Redbreast 12 Cask Strength Review
In-Depth Review
I’ll be honest and say that Redbreast has always been my favorite line of Irish whiskies. There is something about Midleton and the Redbreast line in particular that has really connected with me. Maybe it’s their use of sherry casks mixed with pot still whiskey that just hits a nerve with me. They always seem to capture this delicate and elegant balance between sweet, tart, and Irish whiskey goodness. And with Redbreast 12 Cask Strength being the full-bodied, undiluted, non-chill filtered, no color added, highest ABV whiskey in the Redbreast core lineup, you can imagine this should be to be one incredible experience.
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 56.2%
Batch: B1/18
Cask: Mixture of ex-bourbon barrels and ex-Oloroso Sherry casks
MSRP: Around $70
Distillery Name: Midleton
Review Date: 12/6/20
Color: Light Yellow Gold
Nose: Immediately this is something special. Lucious nose full of fruits, shortbread, dark cherries, sweet custard and cream. Flaky pastry mixed with a tart lemon filling. Lemon bars with a dab of whipped cream on top. Deep, rich, and full of complexity.
Palate: Sexy, elegant, and grin inducing. First come the stone fruits, with almonds, peaches, and cherries. Orange peel mixed with danish shortbread cookies. Crumbly cookie with toasted butter and lightly roasted marshmallows. Sweet and fruity, and quite playful. This is light to medium whiskey, with a rich body but drinks much lighter than a typical cask strength whisky. It would play well with even a novice whiskey drinker.
This is pure Irish whiskey deliciousness. All of the un-adulterated flavors without the brash and in your face attitude.
Finish: Medium to long finish with a building heat. The sweet and fruity palate is now mixed with a bit of chili powder and and graham cracker. It finishes up with toasted whipped topping with more of the lemon shortbread mixed with marzipan.
Final Thoughts: This is absolutely one of the greatest whiskies I’ve ever had. Not just one of the greatest Irish whiskies, but truly a seminal moment in my whiskey experience. When I drink this whiskey, I wonder why I drink anything else. There is so much to love here, from the complex custard and cream nose, to the sweet, shortbread pastry palate to the marzipan and graham cracker finish, this whiskey truly takes you on a ride. If you asked me today if I could only buy one more bottle of whiskey for the rest of time, this would be it.
Ask me again tomorrow and it may change. But for now, Redbreast 12 Cask Strength is that special of a bottle for me.
