Redbreast Small Batch (2021)

Nose: Buttery shortbread cookies, yet with bright pineapple and citrus notes floating above. A warm, sweet, floral aroma is also present, with hints of oak and vanilla. It brings to mind fig newtons with frosting. The alcohol content is not immediately apparent, though it makes itself known if you linger with your nose in the glass. Clearly Irish, but denser, richer, and somewhat more engaging. Just a subtle touch of herbal and grassy elements. Palate: Truly concentrated Irish character - shortbread cookies with vanilla. Figs. Creamy with a substantial medium-dense mouthfeel. A bit of barrel bite and some decent tannins emerge. Chocolate, raspberries, blueberry sauce. Nutmeg and clove. Black licorice. Black pepper. Slightly oily and coats the palate. All of this resides in the mid-range and mid-palate. Finish: A large burst of licorice, flowers, and ethanol. Oak and sweet vanilla gradually advance, followed by a fiery cinnamon and pepper one-two punch. Some bitterness also surfaces, then things calm down with chocolate-covered bananas, vanilla, and whipped cream. The oil content contributes to a lingering sensation, providing a medium-long finish. Other comments: This reminds me of two things. First, it's akin to Stagg Jr., but for Irish whiskey – a concentrated spirit with flavors and aromas amplified to the maximum. Second, it's like Jameson Caskmates Stout, but elevated. While the proof is certainly noticeable, it's not overly harsh, instead offering a more balanced, moderated heat that keeps things interesting. I have no prior experience with the renowned Red Breast 12 Cask Strength, so this evaluation is not influenced by that specific bottling. However, as good as this is, it falls slightly short. I desire greater richness, more density, and less bright fruit. There are no inherent flaws, mind you. It's simply not the profile I seek from this particular brand. Perhaps something I'll revisit occasionally, but not a staple I feel compelled to keep stocked. Difficult to recommend considering the price, though if you're searching for something more robust, bolder, and distinct from typical Irish offerings, this might suit your needs. Cheers!

Aroma - red berry, confectioners' sugar, marshmallow, honey, fig, vanilla cream, shortbread cookie, walnut, caramel, pineapple skin, grass, bitter herbal notes, nutmeg, clove, anise, banana, toasted coconut, raisin bread, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - cherry, strawberry, peach, honey, spearmint, ginger, chili pepper, caramel, vanilla, shortbread cookie, walnut, anise, apple, allspice, nutmeg, cocoa, plum, moderate to high alcohol bite, finishing medium length with red berry, spearmint, and herbal flavors. After considerable thought, I decided to acquire the new and improved Redbreast Cask Strength, now without an age statement. Sarcasm fully intended. They even boldly maintained the price of its 12 Year predecessor. In some locations, it's actually pricier. So, has this new NAS version given Redbreast the freedom to create batches that significantly surpass the quality of the original? Let's see. Red berries are prominent on the aroma. Following closely are honey, the familiar shortbread cookies, a touch of tropical fruit, and creamy vanilla. In fact, I'm getting strong strawberries and cream or fruity parfait vibes. The palate mirrors the same fruitiness, but also features a very pronounced spearmint flavor. Chocolate and baking spices are present too, but herbal notes provide the primary counterpoint to those honeyed and sherried fruits. In summary, I don't believe this surpasses the 12 Year Cask Strength. As anticipated, it tastes noticeably younger. The dark, dried fruits are replaced by bright red ones. Furthermore, the strong minty, herbal notes are an unwelcome addition in my view. Generally, this is very good, but it pales in comparison to the original. This assessment is based on the initial pour, so perhaps some of the brightness will diminish in a few months. I will post an update if it improves significantly, but I doubt it. I should have trusted my gut and skipped this one, but unfortunately, I'm $120 short for a whiskey that's likely worth just over half that.

For me, Redbreast and the Spot expressions typically represent the pinnacle of Irish whiskey. It was a difficult choice between Blue Spot and this bottle when offered. I chose this one based on its scarcity, so let's see if it was the correct decision... The aroma is sweet, with honey and perhaps a hint of clover. For a cask strength spirit, the alcohol in the aroma is surprisingly subtle. The initial taste is quite layered. Honey, golden raisins, and a touch of cinnamon come to mind immediately. A very pleasant warmth develops in the middle, but it's quite mild for a cask strength. The finish is where the Sherry becomes prominent, with notes of sweet wine and red berries fading away. While I'm certain the Blue Spot is excellent, I'm very glad I selected this bottle. The flavors are outstanding overall, and each sip seems to reveal more complexity. This is certainly not a dram to be hurried. I would readily purchase one again if I encountered it and strongly recommend you do the same!

I approached this tasting with some doubt, as I hadn't been particularly impressed by an Irish whiskey before. I anticipated liking it more than others I'd sampled, but didn't expect to want to purchase it. Sampling without knowing the spirit, the aroma suggested bourbon with a heavy dose of caramelized sugar, but it also seemed creamier and had a green apple note typical of Irish whiskey. The taste was more characteristic of an Irish, with the high proof concentrating the flavors. Considering the aroma, the palate was somewhat lacking, yet still enjoyable, especially for an Irish whiskey. I considered buying a bottle, but then noticed the price is around a hundred dollars, which is more than I'd prefer to spend for it. Much appreciation again to a friend for the sample! I'm very pleased to have had the chance to experience this one.

Nose: Licorice, grapefruit, kiwi. An intense dark red wine. Bitter chocolate. Espresso. Mocha. A strong oak influence is evident. Caramel. Toffee. Red apple. Plum, flower blossoms, pepper, malt emerge after a while. Taste: Shortbread cookie, crisp fresh red apple. A very sweet and bright citrus finish, almost like a sugared tangerine. A strong, typical Irish herbal aftertaste. A slight banana bread note as well. Adding water reveals the characteristic tropical Redbreast fruits like mango, guava, starfruit, and durian. It also brings out a dense floral honey and caramel.

I've never been a huge fan of Redbreast or cask strength expressions, but this has converted me! The aroma is full of cherry and dark fruit until ice is added. Then, more delicate notes emerge, almost like honeysuckle. The palate is sweet with honey and classic shortbread cookie, followed by a slight woody finish. I absolutely adore this one!