Irish Whiskey substitutes
The closest substitute for Irish Whiskey is Crown Royal, which works but the drink will taste a little different. Similarly light and smooth. Scotch Whisky and Johnnie Walker Scotch also work. In a pinch, use Bourbon.
What to use instead of Irish Whiskey
| Substitute | How much | Strength | Typical drink |
|---|---|---|---|
Crown RoyalWorks, tastes different Similarly light and smooth. Same amount | Same amount | 40% ABV | About the same |
Scotch WhiskyWorks, tastes different Pick an unpeated blend. Same amount | Same amount | 40–46% ABV | About the same |
Johnnie Walker ScotchWorks, tastes different A little smokier. Same amount | Same amount | 40% ABV | About the same |
BourbonLast resort Noticeably sweeter. Same amount | Same amount | 40–50% ABV | +1 point |
Almost the same: most people won’t notice. Works, tastes different: still a good drink, just a different one. Last resort: better than skipping the drink. Typical drink: the usual change in ABV, in percentage points, across the drinks below.
Swap it in your drink
Pick a substitute to see how much to pour in each drink with Irish Whiskey, how strong the drink ends up and when to adjust the sugar.
- Camerons Kick
30ml (1 oz) Irish Whiskey → 30ml (1 oz) Crown Royal
Same strength
- Green Tea Shot
15ml (½ oz) Irish Whiskey → 15ml (½ oz) Crown Royal
Same strength
- Irish Car Bomb
15ml (½ oz) Irish Whiskey → 15ml (½ oz) Crown Royal
Same strength
- Irish Coffee
40ml (1⅓ oz) Irish Whiskey → 40ml (1⅓ oz) Crown Royal
Same strength
- Pickleback
30ml (1 oz) Irish Whiskey → 30ml (1 oz) Crown Royal
Same strength
- Tipperary
45ml (1½ oz) Irish Whiskey → 45ml (1½ oz) Crown Royal
Same strength
How they compare
| Property | Irish Whiskey | Crown Royal |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40–46% ABV | 40% ABV |
| Taste | Smooth, Honey, Vanilla, Light spice, Cereal | Smooth, Vanilla, Caramel sweetness, Light oak, Fruit |
| Aroma | Light fruit, Honey, Vanilla, Floral | Vanilla, Light oak, Caramel, Fruit, Subtle rye spice |
| Finish | Clean, Gentle, Medium length | Smooth, Warm, Light spice, Medium |
| Property | Irish Whiskey | Scotch Whisky |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40–46% ABV | 40–46% ABV |
| Taste | Smooth, Honey, Vanilla, Light spice, Cereal | Malty, Honey, Vanilla, Fruit, Oak |
| Aroma | Light fruit, Honey, Vanilla, Floral | Malt, Honey, Heather, Fruit, Light smoke |
| Finish | Clean, Gentle, Medium length | Warming, Complex, Medium to long |
Already have one of these?
If you have Jameson, Bushmills Original, Redbreast 12 or Tullamore D.E.W., you don't need a substitute: they are all Irish Whiskey. How they differ
What is Irish Whiskey?
Irish whiskey is typically triple-distilled for smoothness, with a lighter, more approachable character than Scotch. Perfect for Irish Coffee and whiskey sours.
Got Irish Whiskey? It also replaces
Questions about Irish Whiskey substitutes
What is the best substitute for Irish Whiskey?
Crown Royal is the closest substitute for Irish Whiskey, though the drink will taste a little different. Similarly light and smooth. Use the same amount.
What can I use instead of Irish Whiskey in an Irish Coffee?
Crown Royal: swap 40ml (1⅓ oz) of Irish Whiskey for 40ml (1⅓ oz) of Crown Royal.
Which Irish Whiskey brands can I use?
If you have Jameson, Bushmills Original, Redbreast 12 or Tullamore D.E.W., you don't need a substitute: they are all Irish Whiskey. They differ in style and price, not in how you use them.
Does Crown Royal instead of Irish Whiskey change how strong the drink is?
Barely. In the 6 drinks on this page that use Irish Whiskey, Crown Royal changes the strength by less than one percentage point.
More spirit substitutes
Out of Irish Whiskey?
Proof knows these swaps. Tell it which bottles you have and it shows the drinks you can still make.