Whisky: RedBreast 12 Year Old
Producer: Irish Distiller’s Ltd. (Pernod Ricard)
Distillery: New Midleton Distillery
Whisky Type: Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Region: County Cork, Ireland
Age: 12 years
ABV: 40%
Cask: ex-bourbon, ex-sherry
Price Range: $$
Redbreast is a brand of Irish Whiskey produced in County Cork by Midleton Distillery, owned by Irish Distillers Ltd (IDL), a subsidiary of French beverage conglomerate Pernod Ricard. Redbreast has been part of IDL since 1986 but was reintroduced to the market in 1991.
Originally produced by a Dublin wine and spirit merchant Gilbeys, which sourced new make spirit from Jameson distillery, matured, and bottled it under its name. A similar business to that of Mitchell & Son’s with the Spot Series.
A & W Gilbeys was founded in 1857 and began as a wine importer and later expanded into spirits. The whiskey bonder had three brands: Castle U P Irish Whiskey (33% under proof), Castle U V Irish Whiskey, and Castle D O Irish Whiskey as full proof.
The company started marketing Jameson Whiskey in 1887 using the letters J.J. to denote John Jameson & Sons as its source. At the time there were three expressions in its portfolio: Castle Grand JJ Six Year Old, Castle Liqueur JJ Ten Years Old, and Castle “JJ Liqueur” Whiskey Twelve Years Old.
According to the Midleton Distillery website:
“The first official reference to the brand name “Redbreast” appears in August 1912, when Gilbeys were selling “Redbreast” J.J. Liqueur Whiskey 12 Years Old, described as one of their “famous” brands.
The fact that this was already a famous brand suggests that it may have been the nickname for Gilbey’s Castle “J.J. Liqueur.”
The name “Redbreast” refers to the bird, Robin Redbreast, and attributed to the then Chairman of Gilbey’s, who was an avid bird fancier.”
According to Forbes Magazine, Redbreast Irish whiskey is the most awarded single pot still Irish Whiskey in the world and one of the most important representatives of the Irish Single Pot Still style. Unfortunately, the brand flies under the radar of many American whisky drinkers.
The Single Pot Still style requires a mash of at least 30% malted barley, and at least 30% unmalted barley with the remainder of the mash made of up to 5% of any other cereal grain (oat or rye). The Single Pot Still style must be made using only Pot Stills and is unique to Ireland.
The core range includes:
- Redbreast 12. Aged in ex-bourbon, predominantly in ex-sherry (Oloroso) casks, and bottled at 46% ABV. See tasting notes below.
- Redbreast 12 Cask Strength. Aged in ex-bourbon, predominantly in ex-sherry (Oloroso) casks, and bottled at 57.2% ABV.
- Redbreast Lustau Edition. Aged for 9 to 12 years in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, finished in first-fill sherry butts seasoned with Bodegas Lustau sherry and bottled at 46% ABV.
- Redbreast 15. Released in 2005. Aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry (Oloroso) and bottled at 46% ABV.
- Redbreast 21. Aged in ex-bourbon and 1st fill sherry casks and bottled at 46% ABV.
- Redbreast 27. Aged in ruby port casks, ex-bourbon, and ex-oloroso sherry. Bottled at 54.6% ABV.
Now the Tasting Notes for Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Nose: Oily and sweet with vanilla and a touch of dried fruits.
Palate: Delicate, sweet, and delicious fruit notes. Flavors of dried fruit and vanilla with a touch of oak spice are noticeable with an oily and light texture.
Finish: Short and refreshing with a delicate sherry influence.
Conclusion: This is a delicate and sweet whisky that asks you to pour more. A fun whiskey that delivers flavor without being overpowering. The brand is one of the first Irish Whiskies I had and a benchmark for the Irish Pot Still style. Those looking for a more intense whiskey can look for Redbreast Cask Strength bottled at 57.2% ABV.
I also liked that my bottled came with a bird feeder 😊 Slainte!
Score: 3.75/5 ⭐
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