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Blind whiskey tastings are supposed to strip away everything except what is in the glass, and this approach produced a genuinely interesting shortlist at the Irish Whiskey Masters 2026 of 8 best Irish whiskeys that won master medals. Chaired by The Spirits Business and scored by a panel of specialists without any knowledge of the labels in front of them, the competition awarded its top honour, the Master medal, to eight Irish whiskeys spanning nearly two and a half centuries of distilling history. Some are familiar whiskey bottles that cost less than a decent bottle of wine, while others are single cask rarities produced in tiny quantities and aimed squarely at collectors. Here are the eight Master medal winners, and what makes each one worth seeking out.
Powers Gold Label whiskey traces its roots to James Power’s Dublin distillery, founded in 1791. The blend combines pot still and grain whiskey, with the 2026 judges noting cinnamon, ripe pear, raisins, honey and charred oak.
Award: Master
Category: Blended – Ultra-Premium
ABV: 43.2%
Powers Gold Label Whiskey Price: $25 – $37 (approx.)
Made with 100% Irish-grown rye from County Wexford, Powers Irish Rye whiskey draws on historic Powers recipes and is triple distilled before maturation in virgin, first-fill and refill American oak. It brings peppery spice, caramelised apple, ginger and honey.
Award: Master
Category: Blended – Ultra-Premium
ABV: 43.2%
Powers Irish Rye Whiskey Price: $34 and $40 (approx.)
The Bushmills 22 Year Old Single Cask by That Boutique-y Whisky Company was finished in an ex-Maury wine cask, with just 390 bottles produced. Judges noted dried red fruit, citrus, juicy berries, milk chocolate and a rich, textured palate.
Award: Master
Category: Single Malt – Ultra-Premium
ABV: 45.8%
Bushmills 22 Year Old Single Cask Price: £249.95 / $338 (approx.)
The Donn whiskey is a 6.9-year-old single malt matured in ex-bourbon, Tawny Port, toasted Hungarian oak and Pedro Ximénez casks. The result is rich and heavily Sherried, with black cherry, chocolate and vanilla fudge.
Award: Master
Category: Single Malt – Ultra-Premium
ABV: 46.15% for the 2023 inaugural edition
The Donn Whiskey Price: Waitlist only; no dependable current retail price verified.
The Teeling 33 Year Old Single Malt Rum Cask whiskey comes from its Very Rare Cask Collection and is limited to just 141 bottles. Finished in a rum cask, it shows dried fruit, caramel, burnt sugar, baked banana and fudge.
Award: Master
Category: Single Malt – Ultra-Premium
ABV: 52.1%
Bottle count: 141
Teeling 33 Year Old Single Malt Rum Cask Price: €3,480 at Dublin and Cork Airport Duty Free.
Green Spot whiskey is a classic single pot still Irish whiskey, made with whiskey aged between seven and 10 years in new and refill bourbon and sherry casks. Green apple, honey, spice and toasted wood define its profile.
Award: Master
Category: Single Pot Still – Super-Premium
ABV: 40%
Green Spot Whiskey Price: €60 at Tesco Ireland; other Irish retailers list it around €69.
Yellow Spot whiskey is a 12-year-old single pot still whiskey matured in bourbon barrels, sherry butts and Malaga casks. Honey, peach, spice and crème brûlée give it a richer, sweeter character.
Award: Master
Category: Single Pot Still – Ultra-Premium
Age: 12 years
ABV: 46%
Yellow Spot Whiskey Price: $100 / £83 according to current international listings; Irish retailers currently list it around €87–€92.
Powers Three Swallow Release whiiskey won both a Master medal and the overall Irish Whiskey Taste Master title. Matured mainly in bourbon barrels with some Oloroso sherry, it shows peach, green apple, citrus, herbs and pot still spice.
Award: Master + Irish Whiskey Taste Master
Category: Single Pot Still – Ultra-Premium
ABV: 43.2%
Powers Three Swallow Release Price: $48 / £39.99. Current UK listings sit around £39.99.
* Powers Gold Label - Rich, spicy and fruit-forward with cinnamon, pear and charred oak.
* Powers Irish Rye - A distinctive Irish rye with peppery spice, caramel and honeyed oak.
* Bushmills 22 Year Old Single Cask - Limited to 390 bottles, with dried fruit and a rich, textured palate.
* The Donn - A cask-driven single malt with dark fruit, chocolate and vanilla.
* Teeling 33 Year Old - A rare 141-bottle release with deep fruit and a rum-cask finish.
* Green Spot - Classic single pot still character with green apple, honey and spice.
* Yellow Spot 12 Year Old - Rich and sweet, with honey, peach and crème brûlée notes.
* Powers Three Swallow Release - The overall Taste Master, with fresh fruit, citrus and pot still spice.
What are the best Irish whiskeys that won Master medals at the 2026 Irish Whiskey Masters?
The eight winners include Powers Gold Label, Powers Irish Rye, Bushmills 22 Year Old, The Donn, Teeling 33 Year Old, Green Spot, Yellow Spot 12 Year Old and Powers Three Swallow Release.
Which Irish whiskey won the overall Taste Master title?
Powers Three Swallow Release won both a Master medal and the overall Irish Whiskey Taste Master title.
Which Irish whiskey won the overall Taste Master?
Powers Three Swallow Release.
What is the oldest whiskey on the list?
Teeling 33 Year Old Single Malt Rum Cask.
Which whiskey is the most limited?
Teeling 33 Year Old, with just 141 bottles.
Which is the most affordable?
Powers Gold Label is among the lowest-priced options, depending on market.
Which is a 12-year-old Irish whiskey?
Yellow Spot 12 Year Old, matured in bourbon, sherry and Malaga casks.