Featured at World Whisky Day 2023: The first Redbreast whiskey was released by W&A Gilbey, a wine merchant and importer, in 1903 under the name “John Jameson & Sons Castle JJ Liqueur Whiskey 12 Year Old” though it wasn’t known under the Redbreast name until 1912, so named due to the chairman of Gilbey’s being a bird enthusiast. While the sourcing of Redbreast has changed more than once it is currently distilled at the New Midleton Distillery after the Jameson Bow Street Distillery closed. The Redbreast line is the largest selling single pot still Irish whiskey in the world. The Redbreast 15 is comprised of malted and unmalted barley and has been matured in a mixture of both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, like all Redbreast whiskies.
Brand: Redbreast
Distillery: Midleton
Country: Ireland
Age: 15 years
Strength: 46%
Price: $94.99
Maturation: ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks
Location: Mildeton
Nose: Apricot, caramel, honey, apple blossom, brown sugar, grain, pear blossom
Palate: Tannin, sherry, apricot, vanilla, cream
Finish: Sherry, fruit, tannin
Comments: This seems almost two balanced to adjust. Then why is the call for use in a cocktail so strong? Failing that, this always lands well in a brand vertical tasting.
Adam – Breathing in the Redbreast 15 is like welcoming an old friend into your home. There’s springtime somewhere in there on the nose. Fruits and florals abound with a tight undercurrent of savory sweetness that evokes baked desserts. Comfortable and present without overwhelming. The palate begins with a short burst of tannins followed by apricot and vanilla. The wood carries you through into a finish of muddled fruits, not doubt aided by the sherry casks Redbreast uses in maturation process. A larger mouthful brings even more tannins to the fore but never unpleasantly so. This is really comfortable, enjoyable whiskey. The flavors are cohesive and balanced, nuanced right between subtle and bold. A delightful mezzo-forte of a dram that you didn’t know you needed until it was singing in your glass.
Kate – This smells like a peach cobbler. Apricot, cream, light brown sugar, oak, and pear blossoms on the nose. It is almost hot but just shy of that point. Sweet, oak, cream, and apricot explosion once you take a sip! Wow! I love the taste of this. This has spice, fruit, sweetness, oak and all of the things I look for in a summer whiskey, which is difficult to find. I love how it is difficult to find the line where the taste ends and the finish begins. It isn’t hot.
Bill – There’s a creaminess that comes out on the nose eventually. Reminds me of Life Savers Cream Savers. So unique and so different at the same time and nothing else is like it. It hits me that way. It’s light.
I love how it is difficult to find the line where the taste ends and the finish begins.
Henry – Candied apricot, apple blossom, brown sugar, and cream on the nose. Beautiful and refined sherry bloom on the palate and finish, but a bit of a letdown after the extravagance of the nose! A beautiful dram nonetheless.
Ben – This reminds me of the Brenne Estate Cask, something like dried apricot. Candied apricot. This isn’t subtle, it’s elegant.
Michael – It’s a nice good Irish whiskey. Certainly elevated over the Redbreast 12. It has that cherry and caramel and vanilla on the nose, it’s a good smooth journey. I really like it.
