Redbreast is considered by many to be one of the best Irish whiskey brands. In fact, we named the brand’s 12-year expression our favorite Irish whiskey, period. That track record will remain intact with the addition of this wonderful new 18-year expression.
Redbreast is a pot still distilled Irish whiskey, a category with a few specific guidelines: the whiskey is made from a blend of malted and unmalted barley (small amounts of other grains are allowed) and is pot still distilled in a distillery. Contrast this with single malt whiskey, which is made from a blend of 100% malted barley in a distillery, a style most often associated with Scotland.
The pot still mash bill imparts a unique fruit-forward flavor profile. And in the case of Redbreast, the types of casks used, typically a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, contribute greatly to the character of the whiskey.
Want the latest whisky news, deals and reviews? Sign up for the Whisky Wednesday newsletter.
Redbreast 18 sits right in the middle between the 15 and 21 year old expressions of the core series, but the specific types of casks it is aged in set it apart from the rest.
“The addition of Redbreast 18-Year-Old to our core range beautifully bridges the gap between our old and new offerings,” master blender David McCabe said in a statement. “By incorporating creamy sherry casks, we have created a whiskey with a rich profile of dark chocolate, blackcurrant and hazelnut.”
Cream sherry is a blend of sweet sherries. The use of these casks, sourced from the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage in Spain, brings something new to the Redbreast portfolio.
The whiskey is made at Midleton, a large distillery just outside Cork that also produces other well-known Irish whiskey brands like Jameson, Powers and Green Spot. It is triple distilled and then aged in a number of different casks: bourbon, oloroso sherry and cream sherry casks, plus some ruby port casks.
The 18 year old whiskey picks up big notes of oak and tannic spice, but is softened and balanced by the different types of barrels it has aged in over the course of nearly two decades. The resulting whiskey has notes of cherry syrup, grapes, butterscotch, fresh berries, dark chocolate, hazelnuts, blood orange and even a hint of Dr. Pepper on the palate.
The Redbreast portfolio is strong from top to bottom, starting with the 12-year-old model that forms the base of the series, all the way up to the exceptional (and expensive) 27-year-old model. The new Redbreast 18 sits right in the middle in terms of age and price, at $250. It’s not cheap, but it’s still a lot less than the $700 or more you’ll pay for the 27.
But the flavor is second to none. My advice to longtime Redbreast fans and newcomers to the category? If you see it in the wild, pick up this bottle and be sure to share it with your friends.
Related: I’ve Tasted Hundreds of Whiskeys. This Smooth Bottle Is One of the Best Values on Store Shelves