Welcome to Irish Whiskey
Irish whiskey history, rules, styles and making, with everything you need to understand what is in your glass.
A guide to Irish whiskey reading
Irish Whiskey Books
Explore Irish whiskey books that document the past and present of Irish whiskey, from distillery guides, maps and Irish whiskey history to modern reference books, travel companions and collector-friendly reads.
Irish whiskey's annual handbook.
Bonded is an Irish whiskey handbook and modern Irish whiskey distillery guide, with every working distillery profiled alongside the year in numbers, expert essays, Irish whiskey maps, travel guides and the releases that defined the year.
50
working Irish whiskey distilleries profiled
1,000+
verified facts for Irish whiskey readers
3,000
hand-numbered first edition copies
2027
the inaugural Irish whiskey handbook
Seven unique sections. One complete picture of Irish whiskey.
256 pages documenting Irish whiskey history, the people and places behind the category, the whiskeys shaping 2027 and the practical details readers expect from an Irish whiskey handbook.
Explore the BookThe Year in Irish Whiskey
The defining stories, numbers, releases, ownership changes and milestones that shaped Irish whiskey this year.
The Essays
Original writing and conversations from distillers, historians, makers and industry voices exploring Irish whiskey beyond the facts.
Around Ireland: Irish Whiskey Maps & Tours
Irish whiskey maps and an Irish whiskey travel guide for exploring Ireland's whiskey distilleries, province by province.
Irish Whiskey Distillery Guide
Every working Irish whiskey distillery profiled, alongside Ireland's bonders and independent bottlers, with their stories and essential facts in one place.
The Whiskey Itself
The year's defining bottles, new releases, enduring classics and whiskeys worth seeking out, with a special focus on Irish single pot still whiskey.
Reference & Practical
Irish whiskey terms, a distillery visitor directory, annual calendar, specialist retailers, further reading across Irish whiskey books and useful resources.
Further Reading
Sadly, the rise of Irish whiskey over the past decade has not been matched by literary releases. Many Irish whiskey books were written more than a decade ago, with a heavy focus on Irish whiskey history rather than its current state and the stories that go with its meteoric rise. I hope that the journalistic and cultural merit of documenting Irish whiskey's story is recognised by another generation of writers. There is much to tell.
Here is a selection of reads that have informed and inspired me over the last decade, from Irish single pot still whiskey and lost distilleries to broader whiskey history, travel and reference. Happy reading.
A Glass Apart: Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey
The definitive tome on Irish single pot still whiskey, and the reason a good deal of what has happened since happened. Out of print now, with secondhand copies usually carrying the price to match.
Find in stockStill With Us: Formative Imperatives in the History of Material Irish Whiskey
A 2025 TU Dublin PhD thesis covering Irish whiskey history and historical mash bill research, including ten historic recipes distilled at Boann and assessed by a panel of the trade.
Download freeFrom Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover's Guide to Ireland
The Dead Rabbit team's Irish whiskey travel guide, covering distilleries, bars and a dozen of their own cocktails at the back.
Find in stockThe Whiskeys of Ireland
Written by a writer-turned-distiller, and a great overview of the historical decisions that led Irish whiskey to where it is today.
Find in stockBushmills: 400 Years in the Making
Out of print and generally inexpensive secondhand. The only in-depth account of the famed Antrim distillery.
Find in stockThe World Atlas of Whisky
A tremendously in-depth volume on whiskey globally, with the 2024 third edition bringing the wider world of whisky up to date.
Find in stockIrish Whiskey: 100 of Ireland's Best Whiskeys
A pocket-sized and inexpensive introduction to Irish whiskey, built around short entries on well-known and well-loved bottles.
Find in stockThe Lost Distilleries of Ireland
Distillery by distillery, a record of what Ireland once had and what became of it. Still one of the essential books on vanished Irish whiskey places.
Find in stockIrish Whiskey: A History of Distilling, the Spirit Trade and Excise Controls in Ireland
A scholarly tome, long out of print and quite scarce. A copy in good condition will often cost three figures.
Find in stockIrish Whiskey: A 1000 Year Tradition
Written from inside the trade press, first published as 1000 Years of Irish Whiskey and later reissued under this title.
Find in stockThe Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom
The original 1887 journey through the whisky distilleries of the United Kingdom, including twenty-eight Irish distilleries in detail.
Find in stockSome outbound book links may be affiliate links. The reading list is curated for relevance to Irish whiskey readers.