Redbreast 12 Cask Strength - Last Drop Review
Last Drop Review
A review designed to explore how a bottle changes over the time it’s opened.
Age: 12 year
ABV: 56.2%
Batch: B1/18
Cask: Mixture of ex-bourbon barrels and ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks
MSRP: Around $70
Distillery Name: Midleton Distillery
Open For: 1.5+ Years
Opinion Through the Bottle: When I first bought this bottle I wasn’t sure what it’d be like. I had extremely limited experience with Irish whiskies (save for a night or two drinking Jameson) but I had heard great things. As I look back on the bottle, after keeping it open for more than a year and a half, I wholeheartedly believe it’s one of the best whiskies currently on the market.
This whiskey has everything. Sweet, creamy, and with just enough heat, to elevate all the wonderful notes. As I take my last sips of this bottle, I remember flavors of whipped cream, citrus, light wood, lemon shortbread for days, marzipan, sweet ripe fruits, lovely honey syrup, and a zesty acidic quality that evens out all that sweetness. There’s even a toasty nuttiness on the finish that I feel only showed up after the bottle had been open a while.
I’ve told a few people that if I had to choose one readily available bottle (in my area I am lucky) that I would drink the rest of my life – this would be it. And as I finish this B1/18 batch, that’s still rings true. And while Redbreast 21 scores just a tad higher, that bottle doesn’t make sense financially to keep well stocked. But this bottle – at under $70 and full cask strength – is the real deal. I’d argue this bottle that opened me up to an entire world of Irish whiskey. Truly is one of the greats and would recommend to anyone who’s looking a lighter, sweeter, yet deeply complex and rewarding whiskey. And while the proof is high, it’s not hot and unapproachable. Redbreast 12 Cask Strength is a trip. But one absolutely worth taking.
Score: 97
Will I restock this? Unequivocally yes. Absolutely. I’m actually leaving right now to go grab another bottle. It’s that good.
