Created from a blend of whiskey aged in ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, cream sherry, and ruby port casks, Redbreast 18 Year Old delivers something complete new to the Irish whiskey world
Redbreast has unveiled its latest Irish whiskey, the 18 Year Old. The new expression utilizes cream sherry casks to add a unique and distinctive flavor to the final whiskey.
While creating Redbreast 18 Year Old, Master Blender David McCabe and Master Blender Emeritus Billy Leighton drew inspiration from the aged inventory at Midleton Distillery, while also embracing an array of cask types to introduce to the Redbreast portfolio. Crafted from malted and unmalted barley and triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills, this new expression has been aged in a combination of ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, cream sherry, and ruby port casks.
“The addition of Redbreast 18 Year Old to the Redbreast core range beautifully bridges the gap between our older and younger offerings,” said Master Blender David McCabe. “We wanted to unlock a new taste profile for the Redbreast permanent range while still offering something that feels distinctly Redbreast in its style. By incorporating the cream sherry casks, we’ve created a whiskey that boasts a rich profile of dark chocolate, blackcurrants, and hazelnuts. This expression not only honors our heritage but also showcases our commitment to innovation in Irish whiskey making.”
The addition of cream sherry casks from Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage, along with the more traditional cask profile portfolio, promises something both new and familiar. Not only do they unveil a delightful syrupy sweetness that complements the inherent Redbreast taste, the expression also introduces new flavors that take center stage. The resulting whiskey bursts with berry fruit aromas, toasted almond and cinnamon notes, hazelnut chocolate tones, and caramelized stone fruit sweetness.
The whiskey offers aromas of fresh berries, ripe blackcurrants, hazelnut chocolate and notes of toasted almonds and cinnamon, nestled alongside polished oak and worn leather. The palate delivers decadent sweetness and autumnal fruits as well as vibrant spices like freshly peeled ginger and hints of liquorice. The finish is rich and lasting with pot still spices, fruit and oak slowly working across the palate.
“The unveiling of Redbreast 18 Year Old is a moment of pride for us,” says Leighton. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have a variety of aged stock at Midleton Distillery, and with its unique flavor profile, we are confident this will be a welcome addition to whiskey enthusiasts’ collections and a delightful first-hand experience for those new to whiskey.”
Bottled at 46%, Redbreast 18 Year Old is available nationwide for an MSRP of $249.99. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
Back in May, Redbreast unveiled the final bottling in its Dream Cask collection, the 38-year-old Zenith Edition.
