News

Published: 1st December 2023

Redbreast Irish Whiskey

(Some recommended Northern Ireland stockists at the bottom of this page)

Robin Redbreast here…

You’re probably wondering who I am.

Well, our beloved Redbreast whiskey is named after yours truly.  Back in 1912, the chairman of W&A Gilbey spotted the Robin Redbreast through the trees and decided on the name, there and then. The rest is history.

For more than a century Redbreast has stayed true to the Irish Pot Still whiskey-making tradition. Today it’s considered to be the definitive expression of this quintessential style of Irish whiskey making – a living legacy. Not that I am biased.

Redbreast 12 Year Old

Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in copper pot stills, our signature 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.

Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength

This cask strength expression gives a glimpse of Redbreast 12 in its natural, full flavoured taste.

Nose

Succulent exotic fruit with a little citrus, complementing deeper notes of dried apricot and sultana. Infusion of assorted spices and toasted wood.

Taste

Rich, fully rounded and mellow with luscious fruit and spices. Sweetness of vanilla and a touch of oak.

Finish

Satisfyingly long with the sophisticated combination of fruit and spices slowly giving way to toasted oak, then barley.

Redbreast Lustau

A unique collaboration between the Bodegas Lustau and the Midleton Distillery, Redbreast Lustau Edition is made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in copper pot stills.

Having spent its final maturation journey in casks seasoned with the finest Oloroso Sherry in the Bodegas Lustau, the result is the ultimate sherried style of Redbreast.

Nose

Rich infusion of dark fruits, prunes, dates and figs with liquorice, marzipan, toasted oak and aromatic spices.

Taste

Silky smooth Pot Still; assertive spices balanced with richness of the sherry finish and contribution of fresh Spanish Oak.

Finish

Endless. Sweetness and assorted spices endure while Oloroso Sherry and Spanish Oak have the last word.

Redbreast 15 Year Old

A careful balance of first fill and refill casks accentuates the assorted spices within Redbreast’s characteristic full and complex flavour, amplified through additional maturation.
Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in copper pot stills, Redbreast 15 is comprised exclusively of Pot Still whiskeys matured in the finest oak casks for no less than 15 years.

Nose

Full and rich with a complex yet balanced mix of berry fruits and aromatic oils.

Taste

Fully round and mellow with the succulence of fleshy fruit combined with spices and toasted wood.

Finish

Long and sophisticated.

Redbreast 21 Year Old

Using a style of Pot Still whiskey reflective of the Midleton Distillery tradition, Redbreast 21 represents the ultimate expression of Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. The 21 year ageing process introduces new levels of depth, flavour and taste, creating a complex and rewarding whiskey. Abundantly aromatic and fruitful, and produced in very limited quantities, this 21 year old Redbreast is a joy to behold in each and every bottle.

Nose

Remarkable aroma spanning fresh tropical fruits, nuts and rich dried fruit

Taste

Soft vanilla, toasted oak, sherry nuttiness with a dusting of spices. Luscious fleshy fruit notes complete the silky mouthfeel.

Finish

Lingers, seemingly forever, with oak and an assortment of spices and then, the final bow from barley – where it all began.

Redbreast 27 Year Old

The oldest permanent release in the Redbreast family, 27-Year-Old is a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey comprising exclusively of Pot Still whiskeys which have been triple distilled, matured in the finest bourbon, sherry and ruby port casks for no less than 27 years, and left untouched.

Nose

A succulent medley of exotic fruits, mango, pineapple, blood orange and ripe red berries are complemented by fresh herbs, aromatic oils and wood spices. Vanilla sweetness and treacle toffee add to the richness, while walnuts and toasted oak acknowledge the contribution from a supreme cask selection.

Taste

Incredibly rich in texture with a luxuriously fruity introduction. Ripe red fleshed plums, black cherries and summer berries are balanced by the prickle of a hint of chili oil. The taste evolves as cherry menthol introduces vanilla and cinnamon sweet spices combined with red pepper, nutmeg and toasted oak for an intriguing complexity.

Finish

A satisfyingly long balance of ripe fruit and wood spices, worthy of a journey of nearly three decades.

So now you’re in the know.

I’ll be working with the nice humans at Whiskey Club to keep you up to date about all things Redbreast, including future tastings and events in Northern Ireland.

Oh and don’t forget to tell a friend! #PassItOn

Where to buy Redbreast Irish Whiskey in Northern Ireland

County Antrim

Belfast: The Vineyard
Antrim: The Vintage
Larne: Centra

County Down

Kilkeel: KWM
Newry: Culloville House l Fiveways l Supervalu
Rathfriland: The Milestone
Banbridge: McGarry’s Fine Wines

County Armagh

Camlough: Dan’s l Hughes
Crossmaglen: O’Neill’s
Forkhill: Mulkerns
Jonesborough: First & Last l McGeough’s
Keady: Centra
Armagh: Centra Deansbridge

County Fermanagh

Enniskillen: Reilly’s l The Crushed Grape
Lisnaskea: Eurospar

County Tyrone

Coalisland: Beer Shed
Dungannon: Newell Stores
Strabane: Farmers Home
Stewartstown: The Winerack
Omagh: Ice
Aughnacloy: Supervalu

County Londonderry

Coleraine: Fairley’s Wines
Derry~Londonderry: Da Vincis
Stewartstown: Eurospar
Magherafelt: Winesellers l McSwiggans

 

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