Proper No. 12 Irish Whiskey Review (2026)

 

Co-founded in 2018 by MMA fighter Conor McGregor, Proper No. Twelve is named for the area code of Crumlin, the Dublin neighborhood where he was raised. His partner was David Elder, who was formerly with Guinness. The duo claimed they sampled about 100 blends before agreeing on Proper No. Twelve’s profile. They called their bottling company Eire Born Spirits.

 

“Not content on following the norm, our whiskey will always challenge convention and defy expectations. Through much trial and error, painstaking measures were taken to bring the whiskey to fruition, creating close to one hundred blends before ultimately selecting the one and only proper whiskey. The Result? A smooth, approachable whiskey that’s fit to mark every win and toast any and all victories.” – Proximo Spirits

 

In 2022, Proximo Spirits purchased a majority stake in Proper No. Twelve for about $600 million, citing its popularity as the main driver. In November 2024, Proximo cut all ties with McGregor, removing his likeness, name, and face from Proper No. Twelve due to McGregor’s being found liable for a 2018 sexual assault.

 

Yet, Proper No. Twelve remains extremely popular; in 2023, it was the third-best-selling Irish whiskey brand worldwide.

 

Proper No. Twelve is a Blended Irish whiskey; it is made from both malt and grain whiskeys. The ratio is undisclosed. Triple-distilled in copper pot stills by Bushmills, it first undergoes a 50-hour fermentation cycle. Post-distillation, it is matured for at least four years in recharred, vintage Bourbon barrels.

 

The big question, of course, is: How does the third best-selling Irish whiskey taste? To answer that, we must #DrinkCurious. This opportunity is made possible by my purchase of a 50mL taster for $1.99 from Chill Zone Liquor in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

 

• Whiskey Type: Blended Irish Whiskey
• Distiller: Old Bushmills Distillery
• Age: 4 years
• Mashbill: Undisclosed blend of Irish single malts and Irish grain whiskeys
• Cooperage: Recharred vintage Bourbon barrels
• Alcohol Content: 40% ABV (80°)
• Price per 750mL: $23.99

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore this whiskey neat. The liquid was the color of golden straw and created a medium rim with thick, slow, syrupy tears. Big droplets stuck around like glue, as did much of the rim’s remnants.

 

Nose: I gave Proper No. Twelve about ten minutes to wander around the ring before sounding the bell. When I brought the glass to my nostrils and inhaled, I found an aroma of freshly cut grass, lavender, caramel, and vanilla. The air inside my mouth tasted of Jolly Rancher green apple candy.  

 

Palate: On the initial sip, the texture seemed creamy; the palate shock was acidic and astringent. I know never to judge anything by the palate shock, so I tried again. The front featured an industrial green apple aspect, followed by bergamot. Next came a metallic minerality quality on the mid-palate. The back got spicy with white pepper and oak tannins.   

 

Finish: The finish brought a bitter barrage of what I swear was wormwood and bergamot, followed by oak tannins. The bout lasted only 44 seconds.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Wormwood is a note I expect from absinthe, not whiskey, and especially not Irish whiskey. Proper No. Twelve is tangy, sweet, sour, metallic, and bitter all at once. How do I explain its popularity? I’ll go out on a limb and assume most people aren’t drinking this neat. And Coke, or as a cocktail component, might make things palatable.  

 

Proper No. Twelve had me calling for submission. My Bust rating is well-earned. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.