Instead · 1
a blended scotch
one for one
- What it gets you
- A blended grain whisky at the same proof in the same drink.
- What it costs you
- Smoothness. Most scotch is smokier and drier, so a coffee or a sour goes sharper.
Substitutions · 3 dishes here use it
Out of irish whiskey
Soft, light and usually unpeated, which makes it the gentlest whiskey to build on. It gets lost under heavy bitters — it wants cream, coffee or citrus.
Everything below is judged against that job. A swap that covers it is a swap; one that only looks similar is not.
Functional substitution system
Replace the job, then correct the side effects
For irish whiskey, the page's working definition is: Soft, light and usually unpeated, which makes it the gentlest whiskey to build on. It gets lost under heavy bitters — it wants cream, coffee or citrus. The swap cards below are judged against that job rather than visual resemblance.
1 · Job
What is the missing ingredient doing?
2 · Candidate
Choose the shelf item that replaces that function.
3 · Side effects
Check water, fat, salt, acid, sweetness, and texture.
4 · Small test
Change a spoonful or small portion first when possible.
5 · Correct
Taste again and move only the axis that is still wrong.
What to reach for
Instead · 2
bourbon
one for one
- What it gets you
- An aged whiskey with sweetness that suits coffee, cream and citrus.
- What it costs you
- Lightness. Bourbon is heavier and cornier and it leads where irish supports.
Instead · 3
a canadian whisky
one for one
- What it gets you
- The closest match in character — light, smooth, easy in a mixed drink.
- What it costs you
- Almost nothing.
Where the swap will be tasted · 3
These need it and are short enough that nothing hides: 4 required ingredients or fewer. Make the swap a decision rather than a repair.
Check what else is in the pan
The company irish whiskey keeps in this library, counted off required ingredients. A swap that argues with the top two is the wrong swap, whatever a chart says.