Redbreast 12-Year Single Pot Still Whiskey Review

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Irish Distillers

• MASH BILL: Malted and un-malted barely

• AGE: 12 years

• YEAR: 2022

• DISTILLATION: Pot distilled

• PROOF: 80 proof (40% ABV)

• MSRP: $65

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any whiskey fan, especially those who love subtle sips.

WORTH THE PRICE: No question at all. A true standard bearer for the Irish whiskey category.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Can we up this to “Bottles?” If you can find multiples, get a couple.

OVERALL: I’m fairly new to Irish whiskey, and I’ve been “coached” to keep away from more powerfully flavored bourbon in order to reset my palate for the subtleties of Irish whiskey. Well, in this job, that’s hard to do, so I just gave Irish its fighting chance among the fray. It’s delicious on its own; it doesn’t need anything else to stand down, though I’d agree, don’t drink bourbon before drinking this.

The nose is subtle, so take some time to let it open up. Toasted malt eventually comes to the fore, followed by golden raisins, a whiff (at best) of baking spice, then a little cocoa. There’s none of the isopropyl back notes you get from lesser examples of this resurging category. Mouthfeel is creamy and the finish is surprisingly long for a low-proof spirit aged in used cooperage

BRAND NOTES

ABOUT 12 YEAR OLD

Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in copper pot stills, Redbreast 12 boasts the flavour complexity and distinctive qualities of Pot Still whiskey. Matured in a combination of Bourbon seasoned American Oak barrels and Oloroso Sherry seasoned Spanish oak butts, the distinctive Redbreast sherry style is a joy to behold in each and every bottle.

NOSE

A complex spicy and fruity aroma with toasted wood notes evident.

TASTE

Full flavoured and complex; silky smooth with a harmonious balance of spicy, fruity, sherry and toasted notes.

FINISH

Satisfyingly long, the complex flavours linger on the palate.