.
4. Garnish with coffee beans

Hennessy Henny-Rita

40 ml Hennessy V.S
20 ml Fresh lime juice
15 ml Orange Liqueur
5 ml Agave syrup
1 Lime wedge
1 Optional: Salt for rim

1. Add all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake until chilled.
3. Strain into salt-rimmed rocks glass with ice.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.