Redbreast 12 year old Irish Whiskey

I tasted the Redbreast 12 year old Irish whiskey at a whisky show a year before Covid. It was one of those unexpected whiskey discoveries that stays with me. I am not the biggest Irish whiskey drinker, but after one sip of this beautifully balanced single pot still whiskey, I knew I had found something special.

The Redbreast 12 year old Irish whiskey was the bottle that changed my view of Irish whiskey. It encouraged me to explore the category further and discover the incredible depth and character that Irish single pot still whiskey can offer.

What Makes Redbreast 12 year old Special?

The Redbreast 12 year old Irish whiskey is produced by Irish Distillers at the Midleton Distillery in Cork, Ireland. It is a classic example of single pot still Irish whiskey, a style that is unique to Ireland.

Unlike Scotch whisky, which traditionally uses malted barley, single pot still Irish whiskey is made from a combination of malted and unmalted barley. This creates a distinctive flavour profile with a creamy texture, rich fruit notes, and a subtle spicy character.

The whiskey is triple distilled in copper pot stills, a process that helps create the smooth and approachable style Irish whiskey is famous for.

The Story Behind Redbreast Irish Whiskey

The history of Redbreast is as interesting as the whiskey itself. The brand was created by Gilbey’s, a Dublin spirits merchant, using whiskey sourced from Jameson Irish Whiskey’s Bow Street Distillery.

The first official mention of “Redbreast” dates back to 1912, when Gilbey’s sold “Redbreast J.J. Liqueur Whiskey”. The name was inspired by the robin redbreast bird, chosen by Gilbey’s chairman, who was an enthusiastic birdwatcher.

In the 1980s, the Redbreast brand was acquired by Irish Distillers and relaunched in 1991. Over time it became one of the most respected names in Irish whiskey.

Today, the Redbreast range includes several expressions, including the Redbreast 15 year old, Lustau Edition, finished in sherry casks from Bodegas Lustau as well as a 21 year old and a 27 year old. Each expression builds on the signature Redbreast character of rich fruit, spice, and creamy sweetness.

Redbreast 12 Year Old Maturation

The Redbreast 12 year old whiskey is matured in a combination of first-fill Oloroso sherry casks and ex-bourbon barrels. This combination gives the whiskey its distinctive balance between sweet fruit flavours, toasted oak, spice, and nutty richness.

The sherry casks bring depth and layers of dried fruit, while the bourbon barrels add vanilla sweetness and a soft oak influence.

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Redbreast 12 year old Irish Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Yellow gold

NOSE: The first impression is beautifully fruity and inviting. Sweet ripe red berries combine with toasted nuts, banana, and fresh pear. There are also hints of vanilla, gentle spice, and freshly baked sugar cookies.

The aroma is vibrant and welcoming, making Redbreast 12 an easy whiskey to enjoy, whether you are new to Irish whiskey or a seasoned whisky drinker.

PALATE: The palate is where Redbreast 12 year old really shines. It has a luxurious, creamy mouthfeel with layers of fruit salad sweetness, marzipan, roasted nuts, and toasted oak. The influence of the sherry casks is clear, adding rich red berry flavours, while pepper and ginger spice provide balance and prevent the sweetness from becoming too heavy.

The Redbreast is a whiskey that feels generous and satisfying without being overwhelming. If you add water, go carefully. A drop or two is enough. Too much water can soften the vibrant fruit character and reduce some of the sweetness that makes this whiskey so enjoyable.

FINISH: The finish is long and warming, with lingering creamy sweetness, lemon peel, gentle pepper spice, and a final touch of oak.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Redbreast 12 year old Irish whiskey is an excellent introduction to the world of Irish single pot still whiskey. It may not have the intense complexity of some older expressions, but it delivers a memorable combination of fruit, spice, creaminess, and rich sherry influence.

For me, this was the whiskey that opened the door to exploring more Irish releases. It is an ideal late-summer-afternoon dram, smooth, flavourful, and easy to appreciate.

The older Redbreast expressions take this character even further. Having tasted both the Redbreast Lustau Edition and the Redbreast 15 year old, I can confirm that the journey only becomes more interesting as the range develops. If you enjoy fruity Scotch whiskies, bourbon with vanilla sweetness, or rich sherry-aged malts, Redbreast 12 year old Irish whiskey deserves a place on your whisky shelf.

It is not the cheapest Irish whiskey available, but worth the few extra pounds. I have seen it on Amazon.

I have done a “Best Irish Whiskey: 9 Whiskies to try” list and the Redbreast made it onto the list.

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