Welcome to the family: Redbreast 18 claims a seat at the table

Redbreast 18 has been revealed as the famous whiskey family’s new middle child

When the latest addition to the Redbreast family landed, fans took a sharp breath. It’s hard to convey just how strong a connection this triple-distilled single pot still whiskey has with its Irish and international fans. 

Redbreast is, without doubt, the most revered and suitably awarded whiskey on the Irish landscape. It offers a drinking experience that many consider to be their touchstone pour. 

Casks

At the core of the Redbreast range is meticulous maturation in ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, with diversions among the family bringing not just age but also port casks, additional sherry casks, and varying ABV levels to diversify a whiskey that has stood the test of time.

While the new addition, the Redbreast 18, must shoulder its status as a middle child, it is likely to climb the clan’s hierarchy quickly.

Like its siblings, it begins with an ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry maturation, but this is made more complex and flavour-packed with the addition of maturation in cream sherry and ruby port casks. 

Cream sherry is a sweet wine generally a blend of sherries such as oloroso, Pedro Ximenez, or palo cortado. The generic term in Spanish for cream sherry is Dulce, referring to its sweetness and thick consistency. 

It brings an extra layer of richness to an already smooth and pot still creamy whiskey. Double cream might be a good nickname for this 18-year-old. 

Maturation

Age is the next signifier, with its 18 years of official maturation. Most of the Redbreast range contains parcels of whiskey older than the stated age, as regulations require only the youngest whiskey in a bottle to be referenced.

For example, the 15-year-old release has whiskey from 15 to 19 years within it but, officially, is only a 15-year-old. While Irish Distillers hasn’t yet released details on that information, we can presume that it has repeated its mixture of aged whiskey within the bottle as a working method. 

The next layer of complexity in the 18-year-old is a portion of a ruby-port-matured pot still. Port has significantly impacted Redbreast in recent years, with the stellar 27-year-old edition having a portion of ruby port at its core.

In contrast, the airport-only Cuatro Barriles edition includes a tawny port in its four-cask maturation.

Redbreast 18 is bottled at 46%; that sweet spot ABV matches the palate of many whiskey drinkers. All the typical oak wood, vanilla, and dark fruit of the Redbreast DNA are here but elevated with a more herbal profile, lots of tannins, and deep chocolate notes.

The people behind this pour are betting on a committed customer base, revelling in the possibilities of something new but instantly familiar. It’s a heady mix of ambition to push Redbreast ever further. 

Official tasting notes Redbreast 18

Aroma

On the nose of this delicious 18-year-old single-pot still, you’ll discover blackcurrants, raspberries, cherries, chocolate, and caramel, as well as lots of oak, almonds, and cinnamon.

Palate

The traditional full-mouth feel of Redbreast takes prominence on the palate, with lots of sweet grapes, dark fruits, spiced ginger, and liquorice lying deep within elegant oak and citrus notes.

Finish

Rich and lasting, the pot still spices, fruit, and oak slowly fade harmoniously, showcasing the balance of this wonderfully complex whiskey.

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