Irish Distillers has unveiled the fourth release in the Redbreast Dream Cask series, the Oloroso Sherry Edition. The new offering is a 29-year-old single pot still whiskey.
Produced at the Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, Redbreast Dream Cask Oloroso Sherry Edition is a vatting of four Irish whiskeys, matured for a minimum of 29 years in ex-Bourbon, Sherry and ruby Port-seasoned casks. The whiskeys were married in a single Oloroso sherry butt from Jerez de la Frontera in Spain’s Andalusia region and left to mature for a further 15 months.
Bottled at 51.2% ABV, the whiskey offers aromas of liquorice, leather and nutmeg reminiscent of Andalusian bodegas. On the palate, it delivers notes of dark brown sugar, succulent berries and vanilla, along with dried fruits, herbs and toasted oak to go along with Redbreast’s trademark spices.
“There is no greater joy in my job than to come across an excellent cask while conducting a sensory assessment of our whiskeys. It is from four such outstanding casks that this year’s Redbreast Dream Cask was born,” said Master Blender Billy Leighton. “To craft the 2021 expression, we experimented with new ways of vatting, marrying and finishing to create something greater than the sum of its parts and we are delighted with the result. Redbreast Dream Cask Oloroso Sherry Edition is undeniably special and yet unmistakably Redbreast and we are honoured to pass it on to our Birdhouse members.”
Blender Dave McCabe added, “The liquorice aromas from the Redbreast Dream Cask 2021 instantly transports us to the bodegas of Jerez, celebrating Redbreast’s relationship with the region for over three decades. Sherry seasoned casks have been at the heart of Redbreast Irish Whiskey since its resurrection in 1991 and we are thrilled that this year’s Dream Cask could pay homage to that iconic relationship.”
Only 924 bottles of Redbreast Dream Cask Oloroso Sherry Edition will be available exclusively through an online ballot hosted on the brand’s private members’ club, The Birdhouse. To join the club, head over to Redbreast’s official website. The ballot will be open from 17 to 25 May, with the whiskey priced at €520 ($630 USD) per 500ml bottle.
