Fantastic 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey

And please remember, that as of now we can ship spirits only within the state of New York.

Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Whiskey

I first tried this whiskey about 12 years ago when the brand was introduced to the US. This whiskey was one of the first premium Irish whiskey’s that were available. Before this only the Midleton and Knappogue whiskey’s were available in the United States.

Until the time of the Prohibition Irish Single pot still whiskey’s was the most popular style of whiskey consumed around the world, and according to Midleton “is regarded as the quintessential style of Irish whiskey”. Irish Single Pot Still whiskey are made from a mash of mostly malted barley with some unmalted barley. The mash is then distilled three times. By comparison Single Malts from Scotland or any other place have to be made from 100% malted barley and is distilled twice in Scotland. This style of Irish whiskey fell out of favor in the early 1900’s, partly in due in part to the rise of cheaper, less intense blended whiskeys. This declining demand, the Irish War of Independence and the era of Prohibition in the U.S. resulted in most Irish whiskeys either being reformulated as blends or discontinued. In 1966 there were only three distilleries left in the Republic of Ireland – from over 80 in the 1880’s. The largest was Irish Distillers, which makes Jameson. However companies that there were bonders and importers of sherry and port continued to sell Single pot still whiskey’s. These companies went to the John Jameson’s distillery with their empty barrels and filled them with whiskey. This whiskey was then aged in their own wine cellars and warehouses. One of these companies sold the “Spot” whiskey’s, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, etc. Another was W & A Gilbeys, whose chairman named a couple of his whiskeys after birds because he was a member of the Royal Ornithological Society. The only brand to survive is Redbreast, which was purchased in the 1980s by Irish Distillers, the producer of Jameson.

This whiskey is distilled at the Midleton distillery using copper pot stills and aged in Ex-Bourbon casks and Oloroso sherry casks.

Nose:

The nose of this whiskey is rich, a bit sweet and typical of Single Pot Still whiskey’s with aromas of malt, grass or maybe hay. There are also aromas of apple, some cinnamon, fruit, vanilla, nuts – hazelnut fading into almonds or marzipan with just a hint of spicy notes that make me think of cake, with citrus and some oak at the end.

Flavor and finish:

The first sip is very complex with many flavors competing for attention that just go off in all directions. There is spiciness, hints of pepper, raisins or maybe sherry, honey – such as buckwheat or heather honey, with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and nuts that again remind me of cake. The finish goes on for a very long time with the spice fading into cake, vanilla and oak.

Conclusion:

This whiskey deserved the selection of “Irish Whiskey of the year” by Jim Murray’s Choice with 96 points in his 2010 Whisky Bible. While not a powerhouse, the Redbreast 12 Year Old is just delicious, fresh, very smooth and very complex, yet light and almost too easily drinkable.

96 points, Whisky Advocate

Very elegant, complex, and stylish. Honeyed and silky in texture, with toffee, toasted marshmallow, nougat, maple syrup, banana bread, and a hint of toasted coconut. Bright fruit and golden raisin blend in nicely with the layers of sweetness. Impeccable balance and very approachable. Classic Irish whiskey! (Value Pick). John Hansell, Winter 2010.

93 points, Wine Enthusiast

From county Cork comes this bartender favorite. Look for a vibrant golden color and enticing honeysuckle and buttery brioche aroma. This whiskey feels soft and sets the mouth watering with lightly smoky notes tapering off to jazzy layers of honey, dried fruit, cinnamon and ginger. Kara Newman, 3/1/2012.

Regular price $63.99

Special price $59.98

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