Redbreast 15 Year

A look at several Redbreast expressions. I first encountered Redbreast 12 over twenty years ago, when a friend who lived in Dublin asked me to bring some back from my business trips, as it wasn't available in the US then. I remember enjoying it, but not as much as my friend did. After a short time, I moved on to explore other whiskies. But we've reconnected. Redbreast 12-Year The liquid is a clear amber hue. The aroma is heavy on vanilla, with hints of honey and lemon, much like the Nikka Coffey Malt I tried recently, but less intense. There are also notes of papaya, spiced candied peanuts, subtle clove, and toast. The taste echoes the spiced candied peanuts, or pralines, followed by a mild spice and light vanilla on the finish. Compared to the others, the Redbreast 12 seems a bit weak. It's disappointing that this classic Irish whiskey, with a 12-year age statement, is bottled at only 80 proof. I find that unacceptable. This isn't a common, entry-level Jameson or Bushmills; it costs $70. Would I purchase it again? I want to say yes. The R12 is fundamental for an Irish Whiskey collection. However, it's a poor deal compared to others. I'll drink it happily and enjoy it. 3.5 out of 5 stars. 40% ABV. 12-year age statement. Redbreast 15-Year A deep, rich amber color, almost burnt orange like the Lustau (still a similar hue). Initially, there's a sweet, intriguing cotton candy aroma that isn't overpowering. This leads into notes of raspberry chocolate truffles, buttery Irish scones, Concord grape juice, sandalwood, applesauce, latte, orange zest, and Christmas cake. It also has apricot notes after tasting the Tawny Port Edition. The palate has a light texture, and the flavor shifts from fruity to more woody and spicy, with a finish of papaya, vanilla, and baking spices. The Redbreast 15 is excellent. Its complexity and refinement suggest what the 12 could be like at a slightly higher proof. The 15-year typically sells for around $140. Would I buy it again? Yes. 4.5 out of 5 stars. 46% ABV. 15-year age statement. Redbreast Lustau Edition Burnt orange in color, darker than the 12-year and similar to the 15-year, as expected from a sherry cask finish. The sherry influence is undeniable: notes of dried figs, mulled cider, prunes, clove, molasses, and a touch of vanilla. These flavors come across as more savory on the palate, with a hint of saltiness and a slight oiliness. The finish has notes of dates, brown sugar, and a little chili spice. The Redbreast Lustau Edition resembles a more refined Macallan, though a bit less polished, but with clear family traits. It's available for about $75. Would I buy it again? Absolutely. 4.25 out of 5 stars. 46% ABV. NAS. Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition (To be clear, this is not cask strength.) It has a similar deep amber hue. The nose is less expressive than the Lustau, initially presenting a slightly musty aroma that evolves into the nutty character of tawny port itself, then shifts to brown sugar, French toast with cinnamon, cut grass, chives, and cool spearmint. It has a slightly vegetal quality, with even a green bell pepper undertone. The mouthfeel is lightly viscous and sharply defined with brown sugar and walnut flavors. The alcohol is less integrated on the palate compared to the Lustau, and the finish has notes of sorghum syrup and a hint of woody, tannic bitterness. This expression comes in an attractive box, but the mauve pink color is more reminiscent of ruby port than tawny. If I were in charge of marketing, I'd have chosen a tan shade. But I'm getting off track. I tasted these over three days, and my impression of the Tawny Port Edition lessened somewhat. This Redbreast currently costs $99. Would I buy it again? Perhaps. 3.75 out of 5 stars. 46% ABV. NAS. This review explores Redbreast's offerings to become more acquainted with the brand. Their website features polished but questionable branding. A QR code on the 12-year bottle offers a "virtual experience" with an augmented reality robin, which I found unimpressive and non-interactive. It essentially overlays a bird mascot and birdhouse onto your phone's camera view. Why? The "Drinks" section of the website promotes high-end cocktails. Who would use a $70, 12-year-old whiskey in a mixed drink? While some can afford it and quality ingredients are important for craft cocktails, is aged whiskey truly meant to be a premium or super-premium mixer? It's not a budget spirit. Redbreast's site highlights age statements, typically for enthusiasts. From an inventory standpoint, distillers can't hold vast amounts of aged stock; it decreases exponentially with age. Pernod Ricard expects inventory to sit for 12 years, then be diluted to 40% ABV for cocktails? From a business perspective, it makes more sense to offer an NAS option for cocktails and generate more revenue by not holding onto aged stock. My finance background makes this business model perplexing. There's a significant disconnect between marketing and business strategy. Returning to the whiskey, the 15-year is the clear standout, followed by the Lustau, Tawny Port, and then the 12-year. I suspect the 12 would be much improved at the 46% ABV of the others. I appreciate Redbreast's experimentation with different cask finishes and would like to see the Lustau become a permanent fixture. These are expensive spirits. The Lustau offers the best value, and the 15-year is very good. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Friends suggest I explore more Irish Whiskies. So, what's a better starting point than a three-bottle selection of what's apparently among the finest Irish Whiskies available? Naturally, I began with the priciest of the trio, commencing my Redbreast exploration... The aroma is quite potent; don't inhale too deeply. You're immediately greeted by citrus zest, honey, and a touch of lemongrass. It's simultaneously vegetal and vibrant. The flavor offers a bit of everything. Initially, you get baking spice layered with citrus fruit. Mid-palate, it shifts to an intriguing butterscotch and caramel profile while the spice and citrus persist. The finish is considerably drier, introducing notes of grapefruit pith while retaining the baking spice. Closing your mouth and breathing through your nose reveals a hint of mint, not a cooling sensation but the actual taste of the herb. This is an intriguing spirit. It's spicier than I expected. I had hoped the butterscotch and caramel would be more prominent throughout the taste.

Review #65 - Whisk(e)y #47 Chill-filtered - No Added Colour - No ABV - 46% Appearance - Golden hue, oily texture in the glass. Nose - Mellow, hardly any alcohol burn, woody notes, different from the usual...sandalwood?, oak spice, herbal, grassy, honey, sweetness, caramel, vanilla, marzipan, dry. Palate - Creamy start, sharp spicy and dry middle, sweet, malty, caramel, honey, herbal, notes of orchard fruit, well-integrated dried fruit. Finish - Medium length, creamy, vegetal notes, dry aftertaste with dried fruit, woody, a very faint bitterness...subtle raisins. Compared to the Lustau, this is brighter, with less sherry influence and no distinct dried fruit like figs. The Lustau seemed more intriguing...However, from this selection, this appears to be the most mellow, with the most harmoniously combined flavors. It's much more approachable and easier to enjoy. My preference order is likely Lustau > 15yo >>> 12yo.

Smell: Caramel, cinnamon, raisins, musty grain, copper, spiced orange, and moderate ethanol. Taste: Mild honey and caramel, raspberry, creamy malt, anise, and orange compote. The finish is medium and oily, with dry sherry dark fruits, oak tannins, cardamom, black pepper, and light ethanol. This is the least valuable of the three spirits in the OHLQ Redbreast tasting set, which includes this, the Lustau, and the 12 Year for $14.99. The 15 Year normally costs $40-50 more than the other two, so you should definitely skip it. It's a bit better than the 12 Year, smoother and more refined, with more sherry and ethanol. However, it's not as good as the Lustau.

Noses: The 15 is spicier and woodier on the nose compared to the 12. The 12 has a fresh, fruity, petrichor malt note on the nose. The 15 offers darker cinnamon, vanilla extract, and honey. The 12 has a vanilla ice cream note. Palates: The 12 is clean, fruity, and slightly drying. The malt chewiness is present early, definitely with a shortbread note. Citrus peel. A slight sherry influence. The 15 is noticeably oilier, with fried banana being a good descriptor. Still creamy and smooth. Nutmeg. Finishes: The 15 has citrus peel and a slight peppermint note. The 12 is very creamy with mild spiciness.

Aroma: fruity, buttery, like baked desserts with a flaky, crisp texture (think strudel or pie), honey, wood spices, vanilla. Palate: deep with ripe fruits, sherry, a pleasant sweetness, an oiliness that coats the mouth well, baking spices, barrel spices, a subtle smoky char from the barrel, the finish has some length and evolves with a hint of nuttiness. Overall, a very smooth and rich Irish whiskey. Is it truly good? Absolutely. But is it worth an additional $90 compared to the 12-year offering? Regrettably, I don't believe so.