Redbreast 12 Year Old

A little background

Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is distilled at Midleton Distillery located in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland which also produces Jameson and Tullamore Dew. The whiskey is aged 12 years and uses a 50% malted barley and 50% unmalted barley mashbill. Redbreast 12 Year is triple distilled in copper pot stills and bottled at 80 proof. It is matured in a combination of bourbon seasoned American Oak barrels and Oloroso Sherry seasoned Spanish oak butts. This is a blended whiskey that comes in at a price of around $55.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Honey

Nose

The nose is full of honey and bright red fruit such as raspberry. There are also some toasted oak notes as well as the typical copper pot still note that comes from most Irish whiskey. I also get a pleasant mixture of ground cinnamon and clove.

Palate

The palate is light, but the notes of raspberry, oak, and cinnamon carry through from the nose. The whiskey skips the front palate and goes straight to the mid and back palate with a big sherry note.

Finish

Redbreast 12 Year has a short finish with notes of clove, cinnamon, and something that resembles a strawberry jam. The copper note lingers in the background.

In closing

Redbreast 12 Year is a whiskey to I would recommend for someone who is new to the Irish whiskey category. It is pleasant, does not overpower the palate, and presents some quality flavors at a reasonable price of $55 considering the whiskey is 12 years old.