Origin: Cork (Ireland)
Type: Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: The Midleton Distillery
Average price: € 90.00
Official website: www.redbreastwhiskey.com
After quite some time, I’m back to one of the cornerstones of Irish whiskey, the Redbreast produced by the giant Midleton, which has been back on shelves around the world since 1991.
Born in 2016, this Spanish-style edition (labeled as Iberian Series) aims to highlight the influence of sherry on the well-known single pot still (which I recall is a distillate made from malted and unmalted barley, in this case in equal proportions, with the possibility of adding a minimum percentage of other grains), using casks sourced from the renowned Lustau bodega.
Starting from a classic mixed aging of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry between nine and twelve years, an additional year of passage in seasoned ex-oloroso sherry casks from Lustau is added.
The series also includes the Cuatro Barilles Edition, while the PX Edition has moved to the core range, although it is hard to understand the difference since they are all continuous bottlings…
Tasting Notes
The nose is obviously dominated by sherried notes, expressed in dried fruits (figs, dates, apricots), red fruits (raisins, maraschino, raspberries), and spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, white pepper), with hints of baked apple, hazelnuts, and toasted almonds leading towards pastries, strudel, and panforte. In the background, there is an idea of confectionery, like stepping into a shop of sweets and candies, with licorice, chocolate, toffee, butter cookies, and antique wood. Seductive.
On the palate, it highlights red fruits, with a good dose of spices (black pepper and ginger at the forefront), alongside candied fruit (orange, pineapple, apricot) that punctuates a plum cake filled with raisins and nuts (pine nuts, almonds). Less pronounced is the dried fruit (figs, plums) to make room for deeper, darker notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and preserved cherries. In the background, a vegetal vein appears with subtle balsamic hints.
Finish quite long with spices, dried red fruits and candied fruits, nuts, baked apple, vegetal and balsamic notes.
Review: The influence of the casks is significant, not enough to completely overshadow the character of Redbreast, which still manages to peek through, albeit perhaps less than it deserves. It can certainly appeal to fans of the style, a well-crafted sherried whiskey with good depth.
Vote: 86/100