15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
World Bee Day: What's the buzz about Irish honey liqueurs?
It seems there's an international day for everything these days - shout out to International Talk Like a Pirate day, September 19! - and bees are no different.
Those fuzzy little pollinators are, in many ways, the unsung heroes of global agriculture, helping crops to thrive and making sticky, sweet honey at the same time. No wonder they've become a symbol for busyness.
World Bee Day takes place on May 20, so what better time to take a look at some of the delicious drinks infused with the fruits of their labours?
Irish whiskey is an incredibly versatile spirit and makes an ideal base for liqueurs, so here are a few tasty options you'll find in your local off licence...
Irish Mist
The original Irish honey liqueur, Irish Mist has been around since 1947, when it was first produced in Tullamore by the Williams family - who were also the originators of Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey. It's been around so long, in fact, that it's in danger of being overlooked in favour of newer, trendier drinks, but maybe it's time for a resurgence in popularity...
Made with aged Irish whiskey, clover and heather honey, as well as a blend of herbs, Irish Mist has a distinctive flavour and can be enjoyed neat, over ice or in any number of mixed drinks.
The Whistler Irish Whiskey & Honey Liqueur
Produced by the Cooneys, of Cooney's Cider fame, in their Drogheda-based Boann Distillery, this relative newcomer to the scene is very much a family affair. The Whistler Irish Whiskey & Honey Liqueur is a natural collaboration between the Cooney family beekeepers and the family's love for Irish whiskey.
This delicious liquid has been crafted by infusing Irish whiskey matured in bourbon and sherry casks with honey harvested from the Cooney's family orchards.
Nose: The nose is bursting with delicious creamy honeycomb, caramel, candied almonds and unmistakable undertones of smooth Irish whiskey
Palate: Opens with a healthy whiskey influence, immediately followed by incredibly creamy vanilla and caramel
Finish: Honey and candied almonds
Tullamore D.E.W. Honey Liqueur
Tullamore D.E.W.'s latest offering adds a little sweetness to the classic, flavourful whiskey they're known for. With Tullamore D.E.W. Honey, they've taken the classic triple-blend Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey and added 100% natural Bohemian honey to create a liqueur that's warm, sweet, smooth and filled with Irish character.
The taste is silky textured honey with vanilla undertones, while natural sweet notes interlace with gentle spices on the nose. These combine to give a finish of sweet warmth, with smooth vanilla and honey flavours buzzing together in the glass.
Dubliner Whiskey & Honeycomb Liqueur
If you take a tour of the Dublin Liberties Distillery, the first thing they do is hand you a dram of this smooth, sweet and incredibly moreish liqueur. It's a great introduction to a brand that maybe doesn't get talked about as much as it should.
A rich blend of honeycomb, caramel, and Irish whiskey, this liqueur brings Dubliner whiskey together with sweet honeycomb and creamy caramel for a deliciously sippable treat. Perfect for sweet-toothed whiskey fans and amazing over ice-cream.
