Irish whiskey , as researched in 2009 by the CNBC American broadcaster , remain popular domestically and have grown in international sales steadily over a few decades . Typically CNBC state Irish whiskey is not as smoky as a Scotch whisky , but not as sweet as American or Canadian whiskies . Whiskey form the basis of traditional cream liqueurs , such as Baileys , and the " Irish coffee " ( a cocktail of coffee and whiskey reputedly invented at Foynes flying @-@ boat station ) is probably the best @-@ known Irish cocktail .