Mirella Pandjaitan
Apr 06, 2026
“Approachable,” uttered Woody Kane, the Global Brand Ambassador of The Busker Irish Whiskey, as he deliberately chose a word that best encapsulates Irish whiskey. “When I say ‘approachable’, I mean it fully.
Irish whiskey is approachable in its taste profile—it’s smooth, it’s inviting—but it’s also approachable in its spirit, in what it represents.”
Waves of laughter erupted from a room in his great-grand-aunt’s house when Woody was about five years old, long before he ever tasted whiskey. Inside, his great-grand-uncle sat with a friend, sharing stories while passing around a mysterious liquid between them that Woody later learned was whiskey.
This introduction to Irish whiskey went beyond the drink itself, as it doesn’t belong on a pedestal: “It belongs in your hand, at the bar, shared with a good friend.”
Connection is the silver lining. Whiskey, to Woody, has always been about people coming together. In Ireland, whiskey accompanies every part of life. A glass is raised in celebration. Another glass rises when remembering the loss of someone. Even when nothing occurs, something usually happens from thin air after a few whiskies.
Some whiskey cultures, though, might have corrections to meet certain guidelines. That doesn’t correlate with Irish whiskey. Woody emphasised that it’s one’s personal conversation with the whiskey. There’s no right or wrong to the story; whatever is experienced and said is completely valid.
What’s one thing people might not know about Irish whiskey?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that whiskey is just… whiskey.
In reality, Irish whiskey has three distinct styles: grain, malt, and pot still. Each one has its own character and personality. Of course, we can blend them in different ways to create something entirely new. So while Irish whiskey is often described as soft or gentle, it also has real depth and complexity behind it. There’s much more going on than people might initially expect.
You’ve competed in blind tastings. How do you actually differentiate the flavours?
It becomes a process of interpretation. You’re asking yourself, ‘What am I experiencing, and what does it remind me of?’
If I pick up vanilla or caramel, I might think of bourbon cask influence. If there’s nuttiness or dried fruit, perhaps there’s sherry involved. From there, you start building a profile—age, spice, texture. It’s less about being “right” and more about understanding what’s in the glass.
And we always keep it fun. We do our tastings down in Dingle, in Kerry—a beautiful part of Ireland—and there’s always a bit of banter involved. Because at the end of the day, whiskey is meant to be enjoyed, not taken too seriously.
Describe The Busker Irish Whiskey.
The Busker Irish Whiskey (also known as The Busker) is about accessibility without losing character. It’s an Irish whiskey that doesn’t feel intimidating. Instead, it invites people in.
At the same time, there’s genuine depth behind it. You’ve got that balance of smoothness and complexity, depending on which expression you’re exploring. It’s very much rooted in tradition, but it’s also been created with a modern drinker in mind.
I like its versatility; I can enjoy it neat, over ice, or in cocktails. The Busker holds up in all of those settings. It doesn’t lose its identity, nor does it try to be overly complicated and exclusive. There’s something inherently open about it. I reckon that mirrors who we are as Irish people. We’re naturally warm, we enjoy company, we like gathering crowds, and sharing moments. That’s what The Busker represents in those moments that matter, surrounded by people, all while finding your own way into whiskey.
You mentioned being involved in its creation.
Yes, I was involved with the distillery from early on. Around 2012, we set out to build something special, not just another whiskey, but something we could truly stand behind. We partnered with Augusto Reina, who had a deep appreciation for Irish whiskey. The initial idea came from wanting to create something exceptional for a Godfather cocktail using his renowned Disaronno. But he felt strongly that if we were going to do it, we had to do it properly by fully understanding the process, the quality, and the origin. That meant building from the ground up rather than sourcing externally.
We established Royal Oak Distillery in 2016. That gave us full control over how the whiskey was made, from distillation through to maturation. Recently, we celebrated ten years since the first spirit flowed from our stills—a single malt, as it happens. It’s a very proud milestone, especially having been there from those early stages and seeing how it has evolved into what it is today.
For someone new to The Busker, where would you recommend they start?
I don’t think there’s a single starting point. Whiskey is personal. It’s a bit like music—what resonates with you might not be the same for someone else.
The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth is the most approachable expression in the range for first-time drinkers. It’s smooth, it’s balanced, and it’s very easy to enjoy. You get that softness from the grain, a bit of sweetness, a bit of spice, yet it doesn’t overwhelm you. It invites you in.
Those looking for something with a touch more depth but still approachable is The Busker Single Grain Irish Whiskey. Its slightly sweeter profile has vanilla and caramel notes that feel familiar and comforting. It’s a great bridge, especially for people who might be transitioning from cocktails into sipping whiskey.
Then, as curiosity builds, move into more character-driven expressions: The Busker Single Malt Irish Whiskey and The Busker Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. The Single Malt gives you more fruit and complexity. The Single Pot Still, meanwhile, is where the experience becomes distinctly Irish—spicier, richer, layered with texture. That’s where you start to see the heritage and the craft.
Either way, I circle back to the same idea: discovery over direction. I can recommend a path, but the best moment is when someone tries one and goes, ‘Ah, this is mine.’ That’s the connection. That’s the story starting. The Busker isn’t about hierarchy or rules; it’s about a range of expressions that meet people where they are. So, start anywhere! Just make sure you’re paying attention when you do.
What are you enjoying in your glass right now?
Today, I’m sipping The Busker Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, one of my personal favourites and something uniquely Irish. It has weight, it has depth, and it’s one of those whiskies you can keep returning to, discovering something new each time.
Unlike a single malt, which uses 100 per cent malted barley, the pot still whiskey uses a mix that’s typically 50 per cent malted and 50 per cent unmalted barley. That unmalted portion brings a lovely spice and gives the whiskey a richer, more textured, almost oily mouthfeel.
What would you say is the ideal setting to enjoy The Busker Irish Whiskey?
That’s a beautiful question—and an important one.
Because you can have the finest whiskey in the world, but if the setting isn’t right, something is lost. Whiskey isn’t just about what’s in the glass; it’s about everything around it. The people you’re with, the mood you’re in, even the time of day or the weather, all play a role.
For me, the ideal setting is one where you feel at ease. That could be a lively bar, filled with conversation and laughter, where stories are flowing just as freely as the whiskey. Or it could be something much quieter where you’re sitting at home after a long day, reflecting, and taking a moment for yourself.
What matters is the connection. If you’re sharing a glass with others, it becomes part of that shared experience. And if you’re on your own, it becomes something more introspective as a chance to slow down and simply be present.
How you choose to drink it is another factor. Some people will tell you there are rules, but we don’t see it that way. The right way to enjoy whiskey is the way that feels right to you. Start neat to understand what’s being offered. After that, explore by adding water, adding ice, or warming the glass in your hands. You become part of the experience then.
The ideal setting isn’t really a place… It’s a moment where you feel comfortable, connected, and open.
You’re a storyteller, and you focus on connection. As someone who communicates these ideas so clearly, would you say that’s your underlying message?
Absolutely. At its core, it always comes back to connection.
That connection can take many forms. Sometimes it’s deeply personal, sometimes it’s cultural, and sometimes it’s simply about enjoying a moment together. Even when we think we want to be alone, there’s always a point where we reach out because we want to share something with someone else.
I suppose that’s where whiskey finds its place. It becomes part of that moment—it enhances it, it softens it, it brings people together. We try to find those points of connection and ask, ‘How can we make this moment just a little more meaningful, a little more enjoyable?’
Fill in the blanks: When the Busker Irish Whiskey and I are placed side by side, I’d like us to be known as ……
Storytellers—and truly enjoying life.
Being present in that moment every time I have a whiskey. If you can share that moment, tell a story, and enjoy it fully, then that’s everything.
What’s next for you and The Busker Irish Whiskey?
More travel, more conversations, and more connections. That’s the beauty of what I do. I get to meet people from all over the world and share these moments with them. And then, of course, going home to my kids—that’s what keeps everything grounded.
How can our readers get in touch?
The best way is Instagram @woodywhiskey. I always say, if I know the answer, I’ll happily share it. If I don’t, I’ll try to find it. And if I still can’t find it, well, I might just tell a good story instead. At the end of the day, it’s all about enjoying the moment, the company, and the whiskey in your glass.
