Redbreast PX Edition

This is the first bottling of Redbreast Iberian Series. Many Scotch and bourbon brands utilize the yearly NAS release strategy, so it's good to see Redbreast starting this trend for Ireland. I believe this PX line has been reissued, but this is from the initial batch. Let's explore. Nose: Gala apple, toffee, caramel, and vanilla. It reminds me of shortbread cookies. Plum, raisin, date, fig, and cranberry suggest the PX influence. Orange citrus and milk chocolate are present. Blackberry and raspberry add an interesting layer. Black pepper, cinnamon, baking spice, and oak are also detected. Palate: Orange citrus and milk chocolate are the primary flavors. Vanilla pecan ice cream, nougat, and toffee are noticeable. Butterscotch is present. Some apricot and gala apple appear in the background. It resembles shortbread cookies. Golden raisin, date, and fig are there. Cranberry, blackberry, and raspberry are also detected. A slightly tart plum comes through in the mid-palate. Peach is present too. Even orange sherbet. Cinnamon and oak are on the palate. Finish: Plum, date, fig, raisin, and cranberry. Orange citrus, milk chocolate, vanilla, and toffee are present. Shortbread cookies, honey, and butterscotch are also detected. Black pepper, cinnamon, baking spice, and oak are in the finish. It's a moderate-to-long finish, leaning towards the longer side. The initial aroma was somewhat subtle. I thought it improved as it opened up and was quite good once it did. For a 46% ABV spirit, the finish was robust. And the palate—outstanding. The cask selection must have been superb to make this flavor profile so vibrant. Of course, all the typical Irish notes were there, but they took a backseat to the PX notes—which justifies my costly NAS purchase. It truly lives up to its name. Speaking of the expense, I spent $110 on this. It's certainly a high price for an NAS in a brand-new line of cask experiments. And yet, I can confidently say my money was well invested in this one. Overall, this gets a 4.5/5. Perhaps my sense of smell is slightly impaired due to the pollen currently filling the air in Jersey. I have enough for one more serving, so I will be sure to re-examine my notes for the aroma when my face is less swollen. Regardless, there's no question that this is an excellent whiskey. I am eagerly anticipating trying the Tawny Port next. Fantastic stuff from Redbreast here.

This Redbreast PX Cask Edition has no age statement and is bottled at 46% ABV. After initially maturing in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, it undergoes a finishing period of at least 12 months in PX sherry casks. This is the 2013 release. The suggested retail price is $100, but it's often found for at least $130 in my area. This bottle confirmed for me that PX sherry is an ideal complement to Redbreast whiskey. It's a perfect after-dinner indulgence. Whether you prefer Scotch, bourbon, or even Grand Marnier, this whiskey should appeal if you enjoy drinking spirits neat. I offered it to a guest whose usual drink is Grand Marnier (which I keep on hand mainly for cooking). She preferred this whiskey over the Grand Marnier and felt it resembled Grand Marnier more than Dewar’s Signature did. That's the kind of dessert-like experience this whiskey provides. While I don't find it identical to Grand Marnier, there are certainly hints of it present. The aroma offers notes of grapes and raisins mingled with maple syrup and orange zest, all built upon a foundation of buttered waffles and French toast. The palate develops into chocolatey and marmalade-like flavors, followed by a finish that is spicy with cloves and vanilla, leaving a lingering taste of your choice of delicious jam: grape, apricot, or raspberry. So, where I am, this whisky carries a bit of a secondary market premium, with prices reaching as high as $180. It's worth seeking out for a lower price, but even the higher price is justified. This is a bottle that will satisfy both dedicated whiskey drinkers and those who don't typically favor whiskey.

The nose is abundant with fruit, and as I tried to identify them, it struck me – it strongly resembles fruit cocktail, which (I had to verify) typically includes peaches, pears, pineapple, grapes, and cherries. So, yes, all those notes are there. It also has hints of dates, plum, a touch of licorice, and the aroma of soft, freshly cut oak. It's a very inviting scent. The palate lives up to the nose. I'll mention that only pear and grape from that fruit cocktail aroma make it to the palate, alongside notes of date, fig, toffee, golden raisin, milk chocolate, pomegranate, and nutmeg. The flavors are richer than the 92 proof might suggest. The texture is light and airy, a perfect complement to the flavor profile and proof. It's challenging to describe a whiskey this fruity and sweet as "balanced," but perhaps "harmonious" is fitting, as everything comes together quite perfectly. The finish transitions smoothly and gradually from the palate. Oak and spices emerge, introducing a slight bitterness that prevents the sweetness from becoming overwhelming. The main part of the finish is relatively brief, but lingering notes of allspice and cinnamon persist much longer than anticipated. Darker and sweeter than the Lusteau edition, this is truly a delight. Now, I need to vent: damn you Redbreast! Damn you straight to hell for creating a delicious 92 proof whiskey that retails for $119.00! Grrr. The price point is literally the only thing preventing this from receiving a perfect 5.0 score. And yet… I might still buy another. I clearly have a problem with delectable, high-priced Irish Whiskeys. Someone intervene.

My wonderful wife enjoys Irish Whiskey nearly as much as I adore her. I actually believe she might prefer a bottle of Redbreast 27 over me if given the chance. To maintain marital harmony, I make an effort to bring home a nice bottle for her frequently. I had heard about this release but hadn't encountered a bottle until today. Since whiskey is meant for enjoyment, this one is being opened tonight. The nose is subtle but sweet, with hints of raisin and a slight mustiness. I'm not saying that critically, just unsure of a better way to describe it. There isn't a specific age statement on this bottle, but it seems to have spent a decent amount of time in barrels. The first sip is fruit-forward. The barrels have imparted a subtle raisin note to this dram. There's a little warmth that briefly flares into a soft burn during the sip before leaving an almost port-like finish. What's interesting is that as the port flavor fades, a subtle bourbon edge emerges with a caramel sweetness (reminiscent of the finish on a toasted barrel). Each sip reveals more complexity as all these flavors surface. Redbreast continues to be my personal benchmark for Irish Whiskey. I have yet to find a bottle that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. This one is no exception. The fact that the aging and finishing processes have been so expertly executed that the individual characteristics of the barrels are preserved is truly a delight. If you happen upon a bottle of this, I strongly recommend you try it.

The newest Redbreast release, featuring my two favorite letters together: "PX". This "Iberian Edition" was aged in ex-Bourbon casks and Oloroso sherry, then finished for at least 12 months in a PX sherry butt. Redbreast always means a good drink. It has a tawny color and is bottled at 46% ABV. On the nose, it's exactly what you'd expect. Dried oranges, quince dessert, red roses (very floral), and a light vanilla cake. There are some fig notes, and a hint of sugar. After the first sip, it offered passion fruit and other tropical fruits like dragon fruit. It also had notes of church wine and a wonderful coffee with milk. On the palate, it's as sweet as expected. Chocolate, oranges, and vanilla. It's truly a citrus delight. Also has a hay note. The finish follows suit with a hint of peat. A "grain whisky" vanilla note. Chocolate, tobacco. It's actually smoky and a bit earthy. This was a really good drink, especially when enjoyed with a crème brûlée, as I did. A sweet expression with some smokiness is always pleasant. My rating is 87 out of 100.

There are so many positive reviews, contrasting with my initial dislike of the kentucky oak (though it improved over time) and my never-ending lack of appreciation for the Lastu (is that spelled correctly?). But for $99 in 2024, this felt adequate. nose - All my worries vanish as I detect Redbreast-like vanilla, grainy, earthy notes from the pot stills, with a light and not overpowering PX influence. No signs of over-oaking! Taste - This is delightful, sticky PX sweetness layered over Redbreast. The balance between the two is also good. It leans more towards Redbreast than PX. It has a good combined effect on the finish. Berry jam, toasted oak, toffee, mild spices. I realize I'm reviewing this primarily as a Redbreast and not strictly as a whiskey, but I doubt anyone interested would mind because they understand what I mean when I mention Redbreast. I'll rate this 2.25. For the price at $100, add 0.5 stars. Keep in mind I score on a 4.0 scale, so the points beyond that are exceptional. I believe this is a great purchase and I'm pleased I acquired it. However, it lacks a "wow" factor. It's simply a good, solid whiskey.