Ireland’s whiskey makers continue to set a global standard for craftsmanship, complexity, and character — and this year’s New York World Spirits Competition proved it once again. From rich, meticulously blended expressions to boldly peated single malts and refined pot still classics, the 2025 Best of Class winners showcase the depth and diversity of modern Irish whiskey.

Accord Stone is a newer name in the Irish whiskey landscape, positioning itself as a craft-minded blend house. Their Purpose & Provenance expression is the flagship that reflects their ambition: consciously crafted, meaningfully sourced. According to the brand, Purpose & Provenance is “a blend of 12-year grain and 7-year malt whiskeys” that aims to balance maturity with approachability. 

Teeling is a Dublin-based distillery with a pedigree that blends tradition with innovation. Teeling has made a point of experimenting with finishes, cask types, and non-traditional profiles (for Irish whiskey). Blackpitts is one such bold expression. The name references the old Blackpitts area of Dublin, and the whiskey’s production pays homage to smoke-driven malt practices (rare in Irish whiskey) while filtering through Teeling’s more modern sensibilities.

Blackpitts Peated Single Malt is built on three pillars: peat-smoked barley, triple distillation, and a hybrid cask maturation (ex-bourbon + ex-Sauternes wine casks). The triple distillation tempers some of the more medicinal harshness of smoke, letting a barbecue-like smoke character shine without overpowering.

Midleton Very Rare is the ultra-premium line from Irish Distillers, produced at the Midleton Distillery. Each year’s release is hand-selected by the master distiller, bottled in limited quantities, and carries its own character. The Barry Crockett Legacy edition pays tribute to the legendary master distiller Barry Crockett, who shaped many of Midleton’s iconic releases.

This expression leans heavily into the pot still tradition — malted and unmalted barley, pot still distillation, and a thoughtful barrel program (primarily American oak bourbon barrels, with some contribution from unseasoned American oak). It captures the classical pot still hallmarks: fresh orchard fruit, a spiced dimension, and a finish that is elegant rather than aggressive.

Irish whiskey continues to be one of the fastest-growing spirits categories worldwide, fueled by both heritage and innovation. Established distilleries like Midleton are setting global benchmarks for quality, while newer players such as Accord Stone and boundary-pushers like Teeling are expanding what Irish whiskey can be. Consumers are increasingly drawn to the category’s versatility — from the smooth accessibility of blends to the bold personality of single malts and the depth of pot still whiskeys.

As the results of the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition show, Ireland’s distillers are no longer defined by tradition alone. They’re rewriting it — with craftsmanship, experimentation, and a confidence that places Irish whiskey firmly among the world’s most dynamic and respected spirits.