The album demonstrate a unique, innovative sound that was described by some as "groundbreaking". Dave Beeby of "The Living Tradition" said the album was "essential, it's innovative, and, along with the new Dick Gaughan , one of the most important to come out of Scotland this year. Even more importantly it's brilliant". He further commented it was "quite simply stunning" and called it "unique, a word too often used, but in this case meant." Dave Sleger of Allmusic rated the album three stars out of five and said ""A Whiskey Kiss" will probably appeal less to folk purists than to those who welcome a little spice and variety injected into their rock & roll." He praised the band's uniqueness and the album's lack of lyrics, which he feared could have "brought the album down" had they appeared. "Ambience" said that "with their wild ceilidh type music played on fiddle, banjo, guitar, drums and percussion, Shooglenifty have become a force to be reckoned with and their brilliance shows no sign of abating." The album has continued to be highly praised in later times; Keith Whitham of "The Living Tradition" referred to it as a "groundbreaking album".