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.
Glen Grant 15 Year
Glen Grant was founded by James and John Grant, two brothers who had previously made whisky illegally but were finally granted a license in 1840. The Grant family had a number of successful generations that followed to expand the business and even though primary ownership eventually passed out of the family, they still maintain a stake in the company. The Campari Group owns the distillery now and it is one of largest selling single malts in the world, with an annual output of 5.9 million liters. Four tall, slender pot stills create a core line of six single malts – though a good deal also goes into Chivas blends – that features 5 age expressions, including this Glen Grant 15, that range from 10 to 21 years old.
Tamdhu 15 Year
Tamdhu distillery was founded in 1896 in the Speyside village of Knockando, Scotland. Much of the next century passed without note, including some periods of dormancy related to war and supply shut off, and it wasn’t until the 1970s that more investments were made to increase production output. It is the last distillery in Scotland to use a Saladin box in production. Currently able to produce 4.5 million liters a year, most of the Tamdhu spirit is used in blended scotches like The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. However, some single malts do escape. This Tamdhu 15 is, like all their single malts, completely matured in ex-sherry casks.