2023 Redbreast Iberian Series PX Edition Review
In-Depth Review
Recently, the excitement around Redbreast seems to have waned. Perhaps it’s the steadily rising prices, the slew of special editions, or the fact that it’s marketing has gone a bit non-traditional (Redbreast 12 bird feeders anyone?), but whatever it is, Redbreast doesn’t feel as special as it once did. Despite that, Redbreast is still the best-selling single pot still Irish in the world – and continues to be triple distilled by Midleton Distillery in their massive copper pot stills. And while it may feel like Redbreast 12 has become ubiquitous on bars around the world, the brand still has a few tricks up its sleeve.
Enter Redbreast PX Edition. Part of Redbreast’s Iberian Series, this PX expression was initially matured in ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks before being finished in Pedro Ximénez hogsheads from Spain for a minimum of 12 months. Coming in at 46% ABV and featuring an MSRP that has risen considerably since its launch, this 2023 iteration should be full of everything we love about Redbreast – just with a heavier emphasis on sherry. Let’s dive in and find out if this is worth the extra coin over the Redbreast you know and love.
Age: Non-Age Stated
ABV: 46%
Cask: Aged in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks then finished in Pedro Ximénez casks.
MSRP: Around $120
Distillery Name: Midleton Distillery
Review Date: 4/3/25
Color: Deep, rich toffee
Nose: The nose begins with waves of fresh sherry wood before blossoming into bright pot still funk with lemongrass and warm raisin pudding. It’s got the unmistakable Redbreast brightness, but with more of that young sherry coming through with sweet bread, sticky dates, spiced nuts and treacle syrup. It’s not as heavy of a sherry as you might expect from PX casks but remains pleasant and enjoyable.
Palate: On the palate I expected a wallop of dark PX sherry but instead got something quite balanced and bright with more stewed fruits, candied orange, crystalized ginger, and rum cake. Its mouthfeel is light than I expected, and it feels like its missing a deep bass note.
Finish: Medium length finish full of spiced red fruit, toasted almonds, light oak, and more pot still funk. As it settles, there’s a slight metallic twinge - almost as though I can taste those massive copper pot stills Midleton is famous for.
Final Thoughts: I love Redbreast. For years, Redbreast 12 Cask Strength was my desert island bottle. So, when I came into this review, I had high hopes. A special edition Redbreast combining that pot still funk with a heavy dose of sherry? What could be better? But after spending time with Redbreast PX Edition, I was left a touch disappointed. I was expecting a complete ode to Irish sherry maturation and instead was left without any of the deep sherry bass notes I was expecting. Instead, the 2023 version of Redbreast PX was too bright, with too much treble for me. The palate feels like its missing something. And I had to deduct points for its price creeping up above $100. Overall, the nose is great, the finish is good, but the palate just didn’t hit for me. For a few bucks less, I would happily take Redbreast 12 Cask Strength to my desert island for the rest of my days.
