Taste Your Way Through the Largest Collection of Premium Whiskies in Ireland at This Restored Manor

With dozens of distilleries and countless corner pubs spread throughout Ireland, finding a whiskey sanctuary here is quite an easy accomplishment. It's simple enough to find a palatable dram or even a selection of respectable bottles at any number of watering holes, but to find a truly standout experience is a bit more of a task. But one bar offers a pretty remarkable lineup. In fact, it's the country's largest selection of premium whiskeys — and it's housed in an artfully restored manor in the Irish countryside.

Located about a three-hour drive west of the capital city and about 20 minutes north of Limerick, Adare Manor flanks a quiet town filled with pubs, boutiques, and thatched-roof eateries. The grand 104-room property, which underwent an 18-month-long restoration at the cost of €70 million-plus in 2017, also boasts great culinary chops — its signature restaurant, The Oak Room, earned its first Michelin star in 2019. But it's the hotel's grand whiskey collection that really draws attention.

The hotel has 160 rare quality bottles, including decades-old vintages from Pappy Van Winkle, Midleton, and Macallan, among others. Guests can sit down for any of the three guided tastings on offer alongside an expert member of the hotel's team and drink their way through an assortment of impeccable whiskies from around the world. The hotel's commitment to premier whiskey is so deep that it partnered with Midleton to create its own whiskey that is aged for 25 years in virgin American oak casks, of which there are only 156 bottles available for sale.

But it's no surprise that the hotel offers such a luxe experience to its guests. Adare is regularly voted one of the best hotels in the world for its impeccable service, beautifully manicured gardens, award-winning restaurants, and bars that turn out some of the best cocktails on the island.

For visiting guests, head through the main hall, past a roaring fireplace and seemingly endless hand-carved wood paneling, and down a winding staircase to find The Tack Room. The bar blends 1920s speakeasy glamour with a flare that can only be found in an Irish manor house that dates back hundreds of years. A marble bar dominates The Tack Room's back corner with cushy chairs scattered about and a mammoth wood-burning fireplace that gives the space a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for getting lost in conversation — and a dram or two.

The attention to detail doesn't stop with the decor or the ingredients in the cocktails. The team also designed bespoke glassware to amp up the bar's personality so guests can enjoy a premium drink in a vessel they'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

So while Ireland may play host to endless pubs, bars, and taprooms, Adare Manor's whiskey den is the place spirits lovers should add to their bucket list.